Qualifying refinements

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In: NASCAR Cup Series News

A few small tweaks, introduced by NASCAR during Media Day at Daytona, should spice up qualifying in the top three touring series this year.
Based on feedback from race teams, NASCAR will allow adjustments during time trial sessions as well as during breaks between the sessions,

NASCAR Vice President of Competition and Racing Development Robin Pemberton announced Thursday.

“Starting in Phoenix (the first NASCAR Sprint Cup event using a new group qualifying format), the teams will be able to adjust during their qualifying rounds and in the breaks of their qualifying rounds,” Pemberton said.

“If it’s during the round when the track is hot (active), there will be one crew member over the wall that must wear a helmet, and he can perform the adjustments which are tape, tire pressures and wedge (as well as track bar). And then, during the breaks, it will be three crew members when the track is cold, and they’ll go over to perform those duties.”

NASCAR also grouped the five road courses collectively used in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with the tracks shorter than 1.25 miles for qualifying purposes. Time trials at those venues start with a 30-minute session that narrows the field to the fastest 12 cars and sets positions 13-43, followed by a 10-minute session that determines the starting order of the top 12.

“Through feedback, they felt like the second or last round needed to be a little bit longer (at road courses) to get multiple laps in on the track, so this should optimize their track time,” Pemberton said.

At tracks measuring 1.25 miles and longer, three sessions will determine the starting order. The first, 25 minutes long, will winnow the field to the 24 fastest and set positions 25-43. After the second session (10 minutes), the top 12 will advance to a final five-minute session to crown the pole winner and complete the starting order.

The Daytona 500 will use its traditional single-car format to determine the front row and Budweiser Duel 150-mile qualifying races to set the starting order of the next 30 cars. Pemberton said adjustments will not be allowed during qualifying sessions at subsequent races at Daytona and Talladega because of the efficacy of the draft at those restrictor-plate venues.

The NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series will use the new format during Speedweeks at Daytona.

NASCAR Wire Service
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