2/18/2016
ASCS
2016 Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series Rules Updated
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)
Qualifying heat races will be held at all events. Lineups are determined by random pill draw. Draw is held at the close of the Driver’s Meeting. It is the responsibility of the driver, or a team representative to be present for the draw. Any team that fails to draw in will be allowed to start at the tail of a Heat Race, but will receive no Passing Points. Only finishing points. No exceptions will be made (Point scale on Pg. 13).
The car count at the close of the drawing for qualifying heats will determine the number of heats to be run. As each number is drawn for a car, that number will be posted and this procedure will be repeated until a number has been drawn for each car that wishes to compete. The lowest number goes to the pole of the first heat race, the next lowest drawn number goes to the pole of the second heat, etc. Once pole position in each heat is filled, the next lowest number goes to the outside front row of the first heat, etc. If there are an uneven number of cars to equally distribute between heats, the last cars will be placed at the back of the lowest numbered heats. Any cars not represented at the drawing shall be placed at the rear of a heat race. Heat races will determine the starting position for the balance of races scheduled.
The passing point system will be used to determine starting positions in feature events (see below). The driver will receive points for passing as well as finishing position, with the eight drivers accumulating the most points from heat races redrawing for feature starting position (top point earner drawing first, second highest draws next, etc.) and the balance of the "A" Feature and "B" Feature(s) lined straight-up according to passing point totals.
On the second night, cars will lineup with the first night’s lock-ins taking spots 1-4 and will redraw within those spots. The top four in passing points (that were in attendance on the first night) from the second night will occupy spots 5-8 in the A-Feature lineup and will redraw within those spots.
Any driver failing to draw for heat races or pack racing surface (when requested) will not receive passing points, but only points accumulated through his finishing position in his heat race. In the event of a tie in passing points, the driver who first earned the points shall be aligned in front of any subsequent driver earning the same number of points (tie goes to the early heat). Passing points will be figured on the actual starting position on the final parade lap.
Time Trials may be held at some shows.
A car and driver qualify as a team. Each driver can qualify only one car. No driver will be permitted to change cars after taking the green flag of his qualifying heat race. An exception to this rule will be in a two day race.
ASCS or their representative will advise drivers of the make-up of the number of heat races, main events, field maximum size and other pertinent information at the drivers meeting.
The Official lineup is when the caution lights go out on the final parade lap. In the event a car drops out of the line-up for mechanical reasons, the balance of the field shall move straight forward. The exception being if 2 cars drop out from same row, then following cars will be crisscrossed.
The start will be official only upon the starter signaling with the green flag. In the event a pace car is used, all cars shall take their proper position behind it. In the event a pace car is not used, the pole car will set the pace which shall be consistent with track conditions and as required to keep the field in formation. ASCS shall be empowered to disqualify or penalize any driver violating this rule.
A White Line or Cone will be placed off the exit of Turn-4, at a point that the first row is on the front straightaway, for all double-file starts. The field must remain even until the front row reaches the cone or line. The Flag Man will be instructed not to throw the green flag until then. No on track warnings will be given.
On the initial start, any driver who advances position prior to the starter’s signal when the front row reaches the cone or line will be docked two positions at the first caution, red flag, or the end of the race; whichever comes first.
On all single file starts after one lap the restarts will start at a Cone to be placed on the front straight-away. The leader must start race from turn 4 cone and all cars must go outside of cone in the proper aligned order. Leader must set a consistent pace and cannot increase his pace before the entrance of Turn 4. Any car going inside of cone or hitting the cone will force a caution and will be placed at the rear of the field. Any car advancing position prior to the cone will be penalized a minimum of two (2) positions plus one position for each position gained over on the next caution or the end of the race depending on what comes first.
Any car requiring a second push on start or restart of race will be placed at rear. The only exception is if a driver is stopped by an ASCS official. Instructions to stop will be delivered over the RACEceiver Radio.
Any car on or near the racing surface that delays the start or restart of any race shall be penalized one lap by Officials. A work area will be designated at drivers meeting.
Alternates will not be taken to fill any vacancies that occur.
Any car not running at a reasonable racing speed may be subject to disqualification for safety reasons.
The winner of each Heat Race, the winner of any consolation feature, and the top five finishers in the A Feature are required to go to the scales. Drivers must go directly to the scales. Any driver not going directly to the scales will be disqualified. The position of the scales will be disclosed during the drivers meeting. It is the responsibility of the drivers to know and understand where and how to get to the scales to avoid any penalties.
Section 2A - Qualifying Procedures
(National Tour Specific, for 40 cars or more.)
Qualifying heat races will be held at all events. Lineups are determined by random pill draw. Draw is held at the close of the Driver’s Meeting. Any driver failing to draw for heat races or pack racing surface (when requested) will not receive passing points, but only points accumulated through his finishing position in his heat race. (Point scale on Pg. 13)
The car count at the close of the drawing for qualifying heats will determine the number of heats to be run. As each number is drawn for a car, that number will be posted and this procedure will be repeated until a number has been drawn for each car that wishes to compete. The lowest number goes to the pole of the first heat race, the next lowest drawn number goes to the pole of the second heat, etc. Once pole position in each heat is filled, the next lowest number goes to the outside front row of the first heat, etc. If there are an uneven number of cars to equally distribute between heats, the last cars will be placed at the back of the lowest numbered heats. Again, any cars not represented at the drawing shall be placed at the rear of a heat race. Heat races will determine the starting position for the balance of races scheduled.
The passing point system will be used to determine lineups for four (4) Qualifying Races.
Top 32 in Passing Points from Heat Races will move into Qualifiers. Remainder will fall to the tail of the night’s “B” Features. Top 16 will be inverted with the highest point earner from Heat Races starting fourth in the first Qualifier. Qualifiers will be 8 laps each. Passing Points will be utilized with the driver’s total points combined with their Heat Race total. The top 16 in combined Passing Points will advance to the A-Feature. Drivers will not redraw for their starting position. Lineup is straight up by the combined Passing Point total. The remainder will fall into B-Features. Number of B-Features is dependent upon the number of cars. 40-50 cars means remaining drivers will drop into two “B” Features. 51-60 will drop into three “B” Features. Lineup will be done by passing point totals with 17th going to the pole of the first “B” Feature, 18th to the pole of the second “B” Feature, etc.
Any driver failing to draw for heat races or pack racing surface (when requested) will not receive passing points, but only points accumulated through his finishing position in his heat race. In the event of a tie in passing points, the driver who first earned the points shall be aligned in front of any subsequent driver earning the same number of points (tie goes to the early heat). Passing points will be figured on the actual starting position on the final parade lap.
Time Trials may be held at some shows.
A car and driver qualify as a team. Each driver can qualify only one car. No driver will be permitted to change cars after taking the green flag of his qualifying heat race. An exception to this rule will be in a two day race.
ASCS or their representative will advise drivers of the make-up of the number of heat races, main events, field maximum size and other pertinent information at the drivers meeting.
The Official lineup is when the caution lights go out on the final parade lap. In the event a car drops out of the line-up for mechanical reasons, the balance of the field shall move straight forward. The exception being if 2 cars drop out from same row, then following cars will be crisscrossed.
The start will be official only upon the starter signaling with the green flag. In the event a pace car is used, all cars shall take their proper position behind it. In the event a pace car is not used, the pole car will set the pace which shall be consistent with track conditions and as required to keep the field in formation. ASCS shall be empowered to disqualify or penalize any driver violating this rule.
A White Line or Cone will be placed off the exit of Turn-4, at a point that the first row is on the front straightaway, for all double-file starts. The field must remain even until the front row reaches the cone or line. The Flag Man will be instructed not to throw the green flag until then. No on track warnings will be given.
On the initial start, any driver who advances position prior to the starter’s signal when the front row reaches the cone or line will be docked two positions at the first caution, red flag, or the end of the race; whichever comes first.
On all single file starts after one lap the restarts will start at a Cone to be placed on the front straight-away. The leader must start race from turn 4 cone and all cars must go outside of cone in the proper aligned order. Leader must set a consistent pace and cannot increase his pace before the entrance of Turn 4. Any car going inside of cone or hitting the cone will force a caution and will be placed at the rear of the field. Any car advancing position prior to the cone will be penalized a minimum of two (2) positions plus one position for each position gained over on the next caution or the end of the race depending on what comes first.
Any car requiring a second push on start or restart of race will be placed at rear. The only exception is if a driver is stopped by an ASCS official. Instructions to stop will be delivered over the RACEceiver Radio.
Any car on or near the racing surface that delays the start or restart of any race shall be penalized one lap by Officials. A work area will be designated at drivers meeting.
Alternates will not be taken to fill any vacancies that occur.
Any car not running at a reasonable racing speed may be subject to disqualification for safety reasons.
The winner of each Heat Race, Qualifier, any consolation feature, and the top five finishers in the A Feature are required to go to the scales. Drivers must go directly to the scales. Any driver not going directly to the scales will be disqualified. The position of the scales will be disclosed during the drivers meeting. It is the responsibility of the drivers to know and understand where and how to get to the scales to avoid any penalties.
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.
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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.
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert
