NASCAR Insider explains reason behind peculiar entry numbers on Next Gen cars

NASCAR has made a reputation for making new rules to make the game more engaging and tactical. In 2022, the racing association introduced the Next-Gen car to enter the modern era of the racing heritage. However, to avoid the conflict between two or three part-time owners for asking the same number, NASCAR has found a way to keep things under control.

NASCAR only allows numbers from 0 to 99 or 00 to 09 to choose from. But no two cars can have the same number during a race to avoid confusion in the computers keeping the score. For that, the racing association assigns a three-digit number to the part-time owners because owners' points are calculated, not the drivers.

Well-known NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass explained further in his X post that the racing association gives a special code to one of the teams by adding 1 before their assigned number.

"When two car owners have asked for a number during the season and they are both part-time, NASCAR will designate one with a triple number for owner points purposes (with a 1 before the number, or a 2 if there are three teams with the number). Still will run a two-digit number," Pockrass said.

If more than two teams want the same number, then the racing association will add 2 before their number. For example, if one team gets '26' the second will get '126' and the third team's number will be '226.' However, the livery on the car will have a two-digit number while racing. This is how the Stock Car Racing Association easily separates their drivers despite having the same number on the track.

Can NASCAR drivers choose a desired number?

Unlike Formula 1 racing, where the drivers have a claim over a specific number, NASCAR is completely opposite. The Stock Car Racing Association owns the numbers in the sport and allows the team to choose the number instead of the drivers. Each year racing association leases a number for teams to use it on the track.

The numbers come with their own set of rules; for instance, two cars cannot have the same number. Moving forward, teams can have a number even if they don't own a charter. In various sports, a number is a sign of legacy and respect. But the Stock Car Racing Association continues the number even after the retirement of the driver.

Richard Petty retired in 1992 and wanted to retire his number 43 while leaving STP to run with number 44. But this lasted only for a year, and a year later the number returned to the game in 1994. NASCAR has given the liberty to the teams to transfer or sell their numbers. Teams can also change their numbers temporarily and for a one-off race.

The All-Star race is the best example of this scenario. Last year, Richard Childress allowed Kevin Harvick to run the car number 29 for his final All-Star race. Along with that, Kyle Busch also drove the car number 75 in the All-Star race for M&M's 75th anniversary.