NASCAR insider claims new rule change “cheapen” Daytona 500 qualifying
Senior NASCAR Journalist Bob Pockrass has shared the negatives about the Open Exemption Provisional introduced by NASCAR for 2025.
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2024 Daytona 500 (Via Forbs)
The 2025 NASCAR Cup season opener is getting more eyeballs than ever with the long entry list for the Daytona 500. The sanctioning body has also made some serious rule changes going into the upcoming season, with the introduction OEP being the primary source of controversy. The change is introduced to help racers from other championships to perform better in the Cup.
The Open Exemption Provisional gives the drivers, that are termed as significant contributor coming from other arcing series, a slot in the line-yup regardless of their qualifying status. Four times Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves might become the first racer to use it as he is set to make NASCAR debut with Trackhouse at Daytona.
Senior NASCAR Journalist Bob Pockrass isn’t a big fan of this rule change as though it does bring eyeballs to the sport it will cheapen how the drivers get into the race. He also revealed that the primary objective of the rule change is to help NASCAR races interactionally, as star drivers of the country is guaranteed a spot when NASCAR goes there.
This rule might cheapen the driver getting into the race, but it does bring eyeballs. Plus, it sets up a mechanism so when NASCAR races internationally, like it will this year in Mexico City, that a star driver from that country could be guaranteed a spot to compete.
Bob Pockrass wrote on his Fox Sports.
Bob Pockrass explains why Helio Castroneves will want to qualify to Daytona 500 over OEP
In the same discussion, Bob Pockrass highlighted that Helio Castroneves might not be wanting to enter Daytona 500 as the 41st entry using OEP. Taking advantage of the provision will lead to financial loss to the team as they are removed from the purse sharing.
He’ll want to make it naturally because qualifying his way in means that Trackhouse would get the purse money. If a team is granted that 41st spot if it doesn’t qualify for the race with a star driver from another series, it won’t get the dollars.
Bob Pockrass wrote.
Not just the financial factor, but the competition factor would also push a driver like Castroneves to fight to secure direct qualifying. He is capable and established driver, so making it to the starting line-up because of rules and not on merit will be blow for his ego.
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Justin P Joy
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