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Cup crew chiefs playing game of strategy under new points system

Related Topics: Pit stop, NASCAR, Tire

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For all the talk about tire strategy, pit strategy and racing ethics that have swirled through the NASCAR garage with the new race format and point system in place for 2017, something more simple could make the biggest difference.

Since two cautions will fall slightly outside a fuel run at most events in the first two stages, which combined will cover the first 48-63 percent of a race, drivers know they most likely will need to have a short-run car to earn points over the first half of the race. And if the races run as "normal," a late caution could create a short run to make it to the finish line.