Why do slower drivers sometimes qualify ahead of faster drivers in NASCAR qualifying?

Question

If you look at the qualifying grid for Darlington '07 you'll see that Jeremy Mayfield didn't qualify with a speed of 162.292 even though it was faster than nine other drivers who did qualify (without using owner points.) I understand that NASCAR likes to dictate the end of races with caution flags but they don't seem to be playing fair with the starting grid either.

Answer 1

In Nascar's Defense (oh goodness i can't believe I'm saying this) but to reward a team that has been loyal to Nascar and run the entire last year (because you'd believe someone with perfect attendance should be close to the Top 35 in points), they allow them to have a guarenteed starting spot. Although I am not a huge fan of this system, it makes sure that the guys pulling the T.V. rating, big sponsors and large fan counts (eg. Dale Jr, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin etc.), will be racing in the races.
I personally think if people follow these guys because they are the best, they would have the skill to qualify on there own, although i'm sure that they would 35 out of 36 races, the one time that they spin out or wreck in qualifying would mean that there would be upset sponsors and fans.

I hope NASCAR goes to the 43 fastest gets into the show. NO PROVISIONALS OR OWNER POINTS!!


That is my opinion

Answer 2

The owners points automatically making the field is not necessarily for the fans... it's more for the sponsors....

This is the way that NASCAR protects the established teams income base. If you make the show, the sponsors are happy and continue to pay out big bucks to the teams. HOWEVER, if you don't make the show, then the sponsor is more likely to move to a better team just to be able to have that "rolling billboard" on Saturday or Sunday.

Think about NAPA and Waltrip Racing - it's been two years since he was consistent and a threat to win. Now, do you think that they'll stick around when their contract is up or will they start hunting for an established team that can guarantee exposure on race day?

Survival of the fastest is not a truism in NASCAR when it comes to qualifying, it's rewarding consistency on race day throughout the year, then allowing you to race within the race with qualifying.

I agree that it should be the fastest 43 or something similar to that in order to make it fair. (see my other entries on qualifying from previous questions). Unfortunately NASCAR is a business first, then a sport.

Answer 3

I'm torn between owner points and the go or go homers. On the one hand I feel like the top 35 got there through lots of hard work and effort from the teams as a whole. But I dislike when a veteran who's slower gets to race over a faster rookie. Like Ken Schrader, I'm sorry to harp on the guy, but why should he get to race and stay in the bottom 40's through out the whole race, when someone who qualified faster has to go home. Doesn't seem too fair and I think NASCAR has to rework some of that out.

**** I understand that NASCAR likes to dictate the end of races with caution flags but they don't seem to be playing fair with the starting grid either***** TONY???? Is that you? LOL

Answer 4

It depends if the driver has already completed a lap. Lets say Joe Nemechek who is a go or go home car *needs to qualify to race* completes a lap and his time is recorded. Joe goes for a second lap and puts the #87 in the wall and the car is totaled. Joes time would be set by his first lap because he had already recorded a time. If Joe wrecked his first lap then he would be called DNF or did not finish. David ragan got a DNF on his qualifying lap today at Infienon which essentilaly means his time was withdrawn and he will start at the back. Now even though Davids time is withdrawn because he wasnt able to complete a qualifying lap, he is still guartneed to start the race because hes in the top 35 in owner points. If in Joe Nemecheks case, he wrecks on the first lap because hes a go or go home car he would go home unless if a bunch of other drivers in the Go or go home category crash during there time runs. So to sum it all up if you complete a lap in qualifying and you wreck the 2nd lap, ur time from your 1st lap is scored. If you wreck your 1st lap of Qualifying you dont recieve a time and start at the end of the field.

Answer 5

NASCAR wants the fans favorites in the field so provisionals and the top 35 owners points to lock in teams.This assures that the Gordon,or Johnson,or Junior,or Kenseth or,Kahne ect make the field.
As for the Waltrips or Mayfield or Bliss ect NASCAR views them as field fillers and if they do quailify fine if not thats file,as long as the "top" names are in there.
NASCAR should go back to the fastest 43 race.The rest try again the next week.

Answer 6

It depends on owner points and past champions provisionals and other things like that like driver and owner points. It's all a little complicated you just have to get used to it and the qualifying might change as the fastest 43 race and thats it but their would be alot of down sides to that....

Answer 7

i wanna say owner points, but then i can't help myself from saying it has to do with the the the track temprature, car set-up,time of day, positioning of the sun, and the ole what number you pulled out of the hat thing. it all plays roles in how you qualify.Even wind speed is a factor. Watch qualifying one day and really listen to every little word. you'll catch on.

Answer 8

Owners points...right now owners points have the top 35 locked into the race...everyone else has to race their way in...you are right there does need to be a more fair way to decide who races...

Answer 9

it;s that top 35 thing in owner points, I think it should be all have to get in on time,, I miss watching Michael W.

Answer 10

owners points dumbest thing i've ever heard of