“Mark Martin put his Valvoline Ford on the pole at Suzuka Circuitland, all the while it was raining! The cars have special windshield wipers on them, rain tires, and a running light on the rear bumper. The morning two hour practice was run entirely in the rain, a first for NASCAR. The qualifying format was also modified due to the weather. Qualifying order was determined in reverse order of the morning practice, slowes to fastest. Five cars were sent out at a time for three laps, and the fastest of the three laps determined the starting grid.”(Speedworld)(11-22-97)
