I sort of understand how qualifying works, I'm just not sure why they have it that way. Why can someone with a top 20 time fail to qualify? If you could explain Nascar's reasoning, and maybe your own insight into this it would be appreciated.
2007-10-31 18:42:30 · 12 answers · asked by ? 2 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
These are the rules for filling the 43 car starting grid:
1. The top 35 cars in the owners standings are guaranteed a spot in the race, regardless of qualifying time (or failure to complete a qualifying lap due to mechanical or accident).
2. The remaining entrants are called qualifiers. The 8 fastest qualifiers will make the race, the others will go home. The qualifiers are racing amongst themselves and not the entire field. Thus, a qualifier could have the 9th fastest time and still not make the race.
3. If a past series champion is a qualifier outside the top 8, he will bump the 8th qualifier via a "Past champions" exemption. 6 such exemptions are granted per car, and per driver each year. No exemption is used if the driver has a top 8 qualifier time.
NASCAR does this to reward teams that perform well consistently, or are lucky enough not to be involved in others' crashes.
The number of secured entries is too high... it should be lowered to about 25. This would make qualifying a lot more interesting.
2007-10-31 21:20:43 · answer #1 · answered by Stats C (unbiased analysis) 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Several good answers here.
The top 35 in owners points and provisionals are free rides.With limited testing and reduced practices some teams get their cars into a racing setup so it is slower to quailify.NASCAR assures these nteams a spot with the top 35 in owners points.35 from 43 leave 8 which is the catual number to quailify but this number can be reduced to 7 with the past champion provisional as this driver could take the 43rd quailifing position if they don't make the field.NASCAR has limited to 6 the number a past champion can use.
Politics play a role in NASCAR and the top 35 in therory prevents a major team from going home.
Drop the top 35,and trash the provisionals and let the fastest 43 race.Sorry if a major team has a problem and has to go home there is always next week.
2007-11-01 08:25:00 · answer #2 · answered by blakree 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It rewards the sponsors. No one wants to fork out the millions it takes to sponsor a team and then not have their car run in the race.
It takes the pressure off the established teams and regulars who no longer have to worry about qualifying setups or pushing the cars to perform during qualifying.
It gives past champions like Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte a lot of options to make money since a past champion's provisional is about the only option (other than time) for fielding cars if you're not in the top 35.
I saw an interview where Jeff Burton actually had the nerve to suggest that they ought to increase the number of automatics above 35. Fine, Jeff, as long as you're one of them. But, IMHO, it's another way Nascar has ruined the sport.
2007-11-01 09:08:58 · answer #3 · answered by Tom 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only logic I see is that Nascar wants to promote the big names for the ticket sales. Big names guaranteed in the race mean more $$$$$$$. As far as I am concerned, EVERYONE should qualify on time. The fastest 43 make the race, and that is that!
Go Jr.>>>>
2007-11-01 12:03:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First there is no logic in NASCAR, there is no consistency in NASCAR...that said, the top 35 rule makes it so the go or go homers have to qualify in a certain position or they go home. NASCAR is considering changes to this rule, so we will have to wait and see if this is another bug to muck things up or if it would actually work
2007-11-01 08:54:32 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Papabill has this totally right on!!!, Yes dump the past champion provisional & and the top 35 owners point crap, let the 43 fastest guys run....So what if one of the top teams has a bad week, s--t happens, come back next week....I'm old school can't help myself..Nascar has no logic anymore..
Go Dale Jr win Texas
2007-11-01 11:33:44 · answer #6 · answered by Go Team Penske 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the top 35 cars are guaranteed a spot in the field. Then the cars that aren't in the top 35 have to make it in by putting up a good lap. Some drivers will use there champions provisional which means they can use it for six weeks only if they have to and they are guaranted a spot.
hope this helps.
2007-11-01 05:13:28 · answer #7 · answered by Sara 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1-35 in points get in regardless of Qualifying Time. So there are only 8 Spots remaining!!!!
2007-11-01 20:23:07 · answer #8 · answered by Ed P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fastest cars make the show. they can be bumped by someone using provisionals awarded for past champions and etc. Some one that is in the top twenty after qualifying should be in unless they fail tech or break a rule.
2007-11-01 02:15:20 · answer #9 · answered by Knuckles™ 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Logic - NASCAR
An oxymoron if I ever heard one
Still the best though!
2007-11-01 10:44:20 · answer #10 · answered by MD 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋