NASCAR updates qualifying format for 2014 season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In a move aimed toward enhancing the fan experience watching at the track and at home, NASCAR has announced a new group qualifying format for its three national series that is more compelling, more closely emulates actual on-track competition and underlines the sport’s on-going commitment to innovation.

This update will not impact qualifying for the Daytona 500, which will follow its traditional plan of qualifying on Sunday, Feb. 16 and the Duels on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Here is the breakdown for the remaining races in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season:

At tracks measuring 1.25 miles in length or larger, qualifying will consist of three rounds:

•The first qualifying elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and includes all cars. The 24 cars that post the fastest single lap from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round.

•The remaining cars will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.

•The second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and the 12 cars that post the fastest single lap time will advance to the third and final round. The fastest remaining cars earn positions 13th through 24th based on their times posted in qualifying in descending order.

•The third and final qualifying round will be five minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.

•There will be a five-minute break between each qualifying round.

At tracks measuring less than 1.25 miles, qualifying will consist of two rounds:

•The first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and includes all cars. The 12 cars that post the fastest single lap time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round.

•The remaining cars will be sorted based on their times posted in the first round of qualifying in descending order.

•There will be a 10-minute break between the two qualifying rounds.

•The second and final qualifying round will be 10 minutes in duration and the fastest single lap time posted will determine positions 1st through 12th in descending order.