Group Qualifying in NASCAR– What is it, why do it and please stop.

In an effort to appease the casual fan watching qualifying on television, NASCAR has looked across the pond for inspiration to shorten the length of their time trials to set the starting line up for each race.   Formula 1 (F1) racing has been using the group qualifying format.  What is group qualifying?  Multiple cars run on the track at the same time run as fast as they can to se their best lap time.  This is done in place of single car runs for two laps, taking the best lap time.  Sounds great.  If it works for F1 it will work for NASCAR, right?

F1 race fields consist of eleven 2-car teams, 22 cars per race.  F1 races on road courses that average about 3 miles in length.  The cars usually end up spread out around the track.  The format for group qualifying is simple and used at every track.  It consists of three segments spread out over the course of an hour.  Cars can run as many laps as they wish in each segment. 

            Q1 – All 22 cars can run laps during the first 18 minute segment. The 6 slowest cars

                        are dropped and fill positions 17-22 on the grid.
                                    7 minute break

            Q2 – Times are reset and the 16 remaining cars run during this 15 minute segment.

                        The 6 slowest cars are dropped and fill positions 11-16 on the grid.

                                    8 minute break

            Q3 – Times are reset for a 12 minute shoot out for the final 10 cars.  Positions 1-10

                       are filled on the grid.

            If a driver impedes another at any point, the time may be cancelled or a grid penalty

            given.

NASCAR runs a field of 43 cars on ovals that range from a half mile to 2.6 miles in length and two road courses.  On the ovals the cars are not able to spread out.  NASCAR’s version of group qualifying is NOT as simple as that in F1.  NASCAR has 3 different sets of rules: one for short track and intermediate tracks (ovals 0.5 to 1.5 miles in length), one for super speedways (ovals 2 miles or more in length) and one for the road courses.  Yes, all three are based on the F1 model with the fastest cars moving on after each segment and breaks in between.  Chaos has been the norm on the ovals.  It does work for the road courses.

Group qualifying for NASCAR has been confusing for both the drivers and the fans.  Yes, it has shortened the length of qualifying for the casual television audience.  We have seen a lot of good cars needlessly torn up and driver safety put at risk on the ovals. 

NASCAR has chased the almighty dollar in the pursuit television ratings and again, panders to the casual fans.  How I long for the days of the single car, balls to the wall, 2 lap dash for the pole. My father and I made many a journey up to Michigan International Speedway on Fridays (both races) just to spend the day watching practice and qualifying.  The crowd went wild every time the fastest lap was set.  No time was lost due to accidents or blown engines.  Yes, it took a little longer, but the journey was enjoyable.  Let's go back and end the madness.