2005 NASCAR schedule adjustments

The NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule is set for 2005, but according to some insiders, there's a push in the garage to qualify on Saturdays next season. A Friday practice session, followed by Saturday practice and then qualifying is apparently being talked about. The cars would then be impounded after qualifying, and would start on Sunday with the same tires and setup used in qualifying on Saturday. The proposal could possibly eliminate some expenses if teams didn't have to travel on Thursdays. It would also put a premium on race setups and do away with special qualifying packages. Another proposed change is later starting times for Sunday races, especially later in the season. Networks may want races to end as prime time Sunday programming begins, and that would call for 3-4 p.m. starts. National Speed Sport News