(For anyone who wanted to know about impound rules)
This weekend, for the first time, the Nextel Cup race at Watkins Glen International will follow what are called "impound procedures." Under these procedures, NASCAR officials will escort cars back to their garage stalls after qualifying, and crews will be able to do very little work on the vehicles from then until the race.
As Robby Gordon's crew chief, Greg Erwin, said: "Once you roll the car after qualifying, you have what you have. You can only make small adjustments after that."
Watkins Glen is one of 21 Nextel Cup events following impound procedures this season. Fifteen events will not be required to follow the rules.
"It's a unique situation to do it on the road course," Nextel Cup driver Jeff Gordon said Friday. "First time we've ever had that thrown at us.
"But I like the impound weekends," Gordon added. "I just wish they'd do it more consistently. One week they're doing it, one week we're not doing it. I was hoping that next year, we do it every weekend, is what I'd like to see. Or just do it one way or the other, that's all that matters to me."
According to Nextel Cup rules, once a car is returned to its garage stall after qualifying, only two crew members are allowed to remain with the vehicle. They are then allowed to: shut off electrical switches and master power switch, remove the radio, check air pressure in tires and cover the car. Crew members must then leave the garage.
On the morning of the race, teams have a list of about 13 actions that two crew members may do to the car, including priming the oil system and starting the engine. Teams also have a list of eight actions they may not do, including entering the garage without a NASCAR official present, climbing inside the car and adding fuel, oil or brake fluid.
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