On the Right Track
A NASCAR BLOG BY Jeff Gluck
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Even drivers confused at Daytona
Feb
15
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – John Andretti acknowledged after yesterday’s Gatorade Duel that he wasn’t sure whether or not he needed to pass Michael Waltrip – who was ahead of him at the time – to get into the Daytona 500.
Waltrip had secured an outside starting position on the front row during pole day, but there were many people – including drivers – who were confused by the convoluted mess of qualifying rules. Since Waltrip was outside of the top 35, would he take one of the two transfer spots from his Duel and therefore allow Boris Said to get into the 500 on his fallback qualifying time? Or did he not count against the total, meaning Andretti had the spot?
Why is this so complicated? Clearly, the Daytona system is in dire need of change.
Here’s a novel concept: Instead of being able to fall back on qualifying times, all of the go-or-go-home drivers have to race their way
into the field.
It’s that simple – 35 locked-in cars, eight total transfer spots (four for each Duel, one of which would go to a past champion if needed). Of course, if a driver like Waltrip were to qualify for the front row, he would get one of the transfer spots.
Would you rather have this (current rules): “Driver X didn’t race his way into the 500 during the first Duel, but if Driver Y finishes
first or second in the second Duel, then he would take a transfer spot and allow Driver X to get into the 500 based on being the next-fastest go-or-go-home driver that isn’t locked into the field.”
Or this (a better idea): “Driver X didn’t race his way into the 500. He’s going home. Sorry, try again next year.”
When the athletes who are actively participating in the sport don’t even know the rules, something needs to be changed.
Waltrip had secured an outside starting position on the front row during pole day, but there were many people – including drivers – who were confused by the convoluted mess of qualifying rules. Since Waltrip was outside of the top 35, would he take one of the two transfer spots from his Duel and therefore allow Boris Said to get into the 500 on his fallback qualifying time? Or did he not count against the total, meaning Andretti had the spot?
Why is this so complicated? Clearly, the Daytona system is in dire need of change.
Here’s a novel concept: Instead of being able to fall back on qualifying times, all of the go-or-go-home drivers have to race their way
into the field.
It’s that simple – 35 locked-in cars, eight total transfer spots (four for each Duel, one of which would go to a past champion if needed). Of course, if a driver like Waltrip were to qualify for the front row, he would get one of the transfer spots.
Would you rather have this (current rules): “Driver X didn’t race his way into the 500 during the first Duel, but if Driver Y finishes
first or second in the second Duel, then he would take a transfer spot and allow Driver X to get into the 500 based on being the next-fastest go-or-go-home driver that isn’t locked into the field.”
Or this (a better idea): “Driver X didn’t race his way into the 500. He’s going home. Sorry, try again next year.”
When the athletes who are actively participating in the sport don’t even know the rules, something needs to be changed.
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Comments
2 responses to "Even drivers confused at Daytona"
Sally Baker said:
Feb 15, 2008 at 10:49 AMWith the top 35 rule locking in so many cars, the dual races have become almost irrelevant. Whay not just take the top 35 on time, then have a race for all the GOGH drivers...then you could take the top finishers from that race without all this guesswork. It's not much fun to watch when it's virtually impossible to figure out who's in and who's out.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportStephen Carknard said:
Feb 16, 2008 at 2:43 PMI'm 65, went to Daytona 500 in 65 and 85. Qualifying was run what yu brung...I think.. I don't think anyone should have a guarantee spot except a past Champion. That makes all these hotshots run their best setup/engine to make sure they make the race. Fair for everybody including the independent team who pulled in for qualifying and took his/her chance like everybody else. That's racing!!!!!!
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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.
» Confirm Abuse Report