By Cole Cusumano

In a year that’s been marred by tragedy, NASCAR has drastically combated adversity and sought to make 2020 a season of progression and experimentation for many aspects of the sport. With the playoffs looming, the sanctioning body continues to innovate and has implemented a new set of rules for the NASCAR Cup Series.

As expected, the starting lineup will now be determined in intricate formulaic-fashion beginning with the Daytona International Speedway road course event. While no one was probably happier than Aric Almirola with the random draws after starting second or higher an astounding six times since the sport’s return, alterations were bound to be implemented before the Playoffs.

In an effort to reward season-long and single-race performances, NASCAR will combine overall the result, points position and fastest lap recorded from the previous event to set the starting grid. Here’s where things get tricky — the driver’s finish will account for 50% of the weighted average, spot in the standings 35% and the quickest time by 15%. Additionally, those in the Playoffs will always compose the top-16 spots and this will begin to dwindle once each round comes to an end.

With this format, it ensures the most deserving teams are awarded for their work ethic and determination throughout the season. It should also be noted that ruling will also extend to the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

“It makes sense,” Joey Logano commented on the new rules. “If all of us competitors can agree that it’s a fair way to set the lineup, I don’t think any fan is really gonna care how it happened as long as we all feel like you earned your starting position, just like we used to.”

The 2018 Champion admits the process may be difficult for fans and the athletes to grasp, but as long as the calculations are computed accurately, this should be the most logistical way to award starting positions.

In a more shocking turn of events, the Choose Rule which debuted in the All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway will go into effect for the remainder of 2020 starting this weekend at Michigan. The only venues this concept will not be applied to are Daytona (Oval and road course) and Talladega Superspeedway.

While it didn’t play much of a factor in the exhibition event, teams will have four attempts to learn and perfect this ruling before the Playoffs. It seems a bit odd to add this just weeks before the postseason with so much on the line, but it’s something drivers have been campaigning for, for years.

Brad Keselowski was one driver who welcomed the long-overdue ruling, but stated he’d wished it would’ve been applied to the lower divisions instead of the Cup Series with the Playoffs looming. Logano, on the other hand, had nothing but praise for NASCAR. 

“I’ve been looking for this for years,” Logano revealed. “It definitely adds another piece to the strategy and even more importantly it has everyone not doing the whole stopping at the end of pit road and letting a car go by because, for one, it’s not safe to stop at the end of pit road for anyone jumping over the wall and having cars swerve like that.  But, two, that’s not racing.  The goal should be in front of whatever car is in front of you, not let one go at the end of pit road so you can have the outside lane or the inside lane.”

There’s no doubt these recent rulings will add yet another layer of strategy to the already complicated algorithm of competing in NASCAR. Whether it was a great idea to implement the Choose Rule just weeks before the Playoffs remains to be seen, but it’s sure to be an experiment well received by the sport’s competitors for the time being.

As for the qualifying format — teams better bring their A-game each week, because only the best of the best will prosper (and rightfully so).