NASCAR Modifies National Series Qualifying

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Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John's Chevrolet, prepares to drive during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7, 2014 Photo - Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, prepares to drive during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7, 2014
Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

NASCAR Makes Modifications To National Series Qualifying. 

Enhancements Made To Help Make An Exciting Format Even Better 

NASCAR notified its teams this afternoon that effective immediately the following modifications apply to all elements of its national series qualifying including the breaks:

  • One cool down unit connected through either the left side or right side hood flap/cowl flap is allowed to cool the engine
  • The hood must continue to remain closed
  • Plugging in the generator will not be allowed
  • Two crew members will be allowed over the wall to support the car and driver
  • No cool down laps will be permitted

NASCAR instituted a new group qualifying format for its three national series in January and has continued to evaluate the process through the first three races of the season. The new format has been well-received by fans, competitors, race tracks and other key stakeholders. NASCAR believes that the modifications announced today should help make the qualifying even better and more compelling.

“The qualifying is new to all of us and as we have said over the past several weeks, we are looking at it from all aspects,” said Robin Pemberton, vice president of competition and racing development. “Following discussions, both internally and with others in the garage area, we moved quickly to make a few revisions that will be effective starting with our two national series events at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. We believe this will only enhance and improve what has demonstrated to be an exciting form of qualifying for our fans, competitors and others involved with the sport. Moving forward we will continue to look at it and address anything else that we may need to as the season unfolds.”

Fans can tune in to the following NASCAR racing action this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway:

Friday, March 14

  • 4:30 p.m. ET, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FOX Sports 1, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Saturday, March 15

  • 10 a.m. ET – NASCAR Nationwide Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, ESPN2
  • 2 p.m. ET – NASCAR Nationwide Series Race, ESPN2, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Sunday, March 16

  • 1 p.m. ET – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race, FOX, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio