NASCAR alters qualifying formats

[Darkanion]

No, they're definitely not going to allow something like that to happen, but "back in the day" when qualifying was a big deal, that was part of the draw. Then Richard Petty missed a few races and it's all gone downhill from there

If by "downhill" you mean making sure the drivers the fans want to see are going round & round the track each week.... Yes, downhill since then.

 

[Dartboy]

I mean monkeying with the rules for a show rather than just having a race to see who has the fastest car.

 

[Darkanion]

I mean monkeying with the rules for a show rather than just having a race to see who has the fastest car.

Drama (fake or not) creates interest which leads to higher ratings, which leads to more advertisers and sponsors. In their fantasies, if they could monkey with things to create a Super Bowl type event every single week, have all the seats filled, and ratings through the roof, they would do that.

It's not about the competition or the sport. It's about the money. Anything that they think may increase the money, they'll try.