Qualifying Format In The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
In
NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, the series will move to a 36-6-1 format
where the fastest 36 cars will make the race on speed.
The
next six highest ranking cars in owners points that have not already
earned a starting position through qualifying and who have entered the
event by the posted entry deadline will also make the field. The final
starting position will be awarded to the most recent eligible past
champion driver. If there is no eligible past champion driver, then a
seventh car will make the field based upon owners’ points.
Provisional positions in the 36-6-1 format will be lined up by owners’ points, not speed.
Since
2005, the top 35 cars in owners’ points were guaranteed a spot in the
field. Now, only a maximum of seven cars will be locked into a given
race.
“This
is a big win for our fans,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president
of competition. “They’ll see the fastest cars earn their starting
spots. This change adds intrigue, drama and excitement to qualifying.”
In
2013, the qualifying order for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events will
return to a random draw. However, in the event qualifying is canceled
due to rain, the field will be set per the rule book and the starting
lineup will continue to be determined by practice speeds.
Additionally,
provisional positions in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will be based upon the previous year’s
owner points for the first three races, as opposed to the first
five races in previous years for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and the NASCAR
Nationwide Series, and four races for the NASCAR Camping World Truck
Series.
