NASCAR makes changes to the qualifying format at MIS

Kasey Kahne had the top speed for the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Pole Day for the Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in June at MIS at 201.992 miles per hour

NASCAR informed NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams on Wednesday that it plans to use its superspeedway qualifying format at Michigan International Speedway in August.

"We applaud NASCAR for its willingness and commitment to make the competition stronger throughout the year by its continued improvement for the betterment of the sport," track President Roger Curtis said. "Given the proximity to the start of The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the Pure Michigan 400 will already be a race of high drama and excitement. And I’m sure race fans will be in for a fantastic race weekend full of emotion, speed and even better racing at Michigan International Speedway.

"Qualifying with this format ensures the fastest cars are up front – and that's just what you need at a two-mile racetrack like Michigan International Speedway."

The new format is as follows:
• Two rounds of qualifying, with the top-12 posted lap speeds advancing to the second round
• Race vehicles taking one, timed lap in each round of qualifying
• Each race vehicle will be released in a predetermined timed interval as determined by NASCAR, with the sanctioning body reserving the right to have more than one vehicle engaging in qualifying runs at the same time
• Qualifying order for the first round will be determined by a random draw; final round qualifying order is determined by slowest to fastest speeds from the first round
• A 10-minute break will occur between the first qualifying round and the final round
• Upon completion of the first qualifying round, the field will be set with positions 13 and beyond determined from first round qualifying speed
• The 12 fastest vehicles from the first round will have their speeds reset for the final round with starting positions 1-12 determined by the fastest laps in the final round
• NASCAR will hold race vehicles following each qualifying lap; vehicles advancing to the final round will be allowed to adjust tape and utilize a cool-down unit during the 10-minute break only.

The FireKeepers Casino Pole Day is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 4:45 p.m. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will qualify for the Careers for Veterans 200 presented by The Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation on Aug. 15. The truck series teams will take the green flag at 1 p.m. The NASCAR Sprint Series Pure Michigan 400 is on Aug. 16.