[Pepsi One]

Top-35 rule could be changed: NASCAR is considering changing the number of teams locked into each Nextel Cup race by virtue of owner points, an official source within the sanctioning body confirmed to SPEEDTV.com Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Currently, the top 35 teams in NASCAR Nextel Cup owner points are guaranteed starting spots at each race, regardless of where they actually qualify in the field. Teams outside the top 35 must attempt to qualify for the remaining eight spots in each Cup event. When NASCAR first adopted the system of locking in the top 35 in owner points, it was when car counts were low at Cup races. The rationale of guaranteeing starting spots was to protect small, independent teams who showed up every week, but usually were not among the fastest in the field. With the advent of a host of new teams in 2007, including five from Toyota’s new Nextel Cup effort, fields have swelled this year, resulting in many fully sponsored teams going home on a weekly basis. That may be about to change, the NASCAR official confirmed in an exclusive interview with SPEEDTV.com. “We’ve had ongoing discussions about changing the number of teams we lock in,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The end result could be that the number of guaranteed starters would be reduced from 35 to perhaps 30 or 25. The NASCAR official stressed that no decision had been made yet, but the matter will continue to be a front-burner topic for the sanctioning body.(SPEEDtv.com)(7-7-2007)
Well you guys wanted it so maybe Nascar listened!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

Top-35 rule could be changed: NASCAR is considering changing the number of teams locked into each Nextel Cup race by virtue of owner points, an official source within the sanctioning body confirmed to SPEEDTV.com Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Currently, the top 35 teams in NASCAR Nextel Cup owner points are guaranteed starting spots at each race, regardless of where they actually qualify in the field. Teams outside the top 35 must attempt to qualify for the remaining eight spots in each Cup event. When NASCAR first adopted the system of locking in the top 35 in owner points, it was when car counts were low at Cup races. The rationale of guaranteeing starting spots was to protect small, independent teams who showed up every week, but usually were not among the fastest in the field. With the advent of a host of new teams in 2007, including five from Toyota’s new Nextel Cup effort, fields have swelled this year, resulting in many fully sponsored teams going home on a weekly basis. That may be about to change, the NASCAR official confirmed in an exclusive interview with SPEEDTV.com. “We’ve had ongoing discussions about changing the number of teams we lock in,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The end result could be that the number of guaranteed starters would be reduced from 35 to perhaps 30 or 25. The NASCAR official stressed that no decision had been made yet, but the matter will continue to be a front-burner topic for the sanctioning body.(SPEEDtv.com)(7-7-2007)
Well you guys wanted it so maybe Nascar listened!

personally, I'd like a number equal or less than the number in the chase... might as well tie all the screwups together in one big ball and put a pretty ribbon on it. no way will NASCAR come out of the Pepsi 400 qualifying fiasco smelling anywhere near presentable.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

personally, I'd like a number equal or less than the number in the chase... might as well tie all the screwups together in one big ball and put a pretty ribbon on it. no way will NASCAR come out of the Pepsi 400 qualifying fiasco smelling anywhere near presentable.

Yeah, this was definitely a mess, but if it causes this rule to change, I guess in the big picture it was worth it - sort of like a blessing in disguise.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Yeah, this was definitely a mess, but if it causes this rule to change, I guess in the big picture it was worth it - sort of like a blessing in disguise.

So, the "Chosen 35" changes to the "Chosen 20, 25 or 30 (My personal guess as to what the new Chosen number will be)." What changes? Only the number of cars which are guaranteed a starting spot, whether they are qualified or not. Will anyone even notice? How many will even care? It doesn't change the unfair game NASCAR is playing; it only changes the size of the playing field.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

So, the "Chosen 35" changes to the "Chosen 20, 25 or 30 (My personal guess as to what the new Chosen number will be)." What changes? Only the number of cars which are guaranteed a starting spot, whether they are qualified or not. Will anyone even notice? How many will even care? It doesn't change the unfair game NASCAR is playing; it only changes the size of the playing field.

.. or .. the non-playing field.

[jks812]

I would like to see 0 guaranteed spots. But if they have to guarantee some of the babies a starting spot, they should drop it to 10.

[wingkey1]

Interesting (maybe better word is confusing) that last nights qualifying has resulted in so much "35" focus.

Keep thinking to self a scenario with NO "chosen". In other words top 43 qualifiers race. Then in this little dream world a scene plays out, maybe next years Daytona 500, maybe the Pepsi 400, maybe who cares which event, where 55+ entries arrive, rains destroy every reasonable attempt to conduct qualifications - and some dolt in the crowd screams - "well then just race the top 43 in points". Just as the assembled masses are about to rip out me entrails we awake - cold sweat and all. Oh my Lord - that isn't fair to the unfortunate 12 - now whattamy gonna do. Rule change!!

[Pepsi One]

Nascar doesn't guarantee spots for the drivers they do it for the fans, and this is a step in the right direction so why is there so much complaining!

[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by Pepsi One

Nascar doesn't guarantee spots for the drivers they do it for the fans, and this is a step in the right direction so why is there so much complaining!

Yah lost me. Not saying you don't have some decent reasoning in there, just unable to grab it. Likely my deficiency. Explain?

[jks812]

Well as a fan I'd like to see the fastest 43 race. If Jr or Gordon, or who ever, can't qualify, then load them up and go home. Wouldn't matter to me. But I don't think they do it for the fans or the drivers. They do it for the owners and sponsors.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by jks812

Well as a fan I'd like to see the fastest 43 race. If Jr or Gordon, or who ever, can't qualify, then load them up and go home. Wouldn't matter to me. But I don't think they do it for the fans or the drivers. They do it for the owners and sponsors.

How can one disagree with undeniable truth?

IRT a previous statement that "they do it for the fans..." this is one fan that they sure aren't doing it for. My position is that if you can't qualify fast enough to start the race, or, in the case of a qualification rain out, if you aren't in the top 43 in driver points (this owner's point concept went out about the same time tobacco sponsorships left), then you go home! Period; end of report!

I don't care if your name is Earnhardt, Gordon, Kahne, or whatever; if 43 other drivers successfully qualified faster than you then... bu-bye. See you next race.

[LSC9901]

Wahooooo !!!! Way overdue for this change. I hope they have the who-ha's to do it right.

I have no concept of why the top 35 was done for the fans ???? There isn't any driving time, points or money in it for me. It is all about the teams and the corporate sponsors. If is for the fans I'd like to meet those two fans. Cannot be anymore than that.

Once again I'll add my vote of ZERO chosen spots. Think about this. With the past champions provisional Richard Petty has a free entry into a race. Now who really thinks that is fair and/or safe ??? Make it right and allow the 43 fastest to race. PERIOD

[Pepsi One]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Yah lost me. Not saying you don't have some decent reasoning in there, just unable to grab it. Likely my deficiency. Explain?

Because Nascar needs those top sponsors, If Junior or Gordon dont make the show, the casual fan who watches just for those two isn't going to watch, losing ratings, and losing commercial sponsorship!

[Pepsi One]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Wahooooo !!!! Way overdue for this change. I hope they have the who-ha's to do it right.

I have no concept of why the top 35 was done for the fans ???? There isn't any driving time, points or money in it for me. It is all about the teams and the corporate sponsors. If is for the fans I'd like to meet those two fans. Cannot be anymore than that.

Once again I'll add my vote of ZERO chosen spots. Think about this. With the past champions provisional Richard Petty has a free entry into a race. Now who really thinks that is fair and/or safe ??? Make it right and allow the 43 fastest to race. PERIOD

There's a prevision that wont allow Petty to get in on provision, somthing like you must have raced the previous year, i forget what the exact rule is but i get what your saying!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Wahooooo !!!! Way overdue for this change. I hope they have the who-ha's to do it right.

I have no concept of why the top 35 was done for the fans ???? There isn't any driving time, points or money in it for me. It is all about the teams and the corporate sponsors. If is for the fans I'd like to meet those two fans. Cannot be anymore than that.

Once again I'll add my vote of ZERO chosen spots. Think about this. With the past champions provisional Richard Petty has a free entry into a race. Now who really thinks that is fair and/or safe ??? Make it right and allow the 43 fastest to race. PERIOD

agreed!

the only "provisionals" I would agree to would be the defending winner of the race and the defending season champ.

and why 43? why not 40? make it an even 20 rows.