Veteran sports writer Jim Utter covers NASCAR for The Charlotte Observer and its racing site, ThatsRacin.com. In this space, Jim writes about all things NASCAR and other forms of racing which may also be relevant ... or not.
NASCAR issued a handful of rules updates in its rulebook on Monday as the sport prepares for the kickoff of the 2015 season. Among the changes issued:
Only drivers licensed and approved for competition in the Sprint Cup Series will be eligible to participate in NASCAR-approved tire manufacturer tests.
The tire test at Atlanta, originally scheduled for March 2-3, has been canceled. The open test for teams remains on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Any crew member that interferes with another crew's pit stop, whether it causes the other team to incur a penalty or not, may be penalized.
