I’ve been following NASCAR races casually and I notice that the number of cars on the track can vary from race to race. I understand that there are different series within NASCAR, with the Cup Series being the top level, but I’m not clear on how many cars are typically allowed to participate in each race. Is there a set number for all races or does it differ depending on the event or series?
While I’ve tried to look up specifics, I can’t seem to find a straightforward answer about the maximum or minimum number of cars that can enter a NASCAR race. I am particularly curious about the Cup Series but would be interested to know if the rules for car numbers are different in the Xfinity Series or the Truck Series. Insight into what dictates the number of cars, such as track size or qualifying rules, would also be appreciated.
I also noticed that there might be situations where fewer cars participate than are allowed. I’m guessing this could be due to several factors, including individual team circumstances or qualification outcomes. Clarification on why a race might not have the full number of cars and how often this happens would help me understand the variability I’m observing in the races.
