NASCAR will not allow a driver to earn rookie-of-the-year honors if the driver has not declared to run for the season championship in that series, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said Thursday. That means that rookie #21-Trevor Bayne will not be allowed to run for the Cup rookie award this year. Bayne, who will run at least 17 races for Wood Brothers Racing and was potentially the only rookie in the Sprint Cup series, is competing full time for the championship in the Nationwide Series for Roush Fenway Racing. The current rule states that drivers who compete in more than seven races in one season uses up his rookie eligibility. Tharp said NASCAR is looking at that provision and what should be the limit under the new rules.(SceneDaily)(2-10-2011)
