NASCAR Trackside (HD) • 11:00am
  • Media
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Check out the latest SPEED podcasts on iTunes
  • Mobile
This could be your avatar!
Username
Password
Register
tom_jensen's avatar
Author:
Tom Jensen
Login For More
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
SPEEDtv.com Store
Racer Magazine - Subscribe Now
Get all of the inside information from America's Premiere Motorsports Magazine
Our Price: $29.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
365 Cars You Must Drive
The ultimate gift and ride guide for the automotive enthusiast.
Our Price: $19.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
SPEED Khaki Sandwich Bill Cap
Washed chino twill, constructed mid crown w/ pre-curved sandwich visor.
Our Price: $20.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
CUP: NASCAR May Change Top-35 Rules
Written by: Tom Jensen   
07/06/2007 - 07:00 PM
Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
Boris Said was victimized by the current rules during qualifying. (LAT photo) MORE NASCAR PHOTOS ยป More Photos


NASCAR is considering changing the number of teams locked into each Nextel Cup race by virtue of owner points, an official source within the sanctioning body confirmed to SPEEDTV.com Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.

Currently, the top 35 teams in NASCAR Nextel Cup owner points are guaranteed starting spots at each race, regardless of where they actually qualify in the field. Teams outside the top 35 must attempt to qualify for the remaining eight spots in each Cup event.

At this weekend's Pepsi 400, for example, 53 cars entered the race. With 35 guaranteed starting spots, 18 cars were left to contest the final eight open spots. On Friday, a total of 39 cars set qualifying times before rain cancelled qualifying. All of the seven fastest qualifiers were cars outside the top 35 in owner points, so-called "go or go home" cars.

But because rain cancelled qualifying, three of those seven fastest cars, including pole-sitter Boris Said, were eliminated from the race on the basis of points, a situation many competitors and fans considered to be grossly unfair. "It's really upsetting for those guys who were outside of the top 35, especially guys like Boris who put up such a great effort," said Jeff Gordon, who was 30th fastest in time trials but credited with the pole on the basis of owner points after qualifying was rained out Friday night.

"That's got to be tough. Believe me, myself, I would rather we qualify and I end up 30th or 35th and let those guys do what they earned than back
into a second place start like we did," added Denny Hamlin, who was credited with second place in qualifying and will start the Pepsi 400 alongside Gordon on Row 1. "It's really not worth it to me because we know what all those other teams are going through just trying to make these races. Yeah, you definitely sympathize for them."

When NASCAR first adopted the system of locking in the top 35 in owner points, it was when car counts were low at Cup races. The rationale of guaranteeing starting spots was to protect small, independent teams who showed up every week, but usually were not among the fastest in the field.

But with the advent of a host of new teams in 2007, including five from Toyota's new Nextel Cup effort, fields have swelled this year, resulting in many fully sponsored teams going home on a weekly basis.

That may be about to change, the NASCAR official confirmed in an exclusive interview with SPEEDTV.com. "We've had ongoing discussions about changing the number of teams we lock in," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The end result could be that the number of guaranteed starters would be reduced from 35 to perhaps 30 or 25. The NASCAR official stressed that no decision had been made yet, but the matter will continue to be a front-burner topic for the sanctioning body.

"The problem is getting everybody to agree on what the number should be," the NASCAR official said. "But we have been talking about already and we'll be talking about it again."