Cup cars will now be backed in to start qualifying

The new qualifying procedures create quite a traffic jam on pit road

NASCAR continues to tweak its qualifying program, this time turning things around 180 degrees — literally.

Starting next week at Auto Club Speedway, cars will be reversed along pit road, so they don't have to back out to pull onto pit road at the start of qualifying. NASCAR officials confirmed the change Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, saying it came at the request of the drivers.

By lining the cars up with their backs to the wall and not their noses, it should reduce the possibility of pit road collisions and contact, as well as make it easier for drivers to pull out at the beginning of each qualifying session. An official bulletin will be issued to the teams next week. FoxSports