Sports betting had not been quite as competitive or exciting on NASCAR in recent seasons but that could change as NASCAR is making changes. NASCAR is changing some things as they look to “open it up” as NASCAR Chairman Brian France said. The changes will be in effect next month as the NASCAR Internet sports betting season begins with the Daytona 500.
Sports betting had seen TV ratings and attendance on NASCAR drop recently. NASCAR is making changes they hope will reverse those Internet sports betting trends. Sports betting indicated that they have gone from a wing to a spoiler on the race car and they are also going to allow bump-drafting at Daytona and Talladega. They are also going to allow more contact between cars all year long as sports betting noted. “Over the last couple of years, there have been dozes of changes to this car, with this being the most visible change,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition.
Here are the changes that NASCAR is making this sports betting season.
- Allow bump-drafting at Daytona and Talladega.
- Bigger restrictor plate at Daytona
- Replace the rear wing with a spoiler
- Limiting number of crew members on Nationwide Series teams
- Reducing races Nationwide teams run without using a sealed engine
- Putting in double-file restarts for the Camping World Truck Series
Sports betting could be interesting this season on NASCAR. The sport has recognized they needed to make changes. “Safety of the drivers remains paramount in everything we do,” France said. “Over the past 10 years we’ve dramatically increased safety and that mission continues. However, it’s time for us to allow the drivers to drive. We don’t want the rules and regulations to get in the way of great racing and fantastic finishes.”
Some of these changes have already been met with great enthusiasm. “Words can hardly describe how excited I am about the return of bump-drafting,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey. “NASCAR’s decision to put the racing back in the hands of the drivers is sure to have a positive impact on the competition and excitement race fans experience at Talladega.”
The Internet sports betting season for NASCAR begins with the Daytona 500 in early February. That is a restrictor plate race in Internet sports betting so these changes are going to be noticed immediately in sports betting.