NASCAR: Limits on Cup stars in Xfinity/Trucks "on our radar” for 2017

While the Cup drivers can still take the cash and trophies, over the last few years the sanctioning body instituted rules that allow only full-time NXS and Camping World Truck drivers to earn championship points.

Now it appears NASCAR will take further action when it comes to limiting which races Cup drivers can run in throughout the season.

“It’s certainly is on our radar,” NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said on SiriusXM Radio on Monday. “We’ve heard our fans. It’s interesting. It’s been a balance throughout the years. We’ve always had Sprint Cup drivers come into the Xfinity Series — and sometimes dominate, (as) in the Mark Martin days.

“As the sport has evolved, we have more of a fan following in the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series. They like seeing those drivers come up through the ranks, and it’s our job to make sure that Xfinity is where names are made. We’ve got to do on that on the racetrack.

“That is something we’re taking a really hard look at for next year. I’d say stay tuned. We’re going to look at that and probably have something to announce fairly soon.’’

Introduction of a Chase format in lower divisions

The introduction of a Chase format in the NXS and truck series has radically changed the dynamic of the championship format. Although NASCAR forbids Cup drivers who qualified for the previous year’s Chase to compete in the NXS and truck series finales at Homestead, it certainly diminishes the suspense in playoff races — and the cut-off event— when a Cup driver wins instead of a tour regular. Six of the eight truck Chasers won races to qualify. Kyle Busch took some of the fun out of Chicagoland when he won a race that could have potentially changed the complexion of the Chase grid.

Although Cup drivers, teams and track owners have argued that having marquee names is a selling point to sponsors--not to mention a drawing card for spectators--Busch winning half of the four truck races he’s entered, and on Saturday, earning his ninth Xfinity victory in 16 starts, is not sitting well with the fans.

Or when Cup regulars win 19 of the first 30 races in the 2016 NXS season.

While the competitors claim that racing against Busch — and other full-time Cup racers — ups their skill level, that can only be acceptable for as long as there are not championship implications.