Billy Dick Cup

The National Stock Tour will organize the Billy Dick Cup ("the Championship") which comprises the title of "Billy Dick Cup Champion". It consists of the NASCAR Cup Series (fixed setup) races which are included in the Billy Dick Cup calendar. All the participating parties undertake to apply as well as observe the rules governing the Championship.

These Sporting Regulations ("the Code") apply to the whole competition schedule referred to in the title ("the Championship"). Any changes made by the National Stock Tour (i.e., the organizing authority) for safety reasons may come into effect without notice or delay.

All drivers must read these regulations in their entirety to participate in the Championship. Ignorance is not a valid excuse.

All drivers participating in the Championship must be members of the National Stock Tour Discord Server.

All drivers are expected to treat everyone else with respect. Any form of harassment, bullying, or hate speech will not be tolerated. Any driver found in violation of this Article will be immediately removed from the Championship.

No cheating. Any glitch, software, or exploit that gives a driver an advantage is strictly prohibited. Any drivers found in violation of this Article will be immediately removed from the Championship.

Intentionally wrecking during a race will not be tolerated. Any drivers found in violation of this Article will be immediately removed from the Championship.

All drivers are expected to follow the instructions of the Stewards at all times.

All drivers participating in the Championship must hold an Oval Class C license or greater with a minimum safety rating of 2.50.

Drivers will be required to withdraw from events (i.e., races) should they no longer meet the license requirement at any point during the Championship. In such cases, they may resume participation in future events once they satisfy the license requirement again.

Exemptions to the minimum license requirement may be granted in special cases where the driver can demonstrate a reasonable ability to drive safely, experience in other racing series, or genuine willingness to learn and abide by the Code.

The Billy Dick Cup Drivers’ Champion title will be awarded to the driver who has scored the highest number of points, taking into consideration all the results obtained during the competitions which have actually taken place.

A driver must have competed in a minimum of fifteen (15) out of twenty (20) races to be eligible to win the Billy Dick Cup.

Points for the title will be awarded to classified drivers at each event according to the following scale:

In addition to the above, additional points will be awarded in the following manner:

Bonus points from the above four (4) cases will not be awarded to drivers that are disqualified from the race.

Stage points will be awarded to the top ten (10) classified drivers at the conclusion of each officially designated stage of an event according to the following scale:

These points will be allocated in addition to the points awarded for the final race classification as stipulated in Article 4.2. There will be no minimum lap requirement for drivers to be classified at the end of a stage and, as a result, be awarded stage points.

The allocation of bonus points referenced in Article 4.2 do not apply to the stage classifications.

Drivers must complete at least fifty-percent (50%) of the number of laps completed by the winner (rounded down to the nearest whole number of laps) in order to be classified in the final race result.

The final classification will be published after the race. It will be the only valid result subject to any amendments which may be made under the Code.

The twenty (20) race schedule of the Billy Dick Cup will consist of the following NASCAR Cup Series (fixed setup) races:

Comprehensive information regarding the schedule is available in the accompanying Official Schedule Document.

Should a race be cancelled or otherwise unable to be conducted as scheduled, it shall be rescheduled for the subsequent race weekend, and the Championship duration will be extended by an additional week to accommodate the delayed event.

The Billy Dick Cup Teams' Champion title will be awarded to the team whose drivers have scored the highest total number of points, taking into consideration all the results obtained during the competitions which have actually taken place.

Each team shall consist of a maximum of five (5) registered drivers for the duration of the Championship. This includes a maximum of three (3) primary drivers and two (2) reserve drivers.

Only three (3) drivers may be declared eligible to score points in each race. These scoring drivers must be officially nominated twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of each event.

Failure by a team to declare scoring drivers before the published deadline shall result in the default nomination of the team’s originally registered three (3) primary drivers. If a team has made no substitutions to its originally registered primary driver lineup or is composed only of three (3) or fewer drivers, there is no requirement to declare scoring drivers prior to each race. In this case, the three (3) or fewer registered primary drivers will automatically be recognized as the scoring drivers.

Points earned by any undeclared driver (i.e., reserve drivers competing in the Championship as free agents) shall be excluded from the team’s point total for that event.

A driver substitution shall be defined as the replacement of a nominated primary driver by a reserve driver for the purposes of competing in an event and scoring Teams’ Championship points.

A reserve driver is only eligible to compete in an event if they have not participated for another team in any race during the Championship.

Each team is permitted one (1) driver transfer during the Championship. A driver transfer allows a team to permanently replace a non-reserve (primary) driver with another driver for the remainder of the season.

The incoming driver must not have raced for another team at any point during the Championship.

After a driver transfer has been completed, the replaced driver is no longer eligible to compete for that team for the remainder of the Championship.

An organization is limited to fielding a maximum of two (2) teams (i.e., sister teams). The two sister teams are considered, for the purposes of the competition, separate entities. Drivers cannot interchangeably compete for both sister teams.

Joke or meme team names are not permitted, nor are any names involving profanity, obscenity, or anything deemed to be detrimental to the standing of the Billy Dick Cup. All team names are subject to approval by the National Stock Tour.

All drivers registered to a team, including reserve drivers, must compete under the same car manufacturer. Changing car manufacturers during the Championship is not allowed.

Prizes and points awarded for all the positions of Competitors who tie will be added together and shared equally.

If two (2) or more drivers or teams finish the Championship with the same number of points, the higher place in the Championship shall be awarded to:

The Race Director(s) may report any on-track incident or suspected breach of these Sporting Regulations or the Code to the Stewards. After review it shall be at the discretion of the Stewards to decide whether or not to proceed with an investigation. The Stewards may also investigate an incident noted by themselves.

It shall be at the discretion of the Stewards to decide if any driver involved in an incident should be penalized. Unless it is clear to the Stewards that a driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for an incident no penalty will be imposed.

When determining whether to impose a penalty, the Stewards may take into consideration a driver's history of involvement in incidents, including but not limited to: previous incidents of a similar nature, repeated instances of reckless or careless driving, failure to comply with instructions or safety protocols, and any other relevant factors that may indicate a pattern of such behavior. The Stewards may use this information to assess the likelihood of the driver's actions being a genuine mistake or an indication of a more serious issue, and to determine the severity of any penalty to be imposed.

The Stewards may impose any one of the penalties below on any driver involved in an incident:

Should the Stewards decide to impose any of the penalties, the following procedure will be followed:

Protests and appeals shall be made in accordance with the Code. Competitors should only submit a protest or appeal if they have a good faith belief that a decision was made in error. A non-genuine appeal or pattern of such behavior may result in a reprimand.

Protests and appeals must be submitted to the Stewards within twenty-four (24) hours of the conclusion of the session or the race. After twenty-four (24) hours, all decisions, penalties, and race classifications are final. The Stewards’ ruling regarding a protest or appeal will be made within two (2) days of the submission.

In special circumstances where protests or appeals cannot be resolved by the Stewards, the organizing authority will hold a session that includes all stakeholders to decide on the competitor’s case. The competitor will be given the opportunity to present their case again verbally or in writing. The National Stock Tour reserves the right to amend or overrule any decision made by the Stewards under Articles 5.3 and 6.2.

Appeals may not be made against decisions concerning the following:

Drivers are expected to slow down and maneuver accordingly to ensure that they do not impede or "cut off" other cars when entering the pits.

When exiting pit road, drivers must not cross onto the track until the end of the pit exit road under any circumstance. Cars on the race track have right-of-way over cars rejoining the race track from the pits.

Drivers are only allowed to drive through a maximum of five (5) pit stalls when entering and exiting their pit stall.

If a driver attempts to gain an advantage by driving through pit stalls, they will receive a penalty. Drivers are expected to make a genuine good faith effort to enter their pit stall in an appropriate manner (i.e., realistically, as it is conducted in real-world equivalent events; do not drive through other stalls or cars). The Stewards may issue a penalty in accordance with Article 6.3 on any driver that fails to do so.

The pit lane will be divided into two lanes; the lane closest to the pit wall will be designated the "fast lane" and the lane closest to the garages will be designated the "slow lane". These are separated by the segmented lines that run down the pit lane.

Drivers entering the pits are expected to respect the slow and fast lanes. Drivers entering the pits must enter single-file into the fast lane. As they approach their pit stall, they may merge into the slow lane, and from there into their pit stall. Drivers exiting their pit stall are expected to merge into the slow lane and then shift into the fast lane as soon as safely possible.

Any cars excessively "ghosting" while merging into the slow lane from their pit stall, from the slow lane to the fast lane, or from the fast lane to the slow lane will be issued a penalty in accordance with Article 6.3.

In exceptional circumstances the Race Director may ask for the pit entry to be closed during the race for safety reasons.

Drivers must observe the provisions of the Code relating to driving behavior on track at all times.

At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.

Drivers must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not leave the track without a justifiable reason. Drivers will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with it and, for the avoidance of doubt, any white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.

Drivers may not use the apron if it is marked with a double yellow line (e.g., Talladega Superspeedway) to perform an overtake. At the Race Director’s discretion, this requirement may be ignored for a specific race, based on the track’s localized racing etiquette and standards (e.g., Atlanta Motor Speedway). In such situations, the Race Director will give clear notice through the official communication channels prior to the start of the race.

Should a car leave the track the driver may rejoin, however, this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage. At the absolute discretion of the Race Director a driver may be given the opportunity to give back the whole of any advantage he gained by leaving the track. In such situations, if a driver must relinquish a position they gained unfairly, they must move off the racing line and drive at a reasonably slower pace (i.e., not to a speed that is dangerously below racing speeds) until the other car passes them.

Drivers are expected to make every effort possible, including using the dirt, grass, or apron, to avoid collisions. However, they must not swerve back onto the track after avoiding a collision and ensure it is clear before rejoining.

Contact is defined as a "0x" in the iRacing simulator. A collision is defined as any contact that receives "1x" or greater by the iRacing simulator. Rubbing is racing after all. Ultimately, the Stewards may decide whether to consider any contact as a collision or vice versa.

Drivers must respect the entitlement to space of other cars on the track at all times. Blocking or forcing another car off the track or into a dangerous situation will be viewed as dangerous driving by the Stewards.

Sufficient overlap is defined as any part of one car is alongside the car ahead. Once overlap is achieved, the leading car is required to provide a car's width of space for the trailing car. This space allocation must be maintained for the entire duration of the overlap.

In situations where two cars enter a corner with continuous overlap maintained throughout the entire corner, specific responsibilities apply. The car positioned on the inside must consistently maintain the inside racing line throughout the entire corner, while the car on the outside must adhere to the outside racing line. Any deviation that results in the cars "crossing lines" from outside to inside or vice versa is considered the fault of the driver who initiated the change in racing lines. This driver will be held responsible for any ensuing contact.

Lapped drivers are expected to allow lapping drivers past at the earliest safe opportunity to do so, preferably off the racing line. Lapped drivers are expected to pick and maintain a consistent line until the lapping driver has passed them.

The Race Director may show lapped drivers a blue flag in situations where they fail to observe their responsibilities as a lapped car. However, drivers are expected to maintain awareness of their position on track and understand when they are being lapped regardless of a blue flag being waved.

Drivers that have been lapped due to a pit cycle may only attempt to unlap themselves if the lapping car clearly loses pace or makes a mistake which allows them to pass. However, if the lapping car regains pace, then the lapped driver must again allow them to pass safely. Drivers are allowed to "fight for their lap" or "fight to stay on the lead lap", however, this must not come at the cost of unpredictable or dangerous driving or any form of blocking. Penalties may be imposed on drivers that are deemed to have ignored blue flags or impeded the progress of lapping cars in accordance with Article 6.3.

Drivers are prohibited from stopping on track, especially under green flag conditions, to "tow" the car back to the pits when their car is reasonably capable of making it back to the pits by driving on the apron at a slower pace. After an incident, if a tow is required, drivers are encouraged to safely drive off of the track, stop in a safe position, and only then, use the tow functionality.

In situations where a caution is brought out as the result of a single car incident (e.g., isolated loss of control), at the Race Director’s discretion, the driver will be issued an EOL penalty in accordance with Article 6.3 on the subsequent race restart.

After the conclusion of the race as declared by the Race Director, all drivers must reduce speed and safely return to their designated pit stall, or proceed to a safe area of the circuit to request a tow.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Code applies for the entire duration of all official sessions, which includes the post-race period during which the iRacing simulator session remains online. Drivers are required to maintain full control of their vehicle and behave in a safe and sportsmanlike manner during post-race procedures. Deliberate or accidental contact or collision after the conclusion of a race is strictly prohibited. Any drivers found to have engaged in reckless or unsportsmanlike conduct post-race will be immediately removed from the Championship.

The leader must maintain a speed within 5 mph of the pacing speed before accelerating inside the start zone. On race starts, the leader must wait until the green flag is waved before accelerating. However, on race restarts, the leader may accelerate at any point after their car is within the start zone.

The leader shall have the right to choose their restart lane. The leader must select their restart lane prior to reaching the start/finish line before the "one-to-go" signal.

The leader may indicate their lane choice by either:

Once chosen, the leader may not elect to change their lane choice.

All cars are expected to be within a car length of the car ahead on race starts and restarts or the start may be delayed at the discretion of the Race Director.

All drivers, excluding the leader, must hold their lane until they reach the start finish line on race starts and restarts. Failure to do so will result in a penalty in accordance with Article 6.3. The leader may only change their lane if they are sufficiently ahead of the other cars.

Drivers must not "lag behind" or pre-accelerate unreasonably in order to jump the start or restart.

Race restarts will normally take place with cars in a double-file formation. However, the Race Director may, at their discretion, order a single-file restart if they deem it necessary for safety reasons. Should conditions allow, subsequent restarts in the race may return to double-file formation at the Race Director’s discretion.

For situations where the leader disconnects or is unable to restart the race with "one-to-go", the car in P2 will be in control of the restart from the outside line. If the new leader disconnects or is also unable to restart the race, then the next car (i.e., the original P3) will be in control of the restart from the inside line - and so on…

If an incident occurs immediately after the green flag on a race restart and the field is still in a safe position to resume racing, the Race Director may consider the subsequent caution as the result of a failed start. In such situations, the number of pace laps will be reduced to one (1), effectively setting the race as "one-to-go". The normal restart procedure will be carried out from that point.

The pace car may be brought into operation to neutralize a race upon the order of the Race Director. It will be used only if competitors or officials are in immediate physical danger on or near the track but the circumstances are not such as to necessitate suspending the race.

No car may be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the pace car is deployed. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry road, or the pit lane.

During a pace car period, the first car that is one or more laps down to the leader (the "Lucky Dog") will be able to unlap themselves when directed to do so. The Lucky Dog will rejoin the field at the end of the longest line of cars on the track.

When the pace car is deployed, the Race Director may, at their discretion, instruct all lapped cars to pass the pace car and regain a lap (i.e., "be waived around"), in addition to the application of the Lucky Dog rule. These lapped cars will rejoin the field at the end of the longest line.

The caution period may be extended for additional laps at the discretion of the Race Director if all cars are not safely reassembled, or if the field is not in a safe position to resume racing.

The completion of a stage will be marked by the top ten (10) cars crossing the start/finish line on the designated lap. In the case where fewer than ten (10) cars are running, then the stage will be marked by the number of running cars crossing the start/finish line.

After the completion of a stage, a caution will be thrown. Pit road shall close two (2) laps prior to the scheduled stage caution.

If a caution is called within five (5) laps of the scheduled lap for the stage caution, the stage shall be declared at the time that the caution was thrown.

The use of in-simulator voice communication (Race Radio) during all official sessions, but especially qualifying and the race, is restricted. The race radio will be used exclusively by Race Control for essential race communications. All competitors are required to have their radio enabled and their @RACECONTROL receiver turned on. Drivers or entries who fail to have their Race Control receiver enabled will not be exempt from any penalties that occur due to their negligence. Communication over race radio by drivers is strictly limited to safety concerns, and only if a driver determines it is absolutely necessary for safety.

Public in-simulator text chat communications from any driver during all official sessions is also prohibited. This includes preset text messages like "Pass Right", "Sorry", and "Pitting In." Private chat directed towards another driver is also prohibited.

Drivers are required to promptly communicate any perceived unfair or incorrect penalties applied by the iRacing simulator to the Stewards via Race Radio. Reporting a penalty as unfair or incorrect that is determined by the Stewards not to be a violation of the Code may result in additional penalties or sanctions.

Any driver found to be in violation of these regulations regarding race radio and text chat may be subject to penalties during the race and/or further sanctions in subsequent events.

Car numbers will be allocated on a first-come, first serve basis. Chosen numbers must be within the range 2-999 and leading zeros (e.g., "02" or "002") are not allowed.

Numbers are assigned to drivers (and not teams) and cannot be changed for the duration of the Championship. The one (1) car number (i.e., "Car #1") will be reserved for the previous season’s Champion, should they elect to use it.

Entries must use the provided decal package as part of the livery for their car, including entries using a "base" iRacing livery. With that said, all entries are highly encouraged to run a custom paint for their car.

Entrants must upload their liveries to Trading Paints. Official media and broadcasts will utilize the iRacing simulator "Hide car numbers" (i.e., custom numbers) option.

Custom number liveries must ensure that the font used is clear, simple, and sufficiently legible from a distance. In addition, the number on the custom number livery must match the registered number for the entry. Entries competing with an incorrect number on their will be disqualified from the event.

By participating in the Billy Dick Cup, entrants agree to allow the National Stock Tour to use their livery for photos, videos, and other promotional content.

In accordance with National Stock Tour standards as well as the requirements from our broadcast partners, liveries must comply with the following guidelines:

Entrants may apply for an entry by using the appropriate form. The awarding of Billy Dick Cup grid slots is carried out by the National Stock Tour. Such decisions are not subject to appeal.

Accepted entries will be offered a chartered grid slot, subject to an entry fee of 40 USD for the full season. This entry fee will be prorated based on the percentage of races remaining, with a minimum of 5 USD. For example, if an entry joins the grid with 10 races remaining, the entry fee will be 20 USD instead of the full 40 USD.

Entrants that fail to pay the entry fee by forty-eight (48) hours after notification of their acceptance to the grid will have their acceptance rescinded. Charter fees will be used to support league operating costs and may also be allocated towards prize pools and race broadcasting expenses. PayPal will be used for all financial transactions related to the Billy Dick Cup.

A chartered driver shall be guaranteed the right to a car and a competition number for the entirety (or remainder if joining during the season) of the Championship. All drivers registered under a team must be chartered to be eligible to participate in any events. Reserve drivers are not required to be chartered until (or if) they are substituted in. However, given the limited grid size of forty (40), there is no guarantee that a charter will be available after the start or during the season.

Charter fees are non-refundable under all circumstances, including but not limited to voluntary withdrawal, suspension, or revocation. By paying for a charter, the entrant acknowledges and agrees that the charter is non-refundable and that they fully accept and agree to abide by all current and future regulations of the Code.

Charters are non-transferable and may not be sold or assigned to another driver or team.

The National Stock Tour reserves the exclusive right to revoke a driver’s charter at any time upon determination that the driver has violated any Articles of the Code. Revocation shall result in the immediate loss of the guaranteed car and competition number for the remainder of the Championship.