- The big one being the new car. From what it sounds like so far, the drivers are really liking it. They head to Daytona to test January 10-12.
- Dodge will be absent from the series this year. Will they be able to put something together for 2014?
- Penske swaps from Dodge to Ford.
- After banning testing in '08, NASCAR will again allow a driver to test at 4 NASCAR sanctioned tracks in '13.
- NASCAR has removed the Top 35 qualifying rule that was implemented in 2005. The top 36 starting positions will be set by qualifying speed. Positions 37 to 42 will be set by provisionals (based off owners points). Similar to previous seasons, the forty-third position will be given to the most recent series champion who didn't qualify on time or the next available team in owner's points. Unlike in previous years, the previous years' Owners points will only be used for the first three races of a season instead of five. Also, NASCAR instituted a random draw to determine qualifying order instead of inverting the first practice speeds. NASCAR stated the change was made due to teams manipulating their first practice run to get a later qualifying draw.
- The change that I'm most excited about, NASCAR announced that the Craftsman Truck Series will race in the dirt at Eldora! That's going to be a must see.
Danica Patrick will run full time in the Cup Series in the #10 car of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Kevin Harvick says 2013 will be his last season at RCR.
Kurt Busch gets probably one last chance as he will be behind the wheel of the #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet. He will look to build on his season ending 3 straight Top 10's.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will move up from the Nationwide Series and get behind the wheel of the #17 Ford at Roush Fenway.
Matt Kenseth will now drive the #20 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing.
Joey Logano gets his shot wheeling the #22 Pennzoil Ford at Penske.