NASCAR announced today that it will implement double-file restarts in the Sprint Cup Series beginning this weekend at Pocono. The idea was tested during the All-Star Race last month and drivers and fans alike supported the concept.

“We’ve heard the fans loud and clear,” Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, said of the change. “This addition to the race format is good for competition and good for the fans.”

This change will allow the leader to choose whether he restarts on the inside or outside lane and the second-place driver will restart next to the leader. The old format forced the leader to restart in the outside lane with lapped traffic restarting on the inside lane.

The leader will still control the timing of the restarts and the “free pass” rule will continue to be in effect. In fact, the “free pass” rule will now be in effect for the entire race, another change to the race format.

Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick expressed his support for the change.

"I think it's great that NASCAR is listening to the fans. These new restart procedures are going to make our sport even more exciting than it already is. This will not only benefit the lead-lap cars, but also the cars that go a lap down, so you get the best of both worlds."

The double-file restarts will also be implemented in the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series in the near future.

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