A slightly adjusted format will launch for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024
The field will continue to be split into two qualifying groups. The fastest five drivers will still advance into the second round of qualifying.
However, they way positions 11-40 are set will be different beginning in 2024.
In the past, drivers who set positions 11th-40th were aligned based on their fastest lap time. That was regardless of which qualifying group they were in.
However, everyone knows that one group is always faster than the other. Usually, that’s group B, with added rubber on the racetrack.
So, NASCAR has stepped in with a solution to that issue.
Drivers from Group A who fail to advance into the final round will now set the positions for the outside row. Meaning 12th, 14th, 16th and so on.
The Group B cars will set the inside row. The cars that fail to advance into round two will set positions 11th, 13th, 15th and so on.
The Daytona 500 is excluded from this new format as the famed event has it’s own unique way of setting the field.
What is used to set group alignment?
– 15% fastest lap time from previous event.
– 25% of finishing position from last event.
– 25% of car owner’s finish from last event.
– 35% of the owner points position after the last event.
