NASCAR Mailbag - TV coverage and encumbered finishes

I have been a NASCAR Fan, and Licensed NASCAR Pit Crew Member. I have been wondering why the Truck Series races are all so short. With the stages this year, each segment is, take Pocono for example, 15 laps with the 3rd segment being 30 laps. Is there a specific reason NASCAR has made their races so short? 

Keith, Originally, the short races were to save money. That's why when the Truck series first started, the races had halftime breaks so teams would not all be forced to employ pit crews. Over time, NASCAR has changed the rules to make the series run more in line with Xfinity and Cup but the length of the races have generally remained the same. – Jim Utter

Why is it that during the race there is so much focus on the front runners? Lots of interesting things going on back in the pack guys! Sixty-year fan and follower of NASCAR. Would like to see more than just the front! Thanks guys. Keep up the good work. 

Hi '60-year fan,' generally, the leader of the race draws the most focus. With the use of Stages, even more focus is placed on those running up front because they have more opportunities now throughout the race to earn accomplishments such as Stage points and playoff points. On the other side, often some of the most competitive racing can be found further in the back. Even if TV doesn't show much of the "field" it wouldn't hurt to at least talk about some of those competitors. – Jim Utter

Why can’t they go ahead and award points for the ten regular series driver positions even though they may be drivers from the premier series mixed in? They could make a rule saying that you still have to be in the top half of the overall field running order but give points for 12th or 15th. If there were 5 premier series drivers in front of them in the running order at the end of the stage. I think fans would feel less that these drivers are cheating guys out of points this way with this type of a points award system. 

Thanks Ed for your question. I understand your idea, but I don't think the points system needs to be made any more complicated. Generally, people watching the races as they take place aren't concerned with points or how they are collected. They are focused more on the actual competition. In reality, even awarding points to just series regulars wouldn't change much. Some getting none now would earn a few but the ones already in the top 10 would earn even more so the gap between those drivers would still be essentially the same. – Jim Utter

Why do they let the win stand when the car does not past post-race inspection? I feel that the win should be taken away and they get 0 points. 

Linda, NASCAR has long believed that fans who pay to sit in the stands and go to a race, or even watch one on TV, deserve to know the winner at its conclusion. With a current inspection process that doesn't end for some teams (especially the winner) until a trip to the R&D Center after the race, that is simply not feasible at this time. – Jim Utter

Joey Logano’s win was ”encumbered” and doesn’t count. Kyle Busch has had how many penalties this season for missing or loose lug nuts including this past race at Pocono, which he won. I lost count. Why is this win not “encumbered”? 

Michael, while I don’t believe a car that fails tech for something egregious should not retain the win, NASCAR takes a different take on the situation. The sanctioning body has established a deterrence model with penalty options for different infractions. One missing lug nut is a monetary fine. Three missing lug nuts leads to an encumbered finish. Any Level 1 or 2 penalty detected in post-race inspection is an automatic encumbered result. In addition, a Level 1 penalty might include the loss of 10 to 40 points, a fine of $25,000 to $75,000 and the loss of the crew chief or one to three races. A Level 2 penalty is the loss of 75 points, $100,000 to $200,000 penalty and crew chief suspension of six races at the Cup level. The monetary fines for the NXS tour is half of Cup. Truck fines are half of NXS.

Level 1 infractions include altering a certified chassis, fuel storage, gear ratios, minimum weight, heights, less than 17 lug nuts and failing the LIS (Laser Inspection Station). Level 2 penalties include use of traction control or telemetry, altering the engine, EFI or tires, use of combustion enhancing additives, safety elements and not adhering to the testing policy. – Lee Spencer