Provisional Starts

by M.L. Morgan

Since 1993 NASCAR has been tweaking their rules for provisional starting positions. The deal has gotten out of hand. It’s long past time to correct this travesty. NASCAR’s original motives were fairly good - they wanted to give the full-time, weekly competitors a chance to qualify for each race . Admirable idea.

Very few people even understand how the current system works. My buddy Jayski has done a fine job of putting the explanation into English. I understand all the rules but I have no intention of trying to explain them. Let’s just take a quick look at the rules as they now stand. As with all their other rules NASCAR has written the provisionals’ rule in pencil.

Basically the way things work now is the 25 fastest qualifiers on first day qualifying are guaranteed a starting position - revised from the 20 fastest but that’s o.k. with me. Then, the following day, most often, there is a second round of qualifying for positions 26 through 36. This is when these current rules really become hysterical. Only 36 of the mandated 43 starting positions are earned by qualifying times. The other 7 starting positions are awarded by points standings and a couple other obscure requisites. Now the situation starts to reek.

It is very rare when fewer than 43 cars attempt to qualify for a particular Cup race. This is the land of free enterprise - let ‘em go for it. If one of the home-town heroes can qualify for a Cup race it suits me just fine. We have a new fan base which is spurred, not in a small part, by the emergence of these new drivers. I welcome the new fans and I applaud the new drivers. Go for the gusto - this is a great place to be !

I suspect that once again King William II does not share my opinion. There is an anachronism when NASCAR goes out of its way to promote a race in Japan, yet endorses their 50 year old policy of looking after the good old boys. NASCAR can’t have it both ways.

The most absurd part of the provisional’s rule is the ‘past-champion’ automatic starting spot. The one I always refer to as the Darrell Waltrip provisional. I think this is preposterous. This mandatory 43rd starting position is frequently responsible for the 1st caution flag. I’ve had my fill of that crap.

I think it’s time for NASCAR to take another look. First of all it doesn’t take 2 days to qualify 43 cars for a race. 90 minutes is plenty. Humpy and King William II can figure out something else to charge the fans for. They are very creative. Until 2 years ago the reigning Point’s Champion had his choice of pit stalls. NASCAR changed that rule. Now I think it’s time NASCAR improved the provisional starting rules, beginning with the past champion’s deal. It’s outrageous.

Have comments or questions? E-mail: M.L. Morgan

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