TheHammer24 wrote:Also, we haven't discussed this, but NASCAR eliminated the Top 35 Rule for next year. Does anyone think Danica will DNQ any race? She's been 38, 41, 28, 40 this year.
I have been waiting for this moment since they announced the top35 rule.
Apparently random draw is coming back to qualifying too.
So... Double Yay.
When they go to Daytona, it will again be the top 14 in each heat race that gets into the Daytona 500. (Robby Gordon finished 7th in one of the heat races a few years ago and missed the 500 with the top 35 rule). Far more drama. Pole day sets spots 1-2; heat winners 3-4 plus next 13 in each heat race to set 5-30, then six on time, 6 provisionals, and one PC provisional. If front row starter wins heat race, then 2-15 make field. (Really, front row starter finishes top-14, the 15th finisher makes the 500)
I think I've mentioned the story before - think it was the 10 car (MB2 at the time maybe?), either with Johnny Benson or Scott Riggs depending on the actual year, where a couple teams in the low to mid 20s in owner points missed a race because the provisionals were all needed by cars higher in points. It used to be if a team was in the top 25 in owners points, they weren't charged for provisionals, but teams outside were, and only accumulated 1 every 8 races after starting the season with a finite amount. Such that a driver/team had to have a provisional left, and hope enough cars in front of them got in on speed so it would be available to them. Of course, there used to be 2nd day qualifying at most tracks, where 1-25 were locked in on day 1, and day 2 would allow teams to go out and improve their position. This led to some situations where the 26th starter put down a lap faster than the pole sitter.
Nothing will improve performance like the prospect of not making the race.