TMS' Gossage comments on double-file restarts

STATEMENT FROM TMS PRESIDENT EDDIE GOSSAGE REGARDING NASCAR'S MOVE TO DOUBLE-FILE RESTARTS

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 4, 2009) NASCAR today announced a change to its Sprint Cup Series race format with the addition of "Double-File Restarts Shootout Style" throughout each race. Beginning this weekend at Pocono, the first- and second-place drivers will line up side-by-side as well as the rest of the field as the green flag waves for each restart. The format will be adapted for the Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series in the near future. Under the previous format, cars on the lead lap would restart in a single-file line while cars that had been lapped would start in a line next to them.

Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage applauded the move: "Give NASCAR credit on this one. We should do everything possible to make races more exciting for the fans so this is an easy call. These are the best drivers in the world so they should be able to safely engage in double-file restarts. It will certainly tighten up the field so the fans should love it. We look forward to this heightening the excitement of the racing for our NASCAR triple-header in November, especially the Dickies 500 Chase for the Sprint Cup event.

-credit: tms