NASCAR clarifies, expands testing policy for 2015

In the first edition of an interactive online rulebook, NASCAR has provided clarity on its revamped testing procedures for the 2015 Sprint Cup season.

While teams will be prohibited from testing independently, there will be 12 Goodyear tire tests (with four teams apiece) that will be followed by a one-day open test that will allow one car per organization. Attendance isn't mandatory, and teams must indicate their attendance at least three weeks ahead. If a multicar organization has participated in the preceding tire test, it must use the same driver and team in the open test.

The Goodyear tests will be held with a rotating set of three groups of four full-time teams. The first group comprises Stewart-Haas Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske. The second group: Richard Childress Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing. The third group: Hendrick Motorsports, Furniture Row Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and BK Racing.

NASCAR also will hold "Rule Change Open Tests" in which all teams are allowed to "familiarize themselves with any rule changes from previous race seasons." The sessions will be limited to one "per racetrack grouping" (i.e. short tracks, road courses, speedways). A four-hour session Feb. 26 at Atlanta Motor Speedway (a 1.5-mile superspeedway) is the only Rule Change Open Test scheduled so far for the 2015 season, which will feature lower downforce and horsepower.

While any other tests are banned for existing teams, the 2015 rulebook allows "New Organization Testing" for those "new to NASCAR to establish themselves." Those teams will be allowed five two-day tests at any track and must be approved by NASCAR. The rulebook defines a "New Organization" as a team that hasn't competed in more than 20 races or two seasons, whichever is first. Teams absent from a circuit for five years also can qualify for new organization status.

The Goodyear tests are closed to the public and the news media. The news media will be allowed at open tests, and the public will be permitted access at each track's discretion.

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The online rulebook, which is split into a 21-section rulebook and a parts database with car specifications, includes a new section under "Entries" entitled "Performance Obligations" that clarifies the "100% rule" implemented in the wake of the manipulation scandal involving the Sept. 2013 race at Richmond International Raceway.

Per the rulebook: "NASCAR requires its Competitor(s) to race at 100% of their ability with the goal of achieving their best possible finishing position in the Event. Any Competitor(s) who takes action with the intent to Artificially Alter the finishing positions of the Event or encourages, persuades or induces others to Artificially Alter the finishing positions of the Event shall be subject to a penalty from NASCAR. Such penalties may include but are not limited to, disqualification and/or loss of finishing positions and/or fines and/or loss of points and/or suspension and/or probation to any and all Members of the team(s) including any beneficiaries of the prohibited actions. '"Artificially Alter' shall be defined as actions by any Competitor(s) that show or suggest that the Competitor(s) did not race at 100% of their ability for the purpose of changing finishing positions in the Event, in NASCAR's sole discretion."

Here is the testing schedule for the 2015 season:

--Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jan. 19: Goodyear test with Stewart-Haas Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Team Penske.

--Atlanta Motor Speedway, Feb. 26: A four-hour test open to any entry in the March 1 race.

--Atlanta, March 2-3: Goodyear test with Richard Childress Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing.

--Charlotte Motor Speedway, March 10: Goodyear test with Hendrick Motorsports, Furniture Row Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, BK Racing. March 11: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Richmond International Raceway, April 7: Goodyear test with SHR, JTGD, JGR, Penske. April 8: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Kentucky Speedway, April 13-14: RCR, Ganassi, Roush Fenway, MWR. April 15: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Indianapolis Motor Speedway, April 27-28: Hendrick, FRR, RPM, BK Racing. April 29: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Dover International Speedway, May 11-12: SHR, JTGD, JGR, Penske. May 13: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Darlington Raceway, June 9-10: RCR, Ganassi, Roush Fenway, MWR. June 11: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Chicagoland Speedway, July 13-14: Hendrick, FRR, RPM, BK Racing. July 15: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Bristol Motor Speedway, July 28-29: SHR, JTGD, JGR, Penske. July 30: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Homestead Miami-Speedway, Aug. 24-25: RCR, Ganassi, Roush Fenway, MWR. Aug. 26: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Kansas Speedway, Sept. 14-15: Hendrick, FRR, RPM, BK Racing. Sept. 16: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Phoenix International Raceway, Oct. 12-13: SHR, JTGD, JGR, Penske. Oct. 14: A test open to one car from any organization.

--Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, Calif.), Oct. 27-28: RCR, Ganassi Roush Fenway, MWR. Oct. 29: A test open to one car from any organization.

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