NASCAR, in a manner, is taking notes from F1’s previous playbook. The American inventory automobile collection lately renewed its long-standing partnership with Comcast, and as a part of the brand new deal, the sanctioning physique is introducing the ‘Xfinity Quickest Lap’ level.
Because it stands, the driving force and group who secures the quickest race lap throughout any given points-paying race can be awarded the “bonus level.” The rule spans throughout all three nationwide divisions and will present some further drama in the course of the vital playoff races the place a single level is typically the distinction in advancing ahead or dealing with sure elimination. It should additionally change the best way some rivals strategy the superspeedway races — the place a mega-draft on the proper second is all one must lock down the quickest lap.
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures
The introduction of a bonus level for a quickest lap is reminiscent Components 1’s quickest lap level system (which the collection discontinued going into the 2025 season). However in F1, the purpose was not given to a non-points scorer in the event that they earned the quickest lap. NASCAR has applied no such boundaries, opening it up for any driver who’s eligible for the championship to safe the quickest lap bonus. The one notable ‘guidelines’ are as follows: Within the case of a tie, the driving force who completed the race in a better place can be awarded the bonus level; and Championship 4 drivers will not be awarded the bonus level in the event that they earn the Xfinity Quickest Lap within the title-decider, which is smart as they are not eligible for stage factors both.
For F1, the quickest lap bonus level created controversial moments, equivalent to when drivers who had been utterly out of rivalry would take an additional cease simply to disclaim a rival the bonus level, usually with the objective of serving to their very own teammate. This might definitely occur in NASCAR as effectively with teammates and producer allies paying shut consideration to it in the course of the postseason.
If such a rule had existed final yr in NASCAR, Kyle Larson, who had the quickest lap in 5 races — greater than every other driver that season — might have gained the common season title. Even two of these further 5 factors would have been the distinction, as he misplaced to Tyler Reddick by a single level.
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