NASCAR unveils Truck Series bonus program, procedural changes

Beginning this season, the Gander Outdoors Truck Series will get a bonus program similar to the “Dash4Cash” program in the Xfinity Series.

The “Triple Truck Challenge” will take place over three consecutive races – Texas (June 7), Iowa (June 15) and Gateway (June 22). All drivers earning series points are eligible.

A driver who wins one of the three races will receive a $50,000 bonus. Winning two races will get a driver $150,000 total ($50,000 per race plus a $50,000 bonus), while a driver who wins all three will receive a total prize of $500,000 ($50,000 per race win, $50,000 bonus for winning twice, plus a $300,000 bonus for sweeping the races).

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series drivers are not eligible to compete in the three races of the program.

In addition to the massive post-race inspection changes, NASCAR officials also outlined several other competition and procedural changes this season.

Among them:

• The debut of the next generation race car is scheduled for the 2021 Daytona 500, with NASCAR’s hope additional manufacturers may be participating by that time. The current engine will be used through at least the 2021 season with 2022 the earliest for an engine update.
• Starting this year, Xfinity Series drivers are no longer able to compete in the Truck Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Drivers who have not declared for Truck Series points will also be ineligible to compete in the “Triple Truck Challenge” races.
• Each national series will once again have a series-specific set of inspectors. There will be 12 officials for the Cup Series, 10 for the Xfinity Series and eight for the Truck Series.
• The first round of qualifying for all three national series has been shortened from 15 minutes to 10. The second round (10 minutes) and third round (five minutes) remain the same. The break between rounds has also been reduced from seven minutes to five. Superspeedway and road course qualifying will remain unchanged.