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For the fourth time in the seven championship chase races, rain is threatening to cancel qualifying. This time, the racing is at Atlanta Motor Speedway outside Atlanta, Georgia...

Rain on the Parade: How Nascar Should Handle a Cancelled Qualifying Session

by Mary Jo Buchanan (Senior Writer)

14

539 reads

Opinion

October 23, 2008


For the fourth time in the seven championship chase races, rain is threatening to cancel qualifying. This time, the racing is at Atlanta Motor Speedway outside Atlanta, Georgia.

The weather forecast looks pretty dire (see above weather map where the green signifies rain, with the darker green being heavier rain). There is more than an 80 percent chance of rain through Friday in the Atlanta area.

With that kind of forecast, Cup qualifying, scheduled for 6:45 PM on Friday, will likely be a washout. Chances are that practices for both the Craftsman Truck series and the Cup cars, scheduled also for Friday afternoon, will be rained out as well.

If the forecast holds, the starting grid will see the chasers in the top twelve spots. This would also mean that Jimmie Johnson would be on the pole again, not because of his superb qualifying effort, but simply because the rain intervened once more to set the field on points.

When one of the chase qualifying sessions was rained out, it stirred little debate.  But when qualifying at Martinsville was rained out, this time for the third time in a row, fans began to grumble.

The debates raged as fans weighed in. From NASCAR radio shows to race-related blogs, fans expressed their many thoughts and suggestions on how qualifying could be handled differently in case of a rain out.

Some of the suggested alternatives to setting the field on points in case of inclement weather are as follows.

If the weather looks improved for the following day, just find a time on the track to squeeze qualifying in. 

While this might seem pretty simple, just look at the schedule for some of the tracks and see if there's room to qualify one day later. If that can't happen, then cancel qualifying.

Take this weekend for example: the garage opens on Saturday at 9:00 AM and there is action throughout the day amongst the Cup drivers (two practices), the Truck series drivers (qualifying and the race), and the legends series. While the weather looks much better for the next day, there's no down time to fit in an entire Cup qualifying session.

If the weather looks improved for the following day, allow only the "go or go home cars" to at least try to qualify their way into the show on time.  

See above regarding squeezing this one in. Plus, for some race teams it not only prolongs the agony, but also the cost as they struggle to find accommodations to keep their teams for yet another day at the track.

Use the old "ping pong" ball method. 

Just as the teams draw lots for the order in which they will qualify, let them do the same for the actual starting order. While that may seem more equitable, many fans feel that the points leaders' have indeed earned the right to start at the front in case of rain; and element as critical as qualifying should not be left to the luck of the draw.

Invert the field. 

Just to make things really interesting, put those who should be first last, and those who are last first. This would create utter havoc as the slower cars could potentially jumble up the field as the "leaders" struggle to work their way forward. But, it could also be highly entertaining.

Qualify virtually. 

There are so many racing video games out now. Perhaps NASCAR could just set up various Play Station or Nintendo Wii consoles and let each driver qualify online. Heck, many racers say they practice the tracks that way. So, why not qualify that way too in case of rain?

There are just some of the ideas that have been bandied about in case of a qualifying rain out. Maybe the drivers should just arm wrestle—that could be highly amusing. I'm picturing Kyle Busch wrestling Carl Edwards for the pole position.

Or maybe they could do rock-paper-scissors or some other random selection game. For those seasoned drivers, perhaps their children could help them qualify in on this method. I'm thinking Ella Sofia Gordon is just about ready to be put in charge of this one.

Whatever the method may be, it seems that a change needs to be made; Nascar should handle qualifying differently. 

So, what's your novel idea for setting the field in the midst of the storm? 

Don't rush your thoughts though; you will most likely have all day tomorrow, with the rain delay in Atlanta, to think it all through.

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14 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Andy Stotts 8 months ago

    I like having the crews do relay races in the garage. Most fit team goes first.

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  2. S M Napier 8 months ago

    Invert the field, let the Chasers start in the back and it would be exciting to see them work their way through the field. Rather than see them start up front again.

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  3. racethis 50 8 months ago

    HAHAHA! I LOVED this article. I agree with Andy and was going to suggest a sack race with the pit crews. But, on a serious note, "Duck, Duck, Goose" is the only reasonable solution here.

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  4. Dave Gainer 8 months ago

    Your suggestions will never happen ....rain is rain, and in nascar you dont run in it. but i tell you what they could do. let the fans vote on what the 10 chase tracks should be every year. the vote should be held every January, a good shuffle every year would be great.. The most important benefit to qualifying is the #1 pit-stall..Today The 99 said he didn't care if the qualified or not because he knows its all about race trim and the 1st pit-stall. The best handling cars will come to the front at Atlanta. Look for the 99, the 48, the 16, the 31, the 17, the 20, and 18 to be in contention for the win Sunday. If the pole sitter wins Sunday it will most likely be because he had the best handling car, and less likely the 1st pit-stall, just like last week ......It should be a good race regardless....

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      Yep, valid points. Like the fan voting idea - let the fan's rule!! I think you're right - the Roushketeers will be strong. But I've got to go with my driver Jeff Gordon to end his winning streak!

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  5. Jim Bob Kern 8 months ago

    Nascar could revert back to the practise sessions speed charts ( if any occured ). But that always leads too more confusion. Go or go homers are in qualifing trim to even qualify and the top 35 are already in race trim for the race trying to improve handling for the race itself.

    I doubt if this will ever change but it is nice to think about the "what ifs"..

    As far as the race, I like the momentum Dale Jr. is carring over from Martinsville, this weekend he finishes one spot higher.. followed by the 99, 48, 16 & 31 in tow...

    Jr wins this weekend in Atlanta!

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      Have heard the idea about the practice speeds serving as qualifying speeds - but it can be confusing and let's face it, some folks don't practice well as they are trying things out. I think we all end up with leaving it like it is....

      I think you're right that the Roush group will be strong. And it would be great to see your driver in the winner's circle. But you gotta give my driver at least a chance to get a win this season, please? How 'bout Jeff Gordon wins and Dale Jr. comes in second???!!!! Will you buy that one?

      Thanks for your comment and pick!

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  6. Jim Bob Kern 8 months ago

    Only if it's one of those side-by-side battles to the checkered flag and we go to the photo finish to determine the winner.. like The Dale & Bobby battle in 2000 or the Harvick & Gordon battle in 2001.
    I could live with that Mary Jo...

    Keep up the good writing..

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  7. Julianna Harrell 8 months ago

    Haha.

    It's official, I hate the rain, especially on race days. Once again, my favorite driver (Logano) misses out on yet another potentially great learning experience due to Mother Nature.

    But anyway, I'd love for NASCAR to either invert the entire field or do a random drawing. It would make the race a lot more exciting than watching JJ start from the pole for the gazillionth time.

    Or how about the "pick-a-number" method? Drivers can pick a number from one to fourty-three and whomever is the closest to the official number (someone higher up picks a number and writes it down) gets the first spot, the next closest person gets the second spot and so on and so forth? Hm. I'd like to see that happen as well. Hahaha.

    I loved this though. Great job!

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    • Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago

      Juliana, sorry that Logano was impacted....
      Pick a number works too!!
      Thanks for the comment - hope you can enjoy the race even without your sliced bread.

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