What does NASCAR need to do more to attract more eyeballs towards their sport? They have ventured out, following Formula 1’s blueprint in creating a Netflix docuseries. NASCAR Cup Racing is going international with a points-paying race. Not to forget, they have added streaming giant Amazon Prime Video as their media partner. This was the first time NASCAR has pivoted from cable TV viewers in search of younger audiences.

All the above initiatives are expected to take time to kick in, and this forced NASCAR into doing something huge with its on-track racing product. And this is where the Open Exemptional Provision came into light. This new rule will reward world-class drivers with a guaranteed spot in the field to start a Cup Series. Who knows, perhaps the likes of Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen could compete in NASCAR, and the OEP would come in handy for them.

Well, this new provision has turned out to be a hotly contested topic in NASCAR circles with parties batting out for each side. Denny Hamlin’s fiery comments came in as a surprise as he accused NASCAR of chasing headlines for short-term gains with the OEP. But no one saw Kyle Busch of all to rally in support of NASCAR.

Kyle Busch is in favor of the Open Exemptions Provisional

Rowdy is one of the few characters in the NASCAR garage who wears his heart on his sleeve. He doesn’t back out or sugarcoat when sharing his brutal and sometimes controversial opinions. Remember, he was the first one to publicly lash out at NASCAR over the sorry state of affairs with the short track package. “I didn’t think we could make it worse, but by golly we did…for me anyways.”

However, when it came to NASCAR’s new provision, the RCR star was able to understand their vision and idea to attract notable international drivers. “I think you could look at some other guys, whether Verstappen or Lewis, somebody like that who could come over here and do something like that. I don’t know. Sure, they could. They have the credentials to do so. I think that would be something cool. Whether or not you could get them is another point.” Busch said this ahead of the Clash at Bowman Gray.

NASCAR hasn’t cleared out the fine details surrounding the new provision. But this is all we know so far. None of the full-time drivers can apply for the OEP. The team will need to file an appeal 90 days in advance of the event, and the driver has to be a world-class race driver to be eligible for the provision. It’s also important to note that only one OEP will be allowed per race, and NASCAR will decide on a case-by-case basis which team will get the guaranteed spot in case there are multiple entries.

Top Comment by ttimmons

I think nascar has finally went NUTS!! Stopping the race 3 times during the race is stupid and I can’t...more

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Debate

However, some NASCAR purists have taken offense to this new rule, highlighting how non-NASCAR drivers are given free passes to compete in mega events. Four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves is the first one to have secured the provision and will start the Daytona 500 in the #91 Trackhouse Racing Chevy. On the flip side, two former NASCAR Cup Series champions, Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, could bow out in the Duels itself.

Jeff Gordon in particular had a lot of questions surrounding this new rule. He was unable to understand why Trackhouse Racing, out of all the teams, was granted the OEP. And what exactly does define the term world-class driver?

Jeff Gordon wants clarity from NASCAR

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While this new rule is aimed at bringing more attention and new audiences to the sport of NASCAR, is this OEP undeserving of the veteran drivers? Imagine two-time Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson sitting out of the crown jewel race while a novice driver from F1 secures a spot through OEP. So is NASCAR willing to favor the international stars who have little to no experience competing in a stock car, while former drivers sit out?

Moreover, how will NASCAR decide who gets the OEP if a famous F1 driver is going against someone like Martin Truex Jr.? Right now there are no guidelines or structure in place, and many teams feel lost out on being able to apply for the provision. “What I’m questioning, or what I need more answers to, is what’s the criteria that dictates who gets in and who doesn’t? Does it just become a popularity contest, and what again is the popularity are basing it off?” Gordon said this on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

If that is the case, Lewis Hamilton going against Jimmie Johnson isn’t exactly an apples-to-apples comparison, as the 7-time F1 champion is far more popular. “Then you’ve got past champion and seven-time champion like Jimmie Johnson; where does he fit in that kind of criteria? That’s my only question about it all, and I don’t have all the answers, but that’s certainly something I’m going to ask NASCAR when I get a chance to.” Gordon added.

The open exemption provisional has to be a work in progress because right now there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding this new rule. It won’t be a surprise if we see changes or tweaks to the OEP rule by NASCAR in the coming months.