The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has had two races with the new double-file shootout-style restarts and overall the response is positive. Leaders are racing one another each time the race goes back to green without the interference of cars not on the lead lap. Much of the confusion that first surrounded the new policy has gone off without a hitch.

That could all change this weekend in Sonoma. For the first time, the Cup Series will see double-file restarts on a road course. In years past, every restart after the initial start of the race was done in single-file fashion with the lapped cars in the back. With the new rule in place, the action is sure to be intense and the drivers have mixed emotions on the idea.

"I think the addition of the double-file restarts this weekend will definitely make the race interesting, especially at the end of the race," Stewart-Haas Racing's Ryan Newman pointed out. "We've always had double-file starts at the beginning of the race, but people are careful then because they want to finish the first lap. I think it will be opening a new can of worms when we get to Sonoma for those late-race restarts. It's going to be exciting."

One of the most unique tracks on the circuit, the Infineon Raceway sends drivers into the first corner up a hill to the left and then into a hard right hander down hill. Single-file restarts are difficult enough for the 43 cars, and now with every restart being double-file, the fans are in for some excitement.

"Oh, man. If the fans like spins and unexpected twists and turns in these things, I think they're in for it. From a competitor's standpoint, I don't think it's going to work that well," veteran Mark Martin said with a chuckle. "We generally only do double-file restarts during that race one time, and that's the start of the race when the intensity level is much lower and it's still a challenge to get up the hill side-by-side. Trying to do it with increased intensity as the race wears on is going to make for increased difficulty for all of us to get through there cleanly. I think there will be some winners in that, but I think there's going to be some losers in that, too."

Another road course ace that feels the new restarts will shake things up this Sunday in Sonoma is four-time Series champion Jeff Gordon. The California-native is in favor of the new restart policy, but feels the old way is the best way when it comes to the road course.

"I think its going to create some havoc at Sonoma and I am just anxious to get through it and see how it turns out," the five-time Sonoma winner explained. "The only way to know what you have is to race with it and while "I'm not sure if we need it at a road course, they are pretty adamant to do it there and we'll see how it turns out."

Whether the competitors like it or not, this weekend will see the new double-file restarts. The fans are sure to be in for one heck of a show and it things are as chaotic as drivers such as Gordon predict, then NASCAR is going to have a lot of unhappy drivers on their hands.

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