This week the new NASCAR Cup Series qualifying format was used for the first time. Fans were confused and upset. It feels like NASCAR is always trying to reinvent the wheel.
NASCAR qualifying was already more complicated than it needed to be. However, it was relatively straightforward. Two groups, fastest five from each then go on to the final round. Beforehand, those ten drivers would race for the pole, fastest time wins, everyone else in order by time.
Now, NASCAR qualifying is a complex mess that takes multiple explanations and a new graphic to even understand it.
Five fastest from each group go to the final round. Then it gets weird. The fastest overall driver will win the pole, that doesn’t change. However, if the pole winner is from Group A, then the outside pole will be the fastest car from Group B, and vice versa.
As for the other drivers, spots 2 through 10 will be determined as such: Group B drivers make up the inside row, Group A makes up the outside. Take a few minutes to read it carefully if you need to, it’s not easy to mentally picture.
That’s is why Christopher Bell was faster than Josh Berry in qualifying at Nashville but will start a spot behind Berry in the race.
This was a strong reaction to the new procedure, but perhaps a valid one.
NASCAR already does things differently form other motorsports. Why make it even more complicated for drivers, teams, and fans new and old?
When you see the qualifying times laid out and they aren’t in order of fastest to slowest, it breaks the brain a bit.
Denny Hamlin wins pole award in wonky NASCAR qualifying session
The one driver who doesn’t have to worry about the weird new format, Denny Hamlin. Hamlin went out there and put up the fastest time of the afternoon just to make sure he would be the one out front. He won’t line up behind a slower car, that’s for sure.
The last few weeks have been hard on Hamlin and this team. They have had an average finish of P29 in the last three races. That is after Hamlin posted five straight top-5s including a win at Dover.
I do believe we will hear from Denny about this qualifying format. When he gets on that podcast mic, it’s hard to keep him from sharing an opinion. With all of the hubbub about this, he will have to talk about it at least for a little bit.
NASCAR has changed the qualifying procedure only for the Cup Series. Surely there are better ways to make qualifying a special event without ruining the entire process and cheapening the results.
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