TULSA, Okla. (February 18, 2016) The rules that govern the American Sprint Car Series have been updated for the coming 2016 season.
Among the biggest change is the introduction of the Heat Race and Qualifier system into the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour for events with 40 cars or more in attendance. Much like the format utilized in qualifying nights with the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, events that boast such a high car count will see the Top 32 in Heat Race passing points advance into four Qualifiers with each of those again counting for passing points. Those points will then be combined, and the Top 16 will advance into the night’s A Feature. The remainder will fall into twin B Features, or a trio if car counts warrant.
The format option with Qualifiers was discussed with Owners and Drivers at the 2015 Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals with all parties supporting the move to give the driver’s more options to race their way into the show.
Another change comes in the format for two night show for all of ASCS that the Top 4 lock-in drivers from the first night will draw for positions one through four, with the following night’s Top 4 in Passing Points drawing for positions five through eighth. On single night shows, the draw will be for positions one through eight.
In regards to the position of the initial start, the line or cone will now be placed down from Turn 4 in order to allow the front row to be straight, and even, when they come to the start. The starting point is based on the size of the track and will be pointed out during the Driver’s Meeting. This was done in order to give the drivers a more even starting surface, as well as give officials a better vantage point.
Full format rules read as follows:
Section 2 – Qualifying Procedures
(National Tour Specific, For 39 Cars or Less. Regional Tour Format Only)
Section 2A – Qualifying Procedures
(National Tour Specific, for 40 cars or more.)
Another change to the rules relates to the use of Provisionals on the National Tour with Provisionals no longer counting towards A Feature points, but only B Feature points will a set amount allowed per driver now removed. The use of Provisionals are still based on Owner Points, with a maximum of two points based Provisionals per night.
Continuing on the subject of provisional, a provision that is rarely used, the Promoter’s Provisional, allowed any promoter to put two drivers of their choice into the A Feature for money only, no additional points. That has been reduced to a single driver, with the other position no reserved for events co-sanctioned with ASCS Regions. The rule reads as follows:
Provisional: National drivers that have run 80% of the National events are eligible for a provisional. There are events that Provisionals will not be allowed. ASCS officials will notify teams of these events (Example: Dirt Cup and the ASCS Knoxville Nationals). The driver highest in owner points, not making the show, has first choice at a provisional and then the second and on down. No more than two points based Provisionals will be allowed per night. Points based Provisionals award full payout for the position earned at the close of the A-Feature, but only award B Feature points (65). Any team who has competed in 80% of the year’s events, and is in good standing is not limited on the number of points based Provisionals per year they may use. These are in place to help teams get down the road. Any promoter will be allowed to add any car that they wish. At co-sanctioned events with an ASCS Region, the highest finishing non-transfer driver in Regional standings that has attended 100% of that Region’s schedule shall be given a provisional into the night’s A-Feature. Provisional rules apply to National Tour races only.
Clarification of point fund eligibility has also been added as well as clarification of rules relating to Tow Money on both the Regional, if applicable, and National Tour.
Engine, Car, and Tire rules will remain unchanged for the 2016 season.
The complete set of rules for the American Sprint Car Series can be found at http://www.ascsracing.com/series-info/rules.aspx
For continued updates on the American Sprint Car Series, from the Regional tours to the National Tour, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
ASCS Online:
American Sprint Car Series: http://www.ascsracing.com
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Audio Broadcast: http://www.racinboys.com
Live Scoring (Where Applicable): http://www.ascsracing.com/live and the Race Monitor App
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV Motorsports Network is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix. All Heat Races are brought to you by ButlerBuilt Professional Seating Systems. All B-Features are presented by BMRS.
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, LucasOilRacing.tv, and General Tire.
Communications for the American Sprint Car Series is provided by Racing Electronics. All events are broadcast online at http://www.racinboys.com.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, KSE Racing Products, Fuel Safe, DMI Rear Ends, BMRS, SpeedMart, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Maxwell Industries, Simpson, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley’s Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection.
