Posted February 1, 2021 by Michael Carey Cup News

Recapping NASCAR’s Competition Briefing – Bristol Dirt Race, Field Sizes, NextGen

Dirt being unloaded at Bristol Motor Speedway (PC : @BMSUpdates)

On Monday afternoon, NASCAR releases a slew of new information in a Competition briefing with traveling media members.

The following information is gathered and attributed to respective media members who were in on the call.

Bristol Dirt Race

New information about the much anticipated Bristol Dirt Race will follow similar vocabulary to the Eldora Truck races.

NASCAR confirmed that the Bristol Dirt Race will feature heat races to set the lineup for the final feature. Details such as the format remain TBD.

NASCAR will have heat races to set the lineup for the Bristol dirt race. The format is TBD.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 1, 2021

The Bristol Dirt Race is scheduled to be 250 laps and will go green on Sunday, March 28th at 3:30PM EST on FOX.

Field Sizes

NASCAR is making some new adjustments to the field sizes when it comes to the Xfinity Series and the Camping World Truck Series.

When qualifying is applicable, the field size will be set at 36 entries. However, if qualifying is rained out or if the sanctioning body opts to not schedule it, the field will expand to 40 entries.

Xfinity field size will be 36 when there is qualifying … If qualifying rained out or not scheduled, will be 40 … so that will be 36 for Daytona, COTA, Charlotte-May, Nashville, Indy road course, Road American and Phoenix finale.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 1, 2021

As for the Truck Series, the field size will expand overall from 32 to 36 entries thanks to the increased amount of teams from the past few seasons, particularly this past offseason.

NextGen Cars

As the NextGen car is scheduled to make its on-track debut full-time in 2022, NASCAR has confirmed new details regarding testing and development.

The OEMs, consisting of Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford, have all passed their submission process for their respective NextGen designs.

All three #NASCAR manufacturers have had their designs for their respective Next Gen cars cleared

— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) February 1, 2021

The sanctioning body is anticipating the reveals for each design to begin in the spring. NASCAR will resume testing for the new car at Richmond Raceway from March 16-17. Additionally, each manufacturer will get their car on track at the end of March, at Martinsville.

NASCAR says near the end of March at Martinsville, they hope to have each manufacturer on track with Next Gen car. Expect car unveils in "late spring"

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 1, 2021

COVID Testing

NASCAR will continue to utilize rapid testing in the upcoming season, in an effort to combat the virus.

.@NASCAR will have rapid coronavirus tests at tracks this season for anyone who gets recommended by a doctor to take one, per sources. pic.twitter.com/8zXjhV05DJ

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) February 1, 2021

Loose Ends

NASCAR has also made updates to the rulebook in preparation for 2021. After a number of penalties on pit road were attributed to a simple hand touching the ground of the pit box, NASCAR has changed the ruling.

Should a pit crew member behind the wall reach for a tire, miss it and touch pit road, it will not be a penalty.

NASCAR says if a crew person behind pit wall grabbing a tire, loses balance and puts a hand on pit road, that won't be a penalty this year.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 1, 2021

Both the Busch Clash, and the Daytona Road Course Cup Series race will bring the low downforce package in 2021.