Why do Nascar races have 43 cars rather than another number?

Answer 1

NASCAR wanted to standardize the size of the fields and after some trial and error, settled on a field consisting of 36 qualifiers with six provisionals that could be used by the regular drivers. That's a total of 42 cars.
The story about the odd car, the 43rd starter, began about twelve years ago when Darrell Waltrip was having trouble making the starting lineup. NASCAR created a Champions Provisional to help get Waltrip into the field. In fact it could be used to help any present or ex-champion but recently was used for other drivers, if a Champions Provisional wasn't used. It goes to the car owner with the highest points that didn't qualify on speed.

Answer 2

There have been various numbers of cars running events since NASCAR started.I've seen as few as 16 and one year at Talladega they ran 60.
The amount of cars running varied according to which track they were at.A 1/4 mile would have 20 or 25 run a1/2 mile 30 a mile track 40 or 45 and a 2 or more mile track may have 60 or more(same with road coarses).
When the modern era begain the saller tracks were dropped so 1/2 mile and larger were the norm none of the 1/4,1/3,2/5.Testing showed that 43 cars could run on the tracks safely .Plus this would be a consistant number and would make competition tighter.No more of the point leader not quailifing and going home(provisionals were not used) or no more of thet local hero running 1 race winning.

Answer 3

I've always wanted to asked someone this question who's 'in the know'. But I suppose it has something to do with Richard Petty's legendary number. Originally the 43rd starter was ONLY reserved for the most recent Champion if they couldn't qualify, thus for years the field was limited to 42 open spots. I did attend a race at Ontario Motor Speedway in 1972 and had 51 starters, 17 rows, 3 abreast, THAT LOOKED REALLY AWESOME!!!

Answer 4

Gregnir was mostly right. Except that it was Darrell Waltrip that got Nascar to adopt the past champion's provisional. Richard Petty retired after the last race of the year in 1992.

Answer 5

I listened to the announcers answer this question last season. It is a tv ratings thing. The networks that carry the races want to have enough of a variety and quantity so they decided on 43 cars each week. They put that in the contract with NASCAR. That's also why you see them focusing on other drivers than the leader or the most popular one that season.

Answer 6

50 could not qualify

Answer 7

because 43 ==== 4x3=12 and flyin Ryan is the rocket man:).. not lol i guess i don't know.