• 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.

GoChiefs;1343933 wrote:Skinner has just been racing a very limited schedule. Only 1 start in the Trucks in 2012, and 4 in the Sprint.

Ironman92;1344059 wrote:I knew he was one of the bottom half guys in NASCAR for some years but was pretty big in the truck series. His wife graduated two years before me from Jackson.....smokin

GoChiefs;1344069 wrote:

Ironman92;1344141 wrote:Hot cheerleader in high school.....she is 40 now. Is that pic from her FB?

Classyposter58;1344224 wrote:That race is going to be an absolute demolition derby

GoChiefs;1344230 wrote:Considering most drivers come from a dirt background, I don't think it will be too bad.

ts1227;1344799 wrote:I think it'll fall somewhere in between. They have the dirt background, but they aren't used to drifting around with something with a HUGE ass end on it like a truck. They're used to those trucks staying in line.

GoChiefs;1344893 wrote:I'm sure they will have more practices than usual to be able to get used to it though.

Enforcer;1344956 wrote:Why isnt Dodge going to be running in the series this year?

ts1227;1344799 wrote:I think it'll fall somewhere in between. They have the dirt background, but they aren't used to drifting around with something with a HUGE ass end on it like a truck. They're used to those trucks staying in line.

Classyposter58;1345088 wrote:Hopefully these new cars are better at passing than the previous COT, that thing was boring

GoChiefs;1343893 wrote:Figured I'd start it before the Apocalypse came and it was too late. Some more changes in 2013.

• 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.

Significant Driver changes for 2013
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.