Changes to the Top-35 qualifying rule analyzed
Quote selected text Published July 23rd, 2007 in NASCAR News
Amid growing unrest among team owners on the wrong side of NASCAR’s rule guaranteeing the top 35 teams spots in each Nextel Cup field, a Charlotte Observer analysis of several potential alterations leads to the same conclusion.
In the first 10 races this season, traditional qualifying was held eight times. The exceptions were the Daytona 500, which has its own procedure, and at Texas, where qualifying was rained out. For the eight races in which traditional qualifying was held, 8.1% of the cars making the fields would have changed if NASCAR had allowed in the fastest 43. Only 7.6% would have differed if the top 12 teams were exempt, and it would’ve been only 6.4% if the top 25 were exempt.
If NASCAR were using its old format, with 36 cars qualifying on speed and seven provisionals, there would have been a 3.5% difference. If the rules had been different early this year, #55-Michael Waltrip would have had the most to gain under virtually any scenario. He missed all eight races analyzed would have made five of those with no exemptions, 12 exemptions or 25 exemptions. At the same time, those tweaks would have knocked Kyle Petty and Robby Gordon out of as many as four races they made, depending on which change had been employed.
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A one car difference may not be a lot, but to the people in that one car’s organization, it makes a huge difference in morale
There is a lot of top name sponsers outside the top 35 that see their teams go home every week. They deserve a chance to get in the race. Especially when they lose out by a couple thousands of a second and someone in the to 35 qualifys slower. Its time NASCAR goes back to the fastest 43. Let some of the other big name Sponsers sit out once in a while. From what I’ve read there could be as many as 5 more teams next year. Give them a chance.
Racers should qualify on speed at each event without exemption. Each driver should get 5 provisionals to use…….
Everyone’s exactly right. It doesn’t matter how small the difference,
fair is fair. They’ll never agree to just allowing the 43 fastest
cars into the field with no exceptions though, because god forbid
one of the big wigs wreck during qualifying. -Rolls eyes.- Hell I’m
a Jr fan and I say if he wrecks qualifying he should go home, he didn’t
earn his spot that week.
Speed is what it should be about. I looked up the definition of “qualify” and found this, “To be fitted or competent for something.” Wouldn’t the fastest cars be the most competent and the best fit for competition? Not the prettiest faces or the sponsors kissing NASCAR’s ass the most.
Fair is Fair. Let them RACE their way into the field. And I don’t believe a new team should be able to buy their way into the top 35 either. Hey, if NASCAR want to be on the same level as other professional sports then they need to play fair like other sports play. If the NFL had rules like NASCAR, then the Colts would be garanteed a playoff spot before the season even starts. I enjoyed two day qualifying, it gave everybody a fair shot at the race. But, NASCAR really doesn’t care what the fans think.
Nascar does not listen to the fans. The fastest and most
competitive teams should be in the race. Really if it were
not for the fans where would nascar be today? I am a huge
Jr. fan but if he is not the fastest or in the fastest group
then he should be sent home just like the ones who are going
home now. The favoritism in Nascar is unbelievable.
If we do not do well on our local track do you think the
sponsorship of our cars matter and it should be the same for
Nascar. If you qualify then you race, if you don’t then you
pack up and go home.
…we pay top dollar to see the best, not second best!
…earn your way in, or go home. Screw provisionals!