Multi-truck qualifying planned for Pocono race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Wednesday that it will revise the qualifying procedure for the Camping World Truck Series' inaugural race at Pocono Raceway on July 31, with a multi-truck session on the 2.5-mile track.

The order in which trucks will qualify for the 36 available positions will be based on their practice speeds from final practice on July 30. Times will be inverted, allowing the slowest truck in practice to be the first out in qualifying on Saturday morning, with the fastest truck going out last. Trucks will be released from pit road in approximately 25-second increments.

Two laps of qualifying will be allowed with the fastest lap counting. Once a truck comes onto pit road its respective qualifying lap is complete. No drafting will be permitted.

"The distance and uniqueness of Pocono afforded us the opportunity to implement this style of qualifying for this event," said Truck Series director Wayne Auton. "SPEED is excited about the format and we believe the fans, drivers and viewing audience will embrace it, too."

"It will definitely be different than what we are used to," said Todd Bodine, a former series champion who currently leads the series standings by 101 points on Aric Almirola. "It will be quite a show I'm sure. It should be good for the fans and good for television."

"We are thrilled to have the Truck Series coming to Pocono Raceway for the inaugural Pocono Mountains 125," said Brandon Igdalsky, president of Pocono Raceway. "Recently, Pocono Raceway has been the host to many firsts, and with the new qualifying format being introduced and the always exciting double-file restarts, the Truck Series' first trip to Pocono is sure to be a memorable one."

A drawing for qualifying order will be held in case inclement weather cancels the session. The field would then be set according to the Camping World Truck Series rule book.

Qualifying will be televised on SPEED at 10 a.m. ET on July 31 from Pocono. Tickets to the Pocono Mountains 125 are available online at www.poconoraceway.com or by calling 1-800- RACEWAY (800-722-3829).