Qualifying Getting Old, Says Wheeler
Sunday, May 27th, 2007 10:54am EDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
According to Lowe’s Motor Speedway President H. A. “Humpy” Wheeler, attendance for LMS Pole Day has been in steady decline since 2001.
His explanation for this is a combination of the Top 35 being locked in, and a lack of entertainment with current qualifying procedures.
All of this according to an interview with Marty Smith.
I will agree that current qualifying is a little dull in terms of entertainment value. However it probably isn’t a good thing that qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 also takes place on Thursday, either. It sure isn’t helping. Also, since the Top 35 was only implemented last season, while it isn’t helping at the moment, my math would tell me that there was a 5 year decline already in place prior to 2006.
Humpy suggests running qualifying in four 15 minute sessions, 25% of the field at a time, fastest speeds overall do the deed. There is a hint of canning the Top 35 rule as well.
I disagree, in part.
The Top 35 needs to go. It’s too much.
I do think that a few teams should be locked in. Let’s face it. We need sponsors in NASCAR. In return, those sponsors need some sort of a guarantee that they are investing their marketing dollars wisely. However, 35 is just too large.
So, overall, here is what I feel would be pretty darn cool.
Increase The Field To 45
Increasing the field by 2 cars really isn’t that big of an addition. It just rounds out the numbers a little better. Plus, there isn’t a risk of a short field and needing a filler any time soon. Adding 2 additional spots would also help ensure that down the road as well.
Lock In The Top 15
Locking in the Top 15 is plenty. Enough to give some sponsors (and teams) some breathing room, but it isn’t overkill. I think Top 20, or Top 25 would still be pushing the limit. Plus, with 45 cars, that’s only 1/3 of the field.
Run Qualifying Heat Races
Pretty similar to what Humpy had in mind, with 4 qualifying sessions, then again, maybe run 2 heats instead like for Daytona. It would add some excitement for sure. Then again, with either heats or sessions, there is always the possibility of an accident. If run in sessions though, an accident would have much less impact than it would if it were heat races.
I can’t say that there is any one good answer, or that NASCAR has any plans to do anything about any of it. Humpy seems to think that NASCAR will be making some sort of change for 2008.
The only question is, will it be for the better or the worse?
Filed Under: Charlotte/Lowe's, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Tracks
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I don’t know what the answer is, but I do think something needs to change with qualifying in the Nextel Cup Series.
I agree that the top 35 is WAY TOO MUCH Overkill. I think about 20 would be great and extending the field to 45.
Something is wrong when someone like Michael Waltrip has a fast qualifying time (think he was 11th or 15th once–something like that) and does not get to race due to owner points.
Granted something needs to be in place for the top performers to garauntee a race day, for the fans, sponsors adn tracks. All equalling $$$$. But, 35 locked in is a little ridiculous.
Mike
http://ryannewmanfan.blogspot.com
Michael said this on May 27th, 2007 at 12:04 pm