NASCAR Changes the Rules!
NASCAR Changes the Rules!
Posted by GEORGE January 22, 2008 4:23:46 PM
We've been saying NASCAR needed to change the qualifying rules to make them fair for teams outside the top 35. Teams not in the top 35 will now qualify as a group at the end of their qualifying sessions.
Here's how it will work: Starting with the California race next month, Sprint Cup teams outside the top 35 will continue to participate in the drawing for qualifying order, but will slide behind the group of 35 who are locked into the field. Drivers outside the top 35 will attempt to qualify as a group, making track conditions a non-issue. For these drivers, this will eliminate the possibility of having to qualify early while others might have qualified later when track conditions are more favorable.
Is this really a big deal? You better believe it is! Especially when the sun goes down and grip on the track surface is better for qualifiers on the track at the end of qualifying.
This new qualifying procedure will be used in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Craftsman Truck Series. This is a step ahead for NASCAR, implemented because the teams and NASCAR fans convinced NASCAR that it is the right thing to do. Good move NASCAR!
Also partially due to fan input, NASCAR is changing the way money collected from fines is distributed. In the past, NASCAR has held money accumulated from fines during the race season and distributed it back to NASCAR teams through the points fund. (I wish the Sheriff's Department here in Iowa would adopt the same procedure.) Anyway, NASCAR fans agree, the money should not go back to the teams, drivers, and especially not the offenders who paid the fines. So NASCAR has listened and now money received from fines will be donated to the NASCAR Foundation to support charitable causes. Another good move NASCAR!
NASCAR fans spoke and NASCAR listened!
Check back on Thursday as I make qualifying for the Daytona 500 sound easy.
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