On June 7, 2009, 16 years ago, NASCAR underwent a significant transformation by introducing a new rule that altered the sport’s operations, hoping to improve the competition. They also did it to satisfy the fans by providing more entertainment while watching the race.
When Bill Weber Announced the Game-Changing Cup Rule of NASCAR
The announcement for the rule change began with the late Bill Weber, former NASCAR broadcaster, saying, “And it’s a ride that starts with a history-making day. NASCAR is making a major rule change in the middle of the season, a change designed to increase the competition for the drivers and make for even more excitement for the fans.
“It’s a double-file restarts, shootout style with the lead lap cars up front and side by side. Will it make it more exciting?”
Then came the follow-up by Wally Dallenbach, a former Cup driver, “Yes, it will. I mean, I’ve ripped into NASCAR plenty about some of the decisions they’ve made, but this is a great one. The timing is right. They’re listening to the fans and the competitors. This is going to make the show more exciting.”
June 7, 2009: NASCAR introduced double-file restarts to the Cup Series during a race at Pocono
Before that, lead-lap cars restarted on the outside lane and lap-down cars on the inside pic.twitter.com/cdd85euQ6Z
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) June 7, 2025
The shift was – NASCAR rolled out double-file restarts in the Cup Series during a race at Pocono, replacing the previous format where lead-lap cars lined up on the outside and lap-down cars occupied the inside lane.
Afterward, the scene changed forever, as the beneficiary rule changed aspects of the game. Even now, fans are split regarding the rule. While a few argue that the rule change has ruined NASCAR, some support it, saying it has made the game enjoyable.
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A fan criticized, “And it’s just went downhill from here double file restart in the All-Star race now we got this bulls***.” while
Another fan was similarly pessimistic, commenting, “Why does everyone like this? It VASTLY increased the number of crashes and races ending in s***show finishes. I remember when I started watching and they did single-file restarts in the last ten laps for safety reasons and that was GOOD.”
Although some fans argued that the rule change ruined NASCAR, some supported the change, as a user commented, “I don’t understand all the hate in the comments for this move. It was one of the best moves Nascar ever made, along with the choose which took way too long to implement.”
Similarly, another user commented supporting the rule change, “Double file is so much better. The old format was weird and confusing.”
Hence, the NASCAR community remains split on whether the rule change was a step in the right direction. One thing, however, is beyond dispute — the adjustment has allowed drivers to put their racecraft on full display while capitalizing on the strategic edge it offers.