New NASCAR National Series Qualifying
For The Coors Light Pole Award Unveiled
Format Designed To Enhance Fan Experience, Broadcast and Digital Content
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2014) –
In a move aimed
toward enhancing the fan experience watching at the track and at home,
NASCAR has announced a new group qualifying format for its three
national series that is more
compelling, more closely emulates actual on-track competition and
underlines the sport’s on-going commitment to innovation.
At tracks measuring 1.25 miles in length or larger, qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of three rounds:
·
The
first qualifying elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and
includes all cars / trucks. The 24 cars / trucks that post the fastest
single lap
from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round.
·
The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
·
The
second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and
the 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest single lap time will advance
to the
third and final round. The fastest remaining cars / trucks earn
positions 13th through 24th based on their times posted in qualifying in
descending order.
·
The
third and final qualifying round will be five minutes in duration and
the fastest single lap time will determine positions 1st through 12th in
descending
order.
·
There will be a five-minute break between each qualifying round.
At tracks measuring less than 1.25 miles,
qualifying for the Coors Light Pole Award will consist of two rounds:
·
The
first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and
includes all cars / trucks. The 12 cars / trucks that post the fastest
single lap
time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and
final round.
·
The remaining cars / trucks will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.
·
There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds.
·
The
second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes in duration and
the fastest single lap time posted will determine positions 1st through
12th in
descending order.
The
new qualifying format does not apply to the Daytona 500, which will
preserve its historic and unique qualifying format. Additionally, it
does
not apply to non-points NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events or the NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway.
NASCAR
previewed the concept of group qualifying with its national series
teams late last fall and expects the new format will be a well-received
improvement by its fans, competitors, tracks, sponsors and media
partners.
“We
believe the timing is right for a new qualifying format across our
three national series,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president for
competition
and racing development. “This style of group qualifying has all the
makings of being highly competitive and more engaging to our fans in the
stands and those watching on television and online. For the drivers and
teams, we believe this new qualifying will
fuel even greater competition leading into the events. Additionally, it
provides our tracks, broadcasters and other key partners with a greater
opportunity to develop more entertaining content for our race
weekends.”
For more details on the new qualifying formal, please visit NASCARMedia.com for a
Fact Sheet / FAQs or visit NASCAR.com. Please note that the
official title of the award in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is
the Keystone Light Pole Award.
