Pocky's Paddock
A NASCAR BLOG BY Bob Pockrass
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Daytona 500 qualifying needs change
Feb
15
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Every year it’s the same thing at Daytona, so every year it seems like a broken record when some people say this: Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is a confusing mess.
One day, NASCAR might fix it so it isn’t so complicated. But right now it is. And it doesn’t have to be.
Instead of having guys race their way in and then having others “fall back” on speed, why not lock in more drivers on qualifying day and not count any of them among those who have to race their way in?
It is an absolute shame – actually it’s a travesty – that John Andretti wasn’t sure if he had to pass Michael Waltrip for a spot in the Daytona 500 on the final lap of his qualifier. He didn’t have to pass him but he did anyway. Could you imagine how unfair it would be if Andretti had caused a wreck while trying to pass Waltrip for what he thought would be a spot in the 500 when he already had one?
Hopefully NASCAR will change this. Hopefully this will be the first change for 2009.
One day, NASCAR might fix it so it isn’t so complicated. But right now it is. And it doesn’t have to be.
Instead of having guys race their way in and then having others “fall back” on speed, why not lock in more drivers on qualifying day and not count any of them among those who have to race their way in?
It is an absolute shame – actually it’s a travesty – that John Andretti wasn’t sure if he had to pass Michael Waltrip for a spot in the Daytona 500 on the final lap of his qualifier. He didn’t have to pass him but he did anyway. Could you imagine how unfair it would be if Andretti had caused a wreck while trying to pass Waltrip for what he thought would be a spot in the 500 when he already had one?
Hopefully NASCAR will change this. Hopefully this will be the first change for 2009.
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Comments
2 responses to "Daytona 500 qualifying needs change"
Sally Baker said:
Feb 15, 2008 at 10:52 AMWouldn't it be a great way to go 'back to the basics' by making it easier to figure out who makes the race without 5 computers and an abacus? How about taking the top 35 on time, then have the GOGH drivers have their own race to get in. If one of them qualifies on the front row, then don't have to race.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdon Guinn said:
Feb 15, 2008 at 11:49 AMJohn Andretti isn't the sharpest tool in the shed,if I can understand all this qualifying mess, as a driver it's his job to know. Furthermore NASCAR needs to change the way qualifying is done at all the races.
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
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