NASCAR told its competitors Thursday it is considering eliminating single-car qualifying next season in an overhaul to how the field is set. Drivers from all three national series met with top NASCAR officials for almost two hours at the R&D Center in Concord to discuss several things under consideration for 2014. Among the ideas being considered is a group qualifying format similar to what was used on road courses this year. NASCAR is considering using that qualifying procedure everywhere except Daytona at Talladega. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp says the field would likely be set at Daytona and Talladega with an ‘open qualifying session” that would allow for a 60-minute drafting session. NASCAR will also hold a Dec. 9 test at Charlotte to continue work on its intermediate track package.( Associated Press )(10-24-2013) UPDATE: NASCAR is considering changing its qualifying procedure in 2014 to have multiple cars on the track at the same time, sanctioning body spokesman Kerry Tharp said Thursday. Already used on road courses, the proposed qualifying format would have cars in groups (it has been five or six) with each car released from pit road in intervals of a few seconds. The group would then have a certain amount of time to complete qualifying laps, with the best lap speed used to determine the starting order for the race. On restrictor-plate tracks (Daytona and Talladega), NASCAR is considering using a drafting session – likely 45-60 minutes – to determine the starting order. The Daytona 500 field would still be set primarily through qualifying races but whether the new format would be used to determine the Daytona 500 pole and the lineup for the qualifying races is still to be decided. ‘Nothing is set in stone yet’ Tharp said. ‘We havent determined how all that (throughout the season) would be administered. ‘Were still working through that but with the goal of providing a more enhanced qualifying experience for the fans that come there and watch it and the fans that watch it on television and, quite frankly, for the competitors.”( Sporting News )
