NASCAR News: Series changes Cup starting grid procedure

NASCAR has changed the way the starting grid will be set, starting this weekend at New Hampshire.

Rather than having the final round speeds determine the first through tenth starting spots, the drivers from Group A during the final round will set the outside rows 2-5 and Group B will set the inside rows 2-5.

The top two fastest speeds still be the pole and outside pole.

This change sets the starting positions for the drivers in the final round in the same way as those that do not make the final round.

The new rule is as follows (new text in red).

Qualifying Format for Oval Track

7.4.

O. If one or both groups are unable to complete the Final Qualifying round due to weather or other adverse circumstances, only speeds posted in the first Qualifying round will be used. The fastest vehicle in Group A and Group B will be assigned starting positions 1st and 2nd in descending order, fastest to slowest. All remaining Group B vehicles will be assigned odd numbered starting positions (3rd , 5th etc.) in descending order. All remaining Group A vehicles will be assigned even numbered starting positions (4th, 6th etc.) in descending order.

7.9.1.3 – ASSIGNMENT OF STARTING GRID POSITIONS 1ST-40TH WITH QUALIFYING GROUPS

A. Starting grid positions 1st-40th will be assigned to eligible Team Owners in the order of final Qualifying results.

B. The fastest single lap speed posted by each eligible vehicle in its assigned group will determine its starting
grid position.

C. All vehicles that advance to the Final round of Qualifying will be assigned starting positions 1st-10th based on their speed posted in the Final round in descending order, fastest to slowest. The fastest vehicle from Group A and Group B will be assigned starting positions 1st and 2nd based on their fastest single lap speed in the Final round in descending order. The 2nd , 3rd,4th and 5th fastest vehicles in the Final round from Group A will be assigned starting positions 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th fastest vehicles in the Final round from Group B will be assigned starting positions 3rd, 5th , 7th, 9th.

D. Vehicles in Group B that do not advance to the final Qualifying round and are eligible for the Event, will be assigned the odd numbered starting positions (11th, 13th, 15th, etc.).

E. Vehicles in Group A that do not advance to the final Qualifying round will be assigned to the even numbered starting positions (12th, 14th, 16th, etc.).

F. When two or more eligible vehicles in the same Group have the same Qualifying speed, the starting grid positions for those vehicles in that Event shall be assigned based on the NASCAR Cup Series Team Owner Points standings in descending order, in accordance with Section 7.1 General Requirements.

G. If the NASCAR Cup Series Team Owner Points standings do not prevail in breaking the tie, then starting grid positions amongst those vehicles will be assigned by the order in which the duplicate speed was posted, with the driver setting the duplicate speed first receiving the higher starting grid position.

H. In the event the even and odd positions become imbalanced, vehicles may be assigned starting positions that are not based on their Group to ensure the odd numbered positions are filled first.