Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Breaking news

NASCAR adapts knockout qualifying

Knockout qualifying should make Friday's a bit more exciting in NASCAR.

Qualifying line

Qualifying line

Eric Gilbert

NASCAR announced its adoption of knockout qualifying for the foreseeable future, as it continues to enhance the fan experience at the track and at home.

For tracks 1.25 miles ad larger, there will be three rounds of qualifying. All cars will be invited on track for the first session, which will be 25 minutes long. Drivers will be pushing to be a part of the top 24 drivers to make it to the second round.

In the second round, drivers will have 15 minutes to post their best lap, with hopes of making it to the third and final round.

The third round will feature only 12 drivers, and will last a total of 5 minutes. The results of the qualifying sessions, including the elimination round will determine the starting order and Coors Light Pole Award. There will be five minute breaks in between each of those sessions.

On the shorter tracks, 1.25 miles and smaller, there will only be two rounds of qualifying.

The first round will again invite all cars/trucks on track for a 30 minute session, with the top 12 in the session moving to the final round.

After a ten minute break, drivers will take to the track for ten minutes to set the top 12 in the starting grid.

Front row for the 2013 Daytona 500: pole winner Danica Patrick, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet, with second fastest qualifier Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Front row for the 2013 Daytona 500: pole winner Danica Patrick, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet, with second fastest qualifier Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Action Sports Photography

"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."

These changes will be in effect for all three of the NASCAR national series. It will not effect the Daytona 500 qualifying method of single car runs followed by two qualifying races on the Thursday of the Daytona 500.

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Luke Bryan to headline Daytona 500 pre-show
Next article A tip of the racing hat to NASCAR for new qualifying procedure

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global