Information

1.0 QUALIFYING AND PRACTICE

  1.1 - Qualifying Procedure

    1.1.1 - Single Car Qualifying

        1.1.1.1 The order of qualifying is based on whichever driver wishes to go next. There are no other rules regarding qualifying orders.

        1.1.1.2 Each driver will be released onto the track one at a time in order to complete an out lap followed by one timed lap; at the end of the session, the race starting order is determined from fastest to slowest times.

        1.1.1.3 Short tracks allow drivers to receive two timed laps when qualifying. All other procedures are the same. 

    1.1.2 - Road Course Qualifying

        1.1.2.1 For road courses, the field will be separated into two groups. If the number of participants exceeds 20, a 3rd group will be created.

        1.1.2.2 Each group is given 5-8 minutes of qualifying to set a time on track. The race starting order is determined from fastest to slowest times, regardless of group.

        1.1.2.3 Pit stops are permitted during group qualifying

        1.1.2.4 Drivers are responsible for overtaking safely during qualifying and letting others pass when not on a hot lap.

  1.2 - Other Qualifying/Practice Rules

    1.2.1 - Impeding drivers

        1.2.1.1 Impeding another driver during qualifying will result in a position drop following the end of qualifying and the impeded driver will be allowed to run an additional lap if it is single car qualifying.

        1.2.1.2 Impeding other drivers during practice can/will result in warnings or penalties that count toward the race.

    1.2.2 - Car modifications

        1.2.2.1 Any modifications to your car made during or before your qualifying lap outside of the permitted adjustments will result in your lap being invalidated and your team receiving a fine. Any modifications made against a competitor's cars during qualifying will result in a penalty as well. ‘Modifications' will be up to steward discretion. Some of these modifications include respawning a car during or before qualifying on track, adding/removing weight from the cars, and abusing tire wear.
        1.2.2.2 Permitted adjustments include tape, wedge, brake bias, and new tires.

    1.2.3 - Practice - Before every race, practice time will be given to the drivers of the division for the upcoming race

        1.2.3.1 Practice sessions are designated by division, and drivers/team affiliates practicing in another division's practice time will be penalized

        1.2.3.2 Practicing outside of any designated practice time will also result in a points penalty and fine for the team or drivers, with the exception of track/car testing.
    1.2.4 - Testing
        1.2.4.1 Series Heads, and developers are the only ones who can approve to host an official testing session
        1.2.4.2 Failure to adhere to the rules in testing sessions can result in penalties toward a driver’s season, penalties and fines toward a team, and suspensions from future testing sessions.

2.0 RACING RULES

  2.1 - Green Flag Racing

    2.1.1 - Driving etiquette

        2.1.1.1 By driving in one of NOVA's Stock Car Championship Series divisions, you are expected to race on track with respect and cleanliness, as well as not recklessly driving or intentionally slamming into other cars, causing crashes, or deliberately trying to gain an advantage over a competitor by means of damaging another's race.

        2.1.1.2 Causing an avoidable incident, or crash on track, intentional or not, will result in a penalty for the drivers at fault. This also applies to the post-race cooldown lap.

        2.1.1.3 Abusing track limits or intentionally making contact with the wall to gain an advantage will not be permitted and will result in a penalty for drivers at fault. This includes passing below the double yellow line.

        2.1.1.4 Attempts to manipulate the results of the race in an unsportsmanlike manner will result in a DSQ and suspension for the driver at fault, as well as a fine for the team of the driver. Examples include intentionally causing a caution, wrecking the leader as a lapped car, or holding up the field by wrecking or walling a driver

    2.1.2 - Lapped Cars

        2.1.2.1 Racing as a lapped car, you are allowed to fight for your right to stay on the lead lap

        2.1.2.2 If you are already a lap down, you are expected to make way for the lead lap cars if you are not up to their pace. If you fail to do so, you will be given the blue flag and forced to make way

        2.1.2.3 Failing to adhere to blue flags will result in a penalty, and wrecking a driver intentionally while not fighting for position will result in a suspension.

    2.1.3 - Pit Stops
        2.1.3.1 When you pit, it is important to let drivers around you know that you are pitting in order to avoid a collision or incident. If you notify the drivers around you in a reasonable time frame, and an incident still occurs, the other drivers may face a penalty. However, if you as the pitting driver do not notify the drivers around and there is an incident, they will not face a penalty.

        2.1.3.2 When pitting, remember to stay at pit road speed, which may vary from track to track. Not adhering to the pit road speed will result in a time penalty on your pit stop.

        2.1.3.3 When on pit road, you are not allowed to drive through more than 3 boxes before entering and after exiting your pit stall. Doing so will result in a penalty.

        2.1.3.4 Access road rules can and will change depending on the track, so watch driver announcements to keep up-to-date with them. 

    2.1.4 - Retiring/joining mid-race

        2.1.4.1 If not enough drivers have qualified, a driver is allowed to join a race under caution before 50% of the race has been completed.

        2.1.4.2 If you are to retire mid-race, you are expected to pull your vehicle into pit road and either to the garage or your pit stall. If this is not followed, it may result in a post-race penalty.

  2.2 - Cautions & Red Flags

    2.2.1 - Caution causes & result

        2.2.1.1 A caution is an obstruction to the racing surface. What constitutes an obstruction are the following: A 2+ car wreck, a flip, a blown engine, a dead car on track, track maintenance issues, and in some circumstances weather.

        2.2.1.2 When a caution is called, drivers will slow down to pacing speed and maintain their current track position single file, regardless of the lap they are on. The only exception is drivers who were involved in the incident, These drivers are to line up at the end of the line.

        2.2.1.3 If a caution was caused by an avoidable incident, the driver at fault will be penalized.
        2.2.1.4 If a caution is called toward the end of the race, and there are not enough laps to go green before the scheduled end of the race, a single overtime attempt will be called, where drivers will race for 3 green flag laps, or until the next caution.
        2.2.1.5 When a caution is called the first driver a lap down will be given the “Lucky Dog.” Which grants the driver an ability to pit with the lead lap cars and wave around.

    2.2.2 - Pacing

        2.2.2.1 Under pacing, drivers are not permitted to pass one another, and are to pace single file at pace speed.

        2.2.2.2 The drivers will pace around the track until the incident is cleared. Once the incident is cleared, pit road will open and drivers will be permitted to make pit stops under caution.
        2.2.2.3 After pit cycle drivers line up single file from lead lap cars > lapped cars > drivers with pit road penalty > drivers with other penalties 

    2.2.3 - Pit stops under caution

        2.2.3.1 Pit stops under caution function nearly the exact same as green flag stops.
        2.2.3.2 When the caution comes out pit road is immediately closed.
        2.2.3.3 Pits are open under caution when the pink flag is displayed. Pitting when pits are closed will result in a TTB penalty and a fine for the driver’s team. 

        2.2.3.4 You must adhere to the pit road speed, and if not, you will be handed a 'to the back' penalty, a penalty that forces the driver to start at the back of the field once green flag racing resumes.

        2.2.3.5 During pit stops, passing one another before entering the pit road is still not permitted, and those doing so will also be handed a 'to the back' penalty.

        2.2.3.6 When exiting pit road drivers are to merge onto track the same way they would under green.
        2.2.3.7 The order off of pit road amongst drivers on the same lap is the order they will pace in.

    2.2.4 Red Flag conditions

        2.2.4.1 Red flags are caused by incidents that make the racing surface unfit for pacing or a technical issue within the facility.
        2.2.4.2 When a red flag is called the field order is immediately frozen.

        2.2.4.3 Under red flag the drivers will either be asked to stop on the track where they are or pull into the pit lane. Passing is still not permitted.

  2.3 - Restarts/Start

    2.3.1 - Restart/Start procedure

        2.3.1.1 Drivers will continue to pace in order until the green flag is displayed. Once the green flag is displayed, drivers may throttle up and resume green flag racing.

        2.3.1.2 Drivers are not permitted to pass, or jump out of line UNTIL they have crossed the start/finish line

        2.3.1.3 Drivers who try to jump the start or 'Kyle Busch' restart will be given a drive-through penalty, If they do not immediately relegate their position.

  2.4 - Quality of Racing

    2.4.1 - The Quality of Racing rule

        2.4.1.1 NSCCS stewards may take actions or precautions not specifically listed here as long as it is deemed fair, justifiable, and in an attempt to improve the quality of racing.

3.0 PENALTIES

  3.1 - On-Track Penalties

    3.1.1 - Qualifying

        3.1.1.1 As listed previously in section 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 impeding or making illegal car modifications during qualifying will result in either lap invalidations, qualifying time removed, fines, and/or a 'to the back' penalty to start the race.

    3.1.2 - Green Flag Racing

        3.1.2.1 During green flag racing, as stated in section 2.1.1.2, harming a competitor's race or causing an avoidable incident will result in a penalty. The penalty may include a 'drive through' or a forced retirement.

        3.1.2.2 Drivers who cause incidents towards the end of a race and are unable to be given a 'drive through' penalty will be put at the tail end of the lap they are on if the incident is severe enough OR be given a disqualification.

        3.1.2.3 Obstructing another driver's way to the pit, if notified, will result in a 'drive through' for the driver who caused the incident.

        3.1.2.4 Speeding in the pits will result in a time penalty added onto the driver's pit stop, making their stop significantly slower.

    3.1.3 - Cautions

        3.1.3.1 Causing a caution by an avoidable wreck, will result in the drivers at fault receiving a 'TTB' penalty under green, and if it occurs again the driver will be given a drive-through penalty.

        3.1.3.2 If the driver who caused the incident is in Lucky Dog position, they will no longer be eligible for Lucky Dog

        3.1.3.3 Passing under pacing will result in a 'to the back' penalty, and if not caught until after green flag racing resumes, they will be handed a 'Drive Through' penalty instead.

  3.2 - Off-Track Penalties

    3.2.1 Post-Race penalties

        3.2.1.1 If an incident is not caught until AFTER the race has been finished, the driver at fault will be put to the tail end of the lap they are on or disqualified from the race as a whole if the incident is severe enough.

    3.2.2 Points penalties

        3.2.2.1 Drivers or teams caught manipulating the race to the detriment of NOVA's integrity will result in major points penalties for teams and drivers involved.
        3.2.2.2 Points penalties may be given to teams and drivers who fail to follow scheme rules
    3.2.3 Other Off-Track Penalties
        3.2.3.1 Suspensions and Disqualifications may be permitted to drivers who break the server rules, or face so many penalties a suspension is necessary
    3.2.4 Fines

        3.2.4.1 Drivers and teams found guilty of race manipulation or abusing game mechanics may be charged a fine that will be immediately deducted from their team’s balance. The fine amount is up to the discretion of the NSCCS stewards and head.
        3.2.4.2 Team owners and drivers who break server rules may receive a fine for their misconduct as well.

4.0 SCHEME RULES

  4.1 Division decals & partner logos

Sunoco logos and other contingency sponsors are not allowed to be obstructed on the car.

  4.2 Numbers & Sponsors

    4.2.1 Legibility & appropriateness

        4.2.1.1 Numbers & Sponsors on the car must be appropriate to run & legible.

    4.2.2 Number placement

        4.2.2.1 Cup and Lite both require the cars to run two centered door numbers and a roof number.

        4.2.2.2 Cup and Lite must have a smaller driver number on the right side headlight, as well as the right side taillight.

    4.3 Penalties

        4.3.1 Breaking rules 4.1 through 4.2 may result in a points penalty and/or fine to your team. In extreme cases, you may not be permitted to start the race and will not receive penalties.

5.0 CHAMPIONSHIP & POINTS

  5.1 Championship Format

    5.1.1 Equal points per race

        5.1.1.1 NOVA uses an equal points per race format, where every race, the points rewards are the same for finishing position

        5.1.1.2 The points format can be found here

        5.1.1.3 Bonus points may be earned throughout races for leading laps and winning pole position. 

    5.1.2 Season-Long Point Accumulation

        5.1.2.1 NOVA uses a season-long points format, where every race's points are added until a champion is eventually crowned at the end of the season.

    5.1.3 Tiebreaker rules

        5.1.3.1 In a situation where there is a tie in points, the tie will be broken by comparing finishing positions earlier in the league, first by wins, then by 2nd places, and so on. If the finishing positions line up, then it will be determined by laps led.
5.2 Championship Eligibility
    5.2.1 Full-Time Drivers
        5.2.1.1 To become a full-time driver, you have to officially declare what division championship you will be competing for
        5.2.1.2 Drivers are to declare their division championship of choice before race 5 of the Cup Season or they will be registered as a part-time driver for the rest of the season
        5.2.1.2 Full-Time drivers are eligible for championship points, and can compete in all events of the division
        5.2.1.3 Only drivers with a NOVA approved A-Licence can participate Full-time in the NSCCS Cup Series
    5.2.2 Part-Time Drivers
        5.2.2.1 Drivers are automatically registered as part-time for their division until they declare which division championship they will be competing for
        5.2.2.2 Part-Time drivers are not eligible for drivers points
        5.2.2.3 Part-Time drivers racing in the Cup Series are limited to 4 points-paying race starts in the division
        5.2.2.4 Part-Time drivers racing in the Fios Series are limited to 3 points-paying race starts in the division

    5.2.3 Other championship eligibility rules

        5.2.3.1 In compliance with the NSCA, declaring full-time in another NOVA Championship Series will revoke your eligibility to race full-time in the NSCCS divisions.