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NASCAR reduces number of tires Cup teams can use in half of Chase races

Citizens Bank 400 Practice

BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 15: A Goodyear employee moves tires during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Citizens Bank 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 15, 2007 in Brooklyn Michigan. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR will limit Monster Energy Cup teams to fewer sets of tires in half of the 10 Chase races this season, including four of the final five races, according to a NASCAR rules update issued Friday.

Teams will be allowed fewer sets of tires in 13 of 36 points races this year. Teams will be given an additional set of tires in eight races this season.

The change comes after NASCAR and Goodyear examined tire usage by teams in recent years. NASCAR sought to have the numbers of sets available closer to what had been used.

Still, tire management could be key. With fewer sets of tires, crew chiefs will not be able to call for a four-tire change every time they might want to do so.

MORE: NASCAR rule changes include driver biometrics, roof hatch and rear spoiler height

The biggest change in tire allocation is for the season finale in Miami. Teams will be allowed 10 sets for that race, down from 12 sets they were allowed last year.

Another change for this season is that teams must start the race on the same set of tires they used in qualifying.

List of races with fewer sets of tires for teams in 2017:

Daytona 500 ... eight sets (reduction of one)

Phoenix I ... eight sets (reduction of one)

Auto Club ... 11 sets (reduction of one)

Martinsville I ... nine sets (reduction of one)

Bristol I ... eight sets (reduction of one)

Kansas I ... nine sets (reduction of one)

Kentucky ... nine sets (reduction of one)

Bristol II ... eight sets (reduction of one)

* Chicagoland ... nine sets (reduction of one)

* Kansas II ... nine sets (reduction of one)

* Martinsville II ... nine sets (reduction of one)

* Phoenix II ... eight sets (reduction of one)

* Miami ... 10 sets (reduction of two)

* Denotes Chase race

List of races with additional sets of tires allowed in 2017:

Talladega I ... seven sets (increase of one)

Sonoma ... six sets (increase of one)

Daytona II ... seven sets (increase of one)

New Hampshire I ... eight sets (increase of one)

Watkins Glen ... six sets (increase of one)

Darlington ... 13 sets (increase of one)

* New Hampshire II ... eight sets (increase of one)

* Talladega II ... seven sets (increase of one)

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