NHRA officials announced changes to the 2013 NHRA Oildown Policy for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. The most significant policy change is the elimination of points penalties during the season-ending Countdown to the Championship six-race playoffs. Participants qualifying for the Countdown begin the playoffs with one credit, and points penalties will be waived during the final six events. Monetary fines remain in effect for the entire 24-race season.
In order to continue to deter oildowns at national events, the NHRA has increased the monetary fines associated with oildowns: the fine for a first violation at an event will increase to $1,500 in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, with subsequent violations at the same event doubling to $3,000; monetary fines for Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will remain the same as 2012: $1,000 for first-time offenders and $2,000 for all subsequent violations at the same event.
In addition to the fines, teams will also lose championship points in all races except the final six. Points penalties remain the same as 2012: first violations result in a loss of five points during qualifying, and first violations during eliminations result in a loss of 10 points. Subsequent violations at the same event will result in each team losing 10 points during qualifying and 20 points during eliminations.
The 2013 NHRA Oildown Policy is available at: www.nhra.com/UserFiles/File/2013Oildownpolicy.pdf.
The NHRA also announced that the in-season testing policy has been discontinued. Since 2009, Top Fuel and Funny Car teams were allowed six test days during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. During the off-season, team owners asked NHRA to reconsider the limitations, and as a result and beginning in 2013, there will be no in-season testing policy.
Get ready for the 2013 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season at www.nhra.com.
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