NASCAR alters qualifying formats

[OldCracker29]

I didn't see anything concerning engines? Like could they change the engine before the actual race or run what you brung type of arrangement?

Could put some pressure on the engine departments to get a little more durability out of the engines as opposed to being right on the edge of self destruction at 502 miles.

During the breaks between sessions, teams will be allowed to make standard adjustments to their cars, such as wedge, track bar and air pressure, but will not be allowed to go under the hood or make major setup changes.

They can't go under the hood. So, no swapping engines..

I think Red is talking about before the actual race. I agree with him. This is going to put a lot of stress on those engines.

 

[JOEGMC]

I'm kind of up in the air with this. I can see some cars getting wiped out before the race even starts. Sure, they wreck during qualifying at times, but only one car is being taken out. I guess we wait and see how it pans out.

The drivers will have opportunities to become "unsettled", before the race starts, and maybe they'll be some paybacks from the previous race as the season progresses.

Should be exciting to watch

 

[Darkanion]

I think Red is talking about before the actual race. I agree with him. This is going to put a lot of stress on those engines.

OH! Between qualifying and the race start.

That would probably fall under the "change the engine, go to the back of the field" rules they've had in recent years. Same for wrecking (or for some other reason) having to go to your backup car.

 

[OldCracker29]

I think Red is talking about before the actual race. I agree with him. This is going to put a lot of stress on those engines.

OH! Between qualifying and the race start.

That would probably fall under the "change the engine, go to the back of the field" rules they've had in recent years. Same for wrecking (or for some other reason) having to go to your backup car.

Yeah, you're probably right on that... I think this is going to turn into an expensive endeavor for the teams.

 

[Darkanion]

Yeah, you're probably right on that... I think this is going to turn into an expensive endeavor for the teams.

More strategies / games for big organizations like Hendrick, Rousch, Childress, et al. to play with.

 

[Dartboy]

I didn't see anything about the "top 35 being locked in." Has anyone seen anything to indicate that rule has changed?

I believe the top 35 rule is still in effect, as are the standard provisionals.

 

[Darkanion]

I didn't see anything about the "top 35 being locked in." Has anyone seen anything to indicate that rule has changed?

I believe the top 35 rule is still in effect, as are the standard provisionals.

Yeah, I figured as much. There would be too much backlash if Jr missed a race.

 

[daddy]

I didn't see anything about the "top 35 being locked in." Has anyone seen anything to indicate that rule has changed?

I believe the top 35 rule is still in effect, as are the standard provisionals.

Yeah, I figured as much. There would be too much backlash if Jr missed a race.

He misses every race.

 

[Darkanion]

He misses every race.

Showin' up so the merch truck sells shirts is showin' up enough for a lot fans and vendors!

 

[Dartboy]

Why not just draw names out of a hat? Qualifying is pretty meaningless, but I think this new format is going to be an even larger separator of the "haves" from the "Have nots" expect to see the same 12 names at the top every week. It used to be the top guys would sometimes bobble a lap and fall back into the pack, now guys like JJ are going to have a whole 1/2 hour to set a fast time, and then they'll get extra practice time "qualifying" for the next session. While JJ is out there learning how his car handles on old tires, David Reutimann will be sitting in his camper wondering what his car will do.