NASCAR's new rule could help rookies Stenhouse, Patrick

• For the first time in five years, teams can test on Sprint Cup tracks other than Daytona in 2013
• Teams will be able to pick up to four tracks to conduct tests
• Jimmie Johnson satisfied but says, "I was hoping for more"

DOVER, Del. — NASCAR will allow teams to conduct independent testing at Sprint Cup tracks for the first time in five years next season.

Vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said organizations will be allowed to choose four tracks in NASCAR's premier series for next season in addition to the "Preseason Thunder" open test at Daytona International Speedway in early January.

Daytona is the only NASCAR-sanctioned track used for non-Goodyear tire tests since NASCAR banned testing at tracks that play host to races in its national series after the 2008 season.

"We feel like it's time to open that up and allow the teams to manage their testing and get back on facilities that host our events," Pemberton said. "It's up to them to pick where they want to go."

The move was met with positive reaction by NASCAR teams, which have continued to test at non-sanctioned tracks despite the limited amount of effective data that can be derived at tracks with varying characteristics.

"It's awesome; that's all we're asking for," five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson said of the policy change. "We're still testing, but we're all testing at tracks that don't relate. So in a way we're spinning our wheels and kind of wasting funds. I was hopeful for more, but I'm very excited to hear that's the case."

The tests should be a boon to 2013 Sprint Cup rookies Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Danica Patrick, who will be able to gain experience without being under the duress of a race weekend.

"That's going to be huge," said Stenhouse, the 2011 Nationwide Series champion. "The Nationwide cars drive so great compared to the Cup cars with so much horsepower and to get extra tests next year will definitely be a benefit for us. Everybody else will be able to get faster, too, but I think it'll help me kind of speed up and catch up with the learning curve."

The extra track time should help teams adjust to a new car for 2013 that is designed to more closely resemble its showroom counterpart.

It's difficult to measure if the additional testing will have a measurable impact on the quality of racing, though some are hopeful it might give inexperienced drivers and teams a better chance at improving.

"The end result of what we see on the track it's hard to say, but at least we're spending money in the right area," Johnson said. "We have such old data sets for racetracks that it's crazy. It gives teams a chance to go work on their weaker tracks and get new data files."

Said Brad Keselowski: "Any time you get track time at tracks you race at, testing is very healthy for (NASCAR). We need to continue to develop and break the rut that we're in as a sport as far as new drivers and new people not being able to break in, and maybe even new car owners. I think that'll help with that."