Since the pandemic of Covid shut much of the world down, there have been a great many changes to practice and qualifying for NASCAR drivers.

With the multiple hour long practice sessions a thing of the past, NASCAR has been dividing the Cup Series drivers up into two groups with a short 15 to 20 minute practice session and qualifying.  The top five drivers from each group move on to a second round of qualifying to determine the pole and the remainder of the top 10.

In 2024, the remainder of the starting lineup will resemble the format from the Duel Races at Daytona.  The drivers from group A will form the outside row and the drivers from group B will determine the inside row.

For the superspeedway tracks of Daytona and Talladega – minus the Daytona 500  – the drivers will not be divided up; all of the drivers will make a qualifying run with the top 10 moving on to a second round.

Atmospheric conditions can change track conditions throughout a qualifying run and officials are hoping to eliminate some of the variances with the new format.

Group assignments will continue to be determined by the performance metrics set up by NASCAR –
15% – fastest lap time position
25% – drivers final race finish position
25% – owners final race finish position
35% – owner points position

Driver metrics do not transfer – if there is a driver change from one week to the next – the new driver will have his fastest lap and finish position set at 41.


Other rule changes for 2024:

In the Xfinity Series, officials are employing a money saving measure in relation to backup cars…

Teams with one or two cars may have a single backup car that is fully prepared if needed.  For teams with three or four cars, they may have two backup cars but only one of them can be fully prepared and ready to go.  However, teams will only be allowed to have a single engine for both cars.

These restrictions will not be in play when qualifying and the race are just two hours apart and when west coast races are back to back.

Also in relation to those same backup cars, teams must designate a single solid colour for the season and the decals will be applied when necessary.


Offering Cup Series teams an additional outlet for sponsors, NASCAR is allowing teams to place LED signs on their pit boxes.  The signs must fit within the size of the pit boxes, must come with dimmer switches, and may not change its display during green flag laps.


Pit crews in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series will have smaller fuel cans this season – moving from an eleven gallon to nine gallon cans.  With a smaller fuel can, the weight of each can will drop 15 to 16 pounds.  Officials will have 100 new fuel cans available and new templates will be available to refit the current fuel cans.

Despite the numerous penalties last season for infractions during the inspection process, NASCAR will not be making any changes for 2024; however, the inspectors will be getting some new upgraded equipment; while others will be refurbished.

NASCAR is also in the process of creating a “war room” at their facility in Concord, North Carolina to aid in the officiating process at the tracks.  It will also serve as a training facility for future race-control officials.