NASCAR Puts Further Limits on Cup Drivers in Xfinity, Truck Series

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor

After limiting the number of races Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers could run in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series this season, NASCAR is taking the limits a step further for the 2018 season, shrinking the number of races Cup drivers can run even more.

In 2017, the limits for Cup Series drivers with more than five years’ experience was set at 10 races in the Xfinity Series and seven races in the Truck Series. Next year, the limit drops to seven Xfinity races and five Truck races.

All Cup Series drivers, regardless of how many years they’ve been in NASCAR’s top division, will still be barred from running any of the Dash 4 Cash races or championship races in either of the two lower series, and in 2018, Cup drivers will not be allowed to run in any of the playoff races either.

“Fans have made it clear that they want to see the future stars of the sport racing against their peers in the XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series,” said Jim Cassidy, senior vice president of racing operations. “These guidelines achieve that and preserve limited opportunities for developing drivers to compete against the best in motorsports.”

With the limits in place this season, Cup drivers have still won the majority of the races they have been entered in, as 13 of the first 19 Xfinity Series races have gone to Cup regulars (6 of which were by drivers with more than five years’ experience). The Truck Series has only seen three Cup regulars win races through 12 events.