The New Qualifying Procedures for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, starting at Phoenix in Feb 2011:
Qualifying order set by LAST practice speeds, slowest to fastest.
Non-Top 35 drivers grouped together at end of session.
Starting grid set by practice speeds if qualifying canceled.
Starting lineup set by owners points of all practices and qualifying are canceled.
New Qualifying Procedure in 2011 – The qualifying order will be set based upon slowest to fastest practice speeds. Inclement Weather Qualifying – If bad weather cancels qualifying, the final starting lineup will be determined by practice speeds. The same rule book procedures will be used to determine eligibility to start a race. If weather cancels practice sessions, then the starting lineup will be set by points, per the rule book.(1-26-2011)
What happens if qualifying gets rained out? [rules book]
If it is the first five races of the season, the previous season OWNERS points are used:
#1) - Previous season Owner Points [position 1-35][top 35 teams do NOT need to attempt ALL the races]
#2) - Race winners from the previous and current season not already in the field
#3) - ALL Past Cup Champions not in by 1 or 2
#4) - Current season Owner Points [Top 35][not in by rules 1-3]
#5) - Current season race attempts ties broken by current owners points standings [not in by rules 1-4]
After the 5th race of the season, the current season OWNERS points are used:
#1) - First 35 by current Owner Points [position 1-35][top 35 teams do NOT need to attempt ALL the races]
#2) - Last Years Cup Champ or the Event Champion if not already in the field
#3) - Car Owners whose team has won in the previous and current season not already in the field
#4) - Drivers who have won in the previous and current season not already in the field
#5) - ALL Past Cup Champions not in by 1 thru 4 [is NOT charged against the 6 past champ provisionals]
#6) - Most Qualifying Attempts [not starts] with Owners points as the tie breaker
#7) - Qualifying Order Position
(all above apply as long as the team was entered by the entry deadline - usually 7-13 days before the race)
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