NASCAR is working on how to set the starting lineup without qualifying

Only one of the next seven NASCAR races will have qualifying; Ryan Blaney wants to see the field inverted each week

On Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, the NASCAR Cup Series will return to action. It’s the first of seven races over a short 11-day span.

It’s marks the first major sport to return to action. The racing series hasn’t been to the track since Phoenix, back on March 8th.

Related: NASCAR schedule set to resume in May; Dates/info announced

The sanction has a full list of plans in place to make sure the event is put on in a safe way. That includes, socially distancing the pit area, no fans allowed, health screenings and even one-way walking paths at the facility.

However, only one of the upcoming events scheduled for May will feature a qualifying session. The Coca-Cola 600 will see qualifying.

But, the other 6 races, there will be no qualifying or practice sessions. How will they set the starting lineup?

Currently, the rules are that is qualifying is rained out, the first 36 positions are set by owner points for charter teams. Then, the four best non-charter teams set the rear of the field, also by owner points.

But, NASCAR is working on how to set the field as they are set to return.

Steve O’Donnell on setting the field for Darlington Raceway and beyond

There’s a few options…

“I think a good assumption will be to start off the first race by points, and same with picking pits,” Steve O’Donnell stated on a NASCAR media teleconference.

“But we realize as you go through events that’s not the best way to do things, so there’s some discussion going on now with the race teams and drivers about, as you get to race two and three, are there some things we can do to mix it up a little bit around pit selection.”

“Or possibly for race two, start that lineup based on how you finished in race one.”

“More to come: We just want to flush out a few more things with the teams and make sure we have the fairest possible lineup set,” O’Donnell concluded.

Phoenix was the last NASCAR event. Blaney finished 37th of 38 drivers. With the field inverted, he would start on the front row at Darlington.

Ryan Blaney stated via twitter, “I think a full field invert from Phoenix would be cool…”

All of the next seven races will take place at either Darlington Raceway or Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s a jam-packed month of May for stock car racing fans.

Links

Ryan Blaney | NASCAR | Darlington Raceway | Charlotte Motor Speedway

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