NASCAR overhauls qualifying

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NASCAR is making a significant change in its race qualifying format starting this season in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series.

The sport's governing body announced Wednesday that instead of the traditional two-lap run around the track to determine the pole-sitter and the starting grid, it will opt for elimination-style qualifying similar to what Formula One and the IndyCar series uses.

The new procedure, which will begin after the Daytona 500 in February, will put drivers through three sessions on 1 1/4-mile tracks in pursuit of the pole.

After the initial 25-minute run, the top 24 cars advance to the next round. The rest of the field from 25 to 43 will be set based on their lap times from the first go-around.

The top 24 will then run for 10 minutes to determine the 12 fastest cars, which will move on to a 10-minute final round that determines the pole winner.

On tracks shorter than 1 1/4 miles, qualifying will be two sessions -- 30 minutes for all cars, followed by a 10-minute round for the 12 fastest.

"We believe the timing is right for a new qualifying format across our three national series," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition and racing development. "This style of group qualifying has all the makings of being highly competitive and more engaging to our fans in the stands and those watching on television and online.

"For the drivers and teams, we believe this new qualifying will fuel even greater competition leading into the events. Additionally, it provides our tracks, broadcasters and other key partners with a greater opportunity to develop more entertaining content for our race weekends."

Qualifying will not change for the Daytona 500, which will "preserve its historic and unique format," NASCAR said.

[bigbadbrother]

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR overhauled its qualifying process Wednesday, switching to a knockout format similar to Formula One and IndyCar.

Drivers and track owners applauded the change, saying it will bring excitement to what had been a somewhat monotonous and often meaningless event.

''I'm all for anything that makes it fun not only for the fans but the drivers and teams, too,'' Michael Waltrip Racing driver Clint Bowyer said. ''This is really going shake things up on Fridays - in a good way.''

The new format will not be used for the Daytona 500, non-points events in the Sprint Cup Series and the Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway in Ohio.

NASCAR will use three rounds of qualifying at tracks 1 1/4 miles in length or larger. The entire field will have 25 minutes to post their fastest single lap and the top 24 advance to the second round.

The second segment will last 10 minutes, and the fastest 12 will advance to a final, five-minute round. At tracks smaller than 1 1/4 miles, qualifying will be in two segments. The first will be 30 minutes, with the top 12 advancing to a 10-minute final session.

''New qualifying rules for (at)NASCAR 2014 season should really mix it up,'' 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski posted on his Twitter page. ''I expect a lot more actions for fans and even more games from teams.''

Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president for competition and racing development, said the sanctioning body modified qualifying rules to make the event ''more engaging to the fans in the stands and those watching on TV and online.''

It's the first of several changes expected this season.

NASCAR has been working feverishly behind the scenes to improve its on-track product, particularly at 1 1/2-mile tracks, and at least some changes are expected to the points system.

NASCAR is reportedly considering a 16-driver championship field that would be whittled down to create a winner-take-all season finale. Chairman Brian France has repeatedly said he wants to place greater emphasis on winning, and he's never ruled out tinkering with the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format in an effort to create the ''Game 7 moments'' he covets.

Revamping qualifying should enhance track experience on non-race days, something track owners coveted for years.

''I think the direction NASCAR has taken on a new qualifying format is exactly what we need and I applaud them for taking this step,'' Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell said. ''These two qualifying sessions will be pressure-packed for the teams and drivers, which will make it very exciting for the fans to watch.''

Added Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway: ''I applaud NASCAR's willingness to try something new to make qualifying more compelling for our fans. ... (This) is a positive step in the direction we need to go to create compelling on-track action all weekend. It will be interesting to watch what strategies teams utilize to get the best starting spot they can.''

Teams will be allowed to run as many laps as they want during each session, but NASCAR will limit them to one set of tires - likely leading crew chiefs to approach the process with differing plans of attack.

And since qualifying near the front of the field means more at certain tracks, the approach probably will change on a weekly basis.

''It's hard to imagine what strategies these guys will work on and have play out over the course of the qualifying session,'' Pemberton said. ''I think as we move through the season, it will take on a life of its own at different places.''