2016 NASCAR Cup Series (Simpsonverse)

The 2016 NASCAR Cup Series was the 68th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 45th modern-era Cup series season. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Busch Clash, the Gatorade Duels and the Daytona 500. The season ended with the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Carl Edwards of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won his first drivers' championship. Toyota won the manufacturer's championship, becoming the first manufacturer to win the manufacturer's championship other than Chevrolet since 2002.

2016 marked the final season for 2000 season champion Bobby Labonte and 28-time race winner Carl Edwards, and the final Cup years for David Reutimann, John Nemechek, Brian Scott, Josh Wise, Patrick Carpentier, Eddie MacDonald, Robert Richardson Jr., Ryan Ellis, Alex Kennedy, and Tommy Baldwin Racing. However, Labonte returned to Cup competition in 2018, and Tommy Baldwin Racing returned to Cup competition in 2019.

Technical changes
All cars began using a digital dashboard starting in 2016. The dashboard only provided information that was available on manual gauges and lap times, but there are plans to work in tire pressure readings and other telemetry to drivers, teams, and fans at home by 2020.

At all tracks except Daytona and Talladega:


 * The rear spoiler height was reduced from 6 inches to 3.5 inches.
 * The radiator pan width was reduced from 38 inches to 33 inches.

At Daytona and Talladega:


 * Engine roller lifters replaced solid lifters, adding around 10 horsepower to each car.
 * Restrictor plates had the openings reduced from 29/32 inches to 57/64 inches to counter the horsepower increase.

Safety enhancements at all tracks:


 * There must be an on-board fire suppression system activation cable routed to the dash or right-hand side leg board.
 * Seat belt restraint systems must meet increased specifications.

Other changes:


 * All track bar and wedge wrenches must be painted red.
 * NASCAR changed inspection methods, reducing pre-race inspection time but increasing the amount of time teams have to present their cars for pre-qualifying inspection. In addition, NASCAR utilized new inspection methods aided by Microsoft Surface tablets to further increase efficiencies.
 * Three-digit numbers were allowed again for the first time since 1971.
 * Teams may now use tires from a manufacturer other than Goodyear; approved manufacturers include Hoosier, Firestone, Michelin, Toyo, Dunlop, and General Tire; this move is credited with sparking a third tire war that, as of 2019, is still ongoing with no clear-cut leader

Schedule
The final calendar – comprising 39 races, as well as exhibition races, which are the Busch Clash, Gatorade Duel qualifying duel races for the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR All-Star Race – was released on October 26, 2015. At the end of the 2016 season, Suzuka Circuit will host NASCAR's 2,500th race, one week before the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.