[2002Z4CSS]

They should just let the guys race and do away with the chase all together.

[ho428]

It'll end up like the NBA, play a full season only to eliminate less than half the teams, then start over for the playoffs.
NASCAR is a joke, they just don't get that they are the punch line.

[MikeNoun]

Now it looks like they changed the qualifying format as well.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR is overhauling its qualifying process and will go to a knockout format similar to Formula One and IndyCar. The new format will not be used for the Daytona 500, non-points events in the Sprint Cup Series and the Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway in Ohio.

NASCAR will use three rounds of qualifying at tracks 1.25 miles in length or larger. The entire field will have 25 minutes to post their fastest single lap and the top 24 advance to the second round.

The second segment will last 10 minutes and the fastest 12 will advance to a final, five-minute round.

At tracks smaller than 1.25 miles, qualifying will be in two segments. The first will be 30 minutes with the top 12 advancing to a 10-minute final session.

[The Champ]

^ The benefit to the above qualifying format is the weather/sunshine. When it's one car on the track at a time the track temperatures can change dramatically from qualifier to qualifier.

If you go out after several minutes of bright sunshine, your time will be slower than the guy that goes out after several minutes of shade.

I understand the why's and where's of what they are doing and it makes good sense to me.

[MikeNoun]

It's a good format in Formula 1, they've been doing this for a long time. One of the only problems they have is when someone is trying to capture pole, they get in a perfect lap, only to be interrupted by a slower car in their path, ruining that lap. And with NASCAR having so many more cars on the track at one time than F1, top drivers will be picking and choosing where and when, and with whom, they will turn in their "hot" laps with.

Also interesting will be drafting.

In F1, there really isn't any drafting for more than a couple seconds per lap (if at all) during qualifying. But in NASCAR, two cars (teammates) could hook up in tandem and turn in super fast laps for qualifying.

[arbys]

From what I heard they will qualify in groups that were determined by their practice laps. The slowest will be in one group, the next slowest in the next group and so on.

[ho428]

I see drafting, deal making and teamwork really screwing up qualifying for some with that format.
WWF mentality at work again.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by ho428

I see drafting, deal making and teamwork really screwing up qualifying for some with that format.
WWF mentality at work again.

How about 'corporate teams' freight-training their cars in qualifying? That's what I see happening.

It wasn't that long ago...races were the "Single-File Drafting 500's" ...just like they "changed the rules previously" to break them up to prevent fan race viewing boredom - remember?

"Shampoo, Rinse, Repeat"

[Blackened]

Seems to me that they can change it all they want, they're still going to get the same results. This guy is just head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

[ho428]

Originally Posted by Blackened

Seems to me that they can change it all they want, they're still going to get the same results. This guy is just head-and-shoulders above everyone else.

NASCAR will somehow get Kyle Bush a Championship this year, and it'll look like he really earned it.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by ho428

NASCAR will somehow get Kyle Bush a Championship this year, and it'll look like he really earned it.

I don't think he'll ever win one. I could be wrong, but I just don't think he will

Too much of a hot head and doesn't have the mentality to compete for the big prize.

Kurt Busch just might win another one with Stewart Haas Racing. He's learned his lesson and worked his way back into an "A" ride.

[A.W.Dille]

Originally Posted by ho428

NASCAR will somehow get Kyle Bush a Championship this year, and it'll look like he really earned it.

Won't happen as it'll be another bought championship as it was last year, and in years past. I find it hard to believe that the 48 can finish twenty-two positions behind the point leader and gain over twenty points to put him within a couple of points of the points leader. Same as a few years ago when the 48 crashed out at Daytona and finished 43rd and next race had gained so many points (and not winning that race either) that he had the points lead even though the points leader finished way ahead of him in position. Lots of money being slung under the table to buy the championships as I know several of his cars (while severely illegal) passed through the inspection process in most cases with flying colors. and money was what got the 24 in the Chase last year. the writing is already on the wall and as I said the season hasn't started yet. Under the old points system JJ may have two championships but no more.

[A.W.Dille]

well I see wrecked race cars or someone sandbagging to keep from getting a torn up race car. Doesn't matter, the writing is already on the wall (and the season hasn't started yet) as to who will be champion this year.

[camerjeff]

Well it looks like I have now officially lost interest, now that every major sponsored team is almost garranteeeeeeed a spot in the chase. So much for actual performance being rewarded.

[67GTONUT]

Getting to the point where I enjoy the racing...... but care less and less about the Championship, due to the fact they just manipulate the points structure each year.....

So I will watch the races..... but thats about it.

And the NASCAR.com website is about as horrible a website I have ever seen......