Superspeedway Qualifying Format Updated for Talladega, & Daytona

[Ajwehr]

NASCAR unveiled modifications to the qualifying format at superspeedways across all three national series. The updated format will take effect at Talladega Superspeedway for the NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next month. Qualifying for May's Talladega Superspeedway races, as well as the July events at Daytona International Speedway, will consist of the following:
· Two rounds of qualifying, with the top-12 posted lap speeds advancing to the second round
· Race vehicles taking one, timed lap in each round of qualifying
· Each race vehicle will be released in a predetermined timed interval as determined by NASCAR, with the sanctioning body reserving the right to have more than one vehicle engaging in qualifying runs at the same time
· Qualifying order for the first round will be determined by a random draw; final round qualifying order is determined by slowest to fastest speeds from the first round
· A 10-minute break will occur between the first qualifying round and the final round
· Upon completion of the first qualifying round, the field will be set with positions 13 and beyond determined from first round qualifying speed
· The 12 fastest vehicles from the first round will have their speeds reset for the final round with starting positions 1-12 determined by the fastest laps in the final round
· NASCAR will impound race vehicles following each qualifying lap; vehicles advancing to the final round will be allowed to adjust tape and utilize a cool-down unit during the 10-minute break only
The NASCAR XFINITY Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be at Talladega Superspeedway May 1-3. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying will air live May 2 on FOX at 1:00pm/et. The Winn Dixie 300 and GEICO 500 will air live on FOX on May 2 (3:00pm/et) and May 3 (1:00pm/et), respectively.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will utilize the format for the first time when the series returns to Talladega Superspeedway with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in October. Qualifying procedures for the 2016 Daytona 500 will be announced at a later date.

Credit NASCAR and Jayski.com

 

[AMLNet49]

Common sense prevails. The first time they did superspeedway group qualifying at Talladega last year it actually worked well, but the sessions since then have been a disaster. The part I don't understand is that you only get one lap. On superspeedways, the first lap is usually a throwaway because the restrictor plates take a lap and a half to reach full speed, so shouldn't they get two laps? Getting one lap would make the qualifying times very slow.

 

[K.Chuck]

Its a mix of the old and new system. I think it will work pretty well

 

[jordanvile]

I'm kinda disappointed. Basically the one chance these underfunded teams get to nail in a great qualifying time is being ripped away from them. Looks like RAB Racing won't be making a race anytime soon...

 

[FloridaFan88]

This is the way to qualify on superspeedways. Nice balance between old and new. Great move.

 

[AMLNet49]

I'm kinda disappointed. Basically the one chance these underfunded teams get to nail in a great qualifying time is being ripped away from them. Looks like RAB Racing won't be making a race anytime soon...

The big teams messing with the old system is what ruined the chance. NASCAR had no choice because the teams ruined the old system.

 

[evan07]

If they really want people to get excited for qualifying take the plates off and let them do single car runs for qualifying. Guys are going 220 mph and track records are being broken. Would be a must watch session.

 

[dalejr88rox]

If they really want people to get excited for qualifying take the plates off and let them do single car runs for qualifying. Guys are going 220 mph and track records are being broken. Would be a must watch session.

That would also be stupid and dangerous

 

[Mystical]

aww but I missed all the senseless and hysterical crashes

/sarcasm

This new system sounds much better.

 

[Steven Merzlak]

That would also be stupid and dangerous

While yes, they may be going faster, think of how many people are actually in the stands during qualifying. They could always keep them to the top sections of the stands.

 

[RP Motorsports]

Common sense prevails. The first time they did superspeedway group qualifying at Talladega last year it actually worked well, but the sessions since then have been a disaster. The part I don't understand is that you only get one lap. On superspeedways, the first lap is usually a throwaway because the restrictor plates take a lap and a half to reach full speed, so shouldn't they get two laps? Getting one lap would make the qualifying times very slow.

Its one timed lap. They will still get a warmup lap.

 

[NDilbeckWx]

While yes, they may be going faster, think of how many people are actually in the stands during qualifying. They could always keep them to the top sections of the stands.

I'm not so sure the fans are what he's referencing as to being in danger, certainly more so. Besides, if I recall correctly, didn't debris from Larson's wreck in Daytona end up in the upper deck? A tire comes to mind, so yeah, no.

To add to that, how many more drivers do we need to sit out for "x" number of races because of injuries before everyone realizes how bad an idea that no-plate thing is?

 

[AMLNet49]

Its one timed lap. They will still get a warmup lap.

To go full speed they need a lap coming out of the pits, one complete lap, and then they are full speed for the next lap. If you look back at the days of single car runs on plate tracks their first timed lap was much slower than their second lap, because the engines were still warming up. It takes about 1.5 full laps for the restrictor plate engines to reach full speed.

 

[dalejr88rox]

I'm not so sure the fans are what he's referencing as to being in danger, certainly more so. Besides, if I recall correctly, didn't debris from Larson's wreck in Daytona end up in the upper deck? A tire comes to mind, so yeah, no.

To add to that, how many more drivers do we need to sit out for "x" number of races because of injuries before everyone realizes how bad an idea that no-plate thing is?

I wasn't originally referring to fans, but that just reinforces my point. Restrictor plates are there for safety, and it would be incredibly stupid to take them off for "excitement". Might as well take off the roof flaps and spoilers since that should be "exciting" too

 

[RP Motorsports]

To go full speed they need a lap coming out of the pits, one complete lap, and then they are full speed for the next lap. If you look back at the days of single car runs on plate tracks their first timed lap was much slower than their second lap, because the engines were still warming up. It takes about 1.5 full laps for the restrictor plate engines to reach full speed.

Very much aware. Been watching since about '88. (Also, it's not about the engines warming up, it's about getting the RPM's wound up, and building momentum - hence running the first lap up top.)

And NASCAR is very much aware too. They aren't going to send'em out of the pits and hit the stop watch. They know what they're doing (despite so many wanting to believe the contrary).

 

[MattSRD28]

While yes, they may be going faster, think of how many people are actually in the stands during qualifying. They could always keep them to the top sections of the stands.

Well we could forget the cars and have the drivers fight lions instead. That would fill some grandstands.

 

[Ajwehr]

I know someone is gonna try it, NASCAR releases the car it goes slow waits for other car to be released and they draft together posting big lap. You know someone is thinking that!

 

[4WideRacing]

I know someone is gonna try it, NASCAR releases the car it goes slow waits for other car to be released and they draft together posting big lap. You know someone is thinking that!

Nascar would just wait to release the other car, which would only hurt the driver who may try to gain an advantage

 

[vozdt24]

Nascar would just wait to release the other car, which would only hurt the driver who may try to gain an advantage

Exactly. They're doing this to cut down on the dicking around in qualifying,

 

[Goblin]

I know someone is gonna try it, NASCAR releases the car it goes slow waits for other car to be released and they draft together posting big lap. You know someone is thinking that!

Someone WILL try this. Its something I've been thinking about ever since this was announced. The original post even says that cars will be released from pit road at a "predetermined time interval". Even if they wouldn't allow stopping after exit to wait for the next car, a driver could pull all the way to the backstretch (and by then would be when the next car should be released or else if NASCAR waited, by the time the second car made it up to full speed the first one would catch them anyways), then slam on the brakes, wait for the other car, and then continue qualifying as a tandem. They could probably go as far as backing up to the exit of turn two to try and get enough speed to hit atleast 180 coming to the first lap. And by then there would more than likely be a THIRD car released to which could make it a three car pack. NASCAR certainly had no problem with drivers driving backwards a lap when they spun out on one of their laps, so I don't see why drivers couldn't do it here. Im not trying to be pessimistic about this, I'm just saying someone's going to try this unless further rules are added. Just go back to the old single-car qualifying at superspeedways, it was flawless.