2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series

Double-file restarts

Before the start of the season, NASCAR changed restart rules regarding the final moments of all races in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. Previously, when the race was inside the final ten laps, all cars/trucks on the lead lap were in a single-file restart in that window. As of the 2009 season, the window changed to the final 20 laps. The "lucky dog"/"free pass" rule was still be eliminated in the last ten laps of a race. This rule will not matter starting at the July Daytona race, with the addition of "Double-File Restarts Shootout Style."

After being successful in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR will implement a double-file restart system starting at the July Daytona race. The entire field will line up double-file, much like the start of the race at every restart. The leaders and other lead lap cars are now in front always when taking the green flag. Cars who choose to stay out and not pit during a caution flag who are in front of the leaders are now waved-around to restart (double file) at the back of the field. The lucky dog/free pass rule is now in effect the entire distance of the race, and the double-file restarts are for every restart, including green-white-checkered finishes. The only reason cars do not line up double-file in the order they are position wise on the leaderboard is if they are serving a penalty (in most cases, for pit road violations). The leader of the race also has the option of selecting which lane, inside or outside, to restart in, however, the 3rd place car (and 5th, 7th, and so on) will always restart on the inside.

Schedule

♣ – Race will run at night, or start in the late afternoon, and finish at night.

Bold italics – Indicates current or next race.

2009 season races

See List of 2009 NASCAR races for a complete list and schedule of the 2009 season races.

Nashville 300

The Nashville 300 was held on April 11 Nashville Superspeedway. Joey Logano won his 2nd career NNS race. 1992 series champion Joe Nemechek took a wild ride after contact with several cars and flipped once. The car was fine, and he drove it around the track a few times before being black-flagged.

Aaron's 312

David Ragan edged out Ryan Newman by .030 of a second for his first win in any of NASCAR's three top-tier series. Matt Kenseth had a scary wreck in which he flipped 3 times on the backstretch. The defending Daytona 500 champion was uninjured, though.

Federated Auto Parts 300

The Federated Auto Parts 300 was dominated by Kyle Busch. This was his first win in Nashville. The victory made news as Kyle smashed the trophy – a custom painted Gibson guitar – in victory lane.

Camping World RV Sales 200 Presented by Turtle Wax

The Camping World RV Sales 200 Presented by Turtle Wax was held June 27 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Joey Logano won the pole for the third straight race he attempted. Kyle Busch won the race.

NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge

All practice and qualifying was done in the wet using rain tires. The final 16 laps of the race were also run under wet conditions using rain tires. For the third consecutive year, Marcos Ambrose dominated the race, but he blew the final corner by jumping over the curb too high, giving Edwards the win. Ambrose also won the pole.

Kroger on Track for the Cure 250

Justin Allgaier got his first Nationwide career pole. Kyle Busch nudged Brad Keselowski on the final turn but Keselowski held on and won the race at Memphis Motorsports Park.

Able Body Labor 200

Denny Hamlin won the pole with a new track record. Carl Edwards won the race.

Ford 300

Carl Edwards won the pole. Kyle Busch won the race and the championship. Denny Hamlin also spun Brad Keselowski earlier in the race.