NASCAR announced a new rule Wednesday limiting participation in the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series by Sprint Cup drivers.
Under the restrictions, full-time Cup drivers with at least five years of experience will be limited to 10 races annually in Xfinity and seven in the Camping World Truck Series. They also will be prevented from entering the final eight races of the season in both series, covering their championship playoffs.
The new rules would have affected three drivers this season -- Kyle Busch (16 Xfinity starts for Joe Gibbs Racing), Brad Keselowski (13 Xfinity starts for Team Penske) and Joey Logano (13 Xfinity starts for Team Penske).
This is the first major rules change affecting the eligibility of Cup drivers in Xfinity since 2011 when drivers were prevented from earning points. Here is the breakdown of how often the top teams in the Xfinity Series with Sprint Cup affiliations fielded full-time Sprint Cup drivers (regardless of experience):
2016 XFINITY SERIES
Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle Busch – 16 starts
Denny Hamlin -- 2
Richard Childress Racing
Austin Dillon – 16
Michael McDowell – 1
Paul Menard -- 8
Team Penske
Brad Keselowski – 13
Joey Logano -- 13
JR Motorsports
Clint Bowyer – 1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2
Chase Elliott -- 6
Kevin Harvick – 6
Kasey Kahne – 1
Chip Ganassi Racing
Kyle Larson -- 14
Roush Fenway Racing
Trevor Bayne -- 1
2015 XFINITY SERIES
Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle Busch – 15 starts
Denny Hamlin -- 11
Matt Kenseth – 5
David Ragan -- 1
Richard Childress Racing
Austin Dillon – 20
Paul Menard -- 8
Team Penske
Brad Keselowski – 9
Joey Logano -- 11
JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 4
Kevin Harvick – 12
Kasey Kahne -- 7
2014 XFINITY SERIES
Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle Busch – 26 starts
Denny Hamlin -- 1
Matt Kenseth – 19
Richard Childress Racing
Austin Dillon – 1
Paul Menard – 8
Team Penske
Brad Keselowski – 11
Joey Logano -- 10
JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 4
Kevin Harvick – 15
Kasey Kahne -- 3
2013 XFINITY SERIES
Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle Busch – 26 starts
Brian Vickers -- 30
Denny Hamlin -- 1
Matt Kenseth – 16
Michael McDowell – 2
Richard Childress Racing
Kevin Harvick – 11
Paul Menard – 4
Tony Stewart -- 1
Team Penske
Brad Keselowski – 16
Joey Logano – 15
AJ Allmendinger -- 2
JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 4
Jimmie Johnson – 1
Kasey Kahne – 11
Jamie McMurray -- 1
Roush Fenway Racing
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. -- 1
2012 XFINITY SERIES
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joey Logano -- 22 starts
Denny Hamlin -- 12
Brian Vickers – 1
Michael McDowell – 5
Mark Martin – 1
Clint Bowyer -- 1
Richard Childress Racing
Kevin Harvick – 13
Paul Menard – 7
Tony Stewart -- 1
Team Penske
Brad Keselowski – 21
JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 4
Roush Fenway Racing
Carl Edwards -- 1
2011 XFINITY SERIES
Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle Busch – 20 starts
Joey Logano -- 22
Denny Hamlin -- 5
Michael McDowell – 5
Team Penske
Brad Keselowski – 29
JR Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 3
Jimmie Johnson – 1
Kasey Kahne – 2
Jamie McMurray -- 3
Roush Fenway Racing
Carl Edwards – 33
Matt Kenseth -- 1