NASCAR Makes Modifications to National Series Qualifying
Enhancements Made to Help Make an Exciting Format even Better
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR notified its teams this afternoon that effective immediately the following modifications apply to all elements of its national series qualifying including the breaks:
• One cool down unit connected through either the left side or right side hood flap/cowl flap is allowed to cool the engine
• The hood must continue to remain closed
• Plugging in the generator will not be allowed
• Two crew members will be allowed over the wall to support the car and driver
• No cool down laps will be permitted
NASCAR instituted a new group qualifying format for its three national series in January and has continued to evaluate the process through the first three races of the season. The new format has been well-received by fans, competitors, race tracks and other key stakeholders. NASCAR believes that the modifications announced today should help make the qualifying even better and more compelling.
“The qualifying is new to all of us and as we have said over the past several weeks, we are looking at it from all aspects,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition and racing development. “Following discussions, both internally and with others in the garage area, we moved quickly to make a few revisions that will be effective starting with our two national series events at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. We believe this will only enhance and improve what has demonstrated to be an exciting form of qualifying for our fans, competitors and others involved with the sport. Moving forward we will continue to look at it and address anything else that we may need to as the season unfolds.”
Fans can tune in to the following NASCAR racing action this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway:
Friday, March 14
4:30 p.m. ET, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FOX Sports 1, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Saturday, March 15
10 a.m. ET – NASCAR Nationwide Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, ESPN2
2 p.m. ET – NASCAR Nationwide Series Race, ESPN2, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Sunday, March 16
1 p.m. ET – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race, FOX, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
About NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information, visit www.nascar.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.
Sources: Kerry Tharp/NASCAR PR