Group qualifying provides new twist to setting field for Great American Race
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Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unlike any other auto racing qualifying procedure. Drivers have multiple opportunities to qualify for the season-opening race, as opposed to the usual format of one qualifying session per event.
The first chance was via Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying, held Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. For the first time, group qualifying was used to set the Great American Race field, and the new process changed the way positions 33-36 make the show. (See below.)
The other chance is the Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races held on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
Here is a breakdown of the Daytona 500 qualifying procedure:
Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying
• Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups based on a random draw. Vehicles drawing an odd number will be in the first group with even numbers in the second group. The first round is five minutes, and the 24 fastest cars advance to the second round. Following a 10-minute break, the second round will be five minutes with the fastest 12 advancing to the third and final round. A seven-minute break will precede the third round, which will last five minutes. The top two cars will make up the front row for the Daytona 500.
• The Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races, will determine starting positions for the Daytona 500 beyond the front row. The fastest qualifier in Coors Light Pole Qualifying will be on the pole for the first Duel at Daytona, and the second-fastest qualifier will be on the pole for the second Duel at Daytona. In the event of cancellation, the field will be set according to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.
Duel at Daytona
• Those cars earning odd-numbered positions from qualifying will be assigned to the first Duel race. Those cars earning even-numbered positions from qualifying will compete in the second race.
• The starting positions for each Duel race will also be based on qualifying times.
Daytona 500 lineup
• The two fastest qualifiers during Coors Light Pole Qualifying earn starting positions one and two.
• The highest 15 finishers in each Duel race -- excluding the already locked-in front row -- will earn a spot in the Daytona 500, and fill positions 3-32.
• Based on their finishing position in the first Duel race, the top 15 will line up on the inside row (odd-number starting positions).
• Based on their finishing position in the second Duel race, the top 15 will line up on the outside row (even-number starting positions).
• Positions 33-36 will go to the four fastest cars from any round of Coors Light Pole Qualifying that have not already earned a spot.
• Positions 37-42 will be provisional positions, and go to the highest six cars in 2014 owner points that are present, have entered by the entry deadline and have not already qualified via the Duel or Coors Light Pole Qualifying.
• The 43rd starting position will be assigned to any car owner who has the most recent eligible past NASCAR Sprint Cup champion who did not make the field by any other method, providing the driver had competed in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. If the 43rd position remains unused, it will be assigned to the next highest car in 2014 owner points not already locked into the field.
| Row |
Inside | Outside | Explained |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Top two qualifiers (Final round of Coors Light Pole Qualifying) | ||
| 2 | Top 15 from Duel races (Inside: First race; Outside: Second race) | ||
| 3 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 4 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 5 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 6 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 7 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 8 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 9 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 10 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 11 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 12 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 13 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 14 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 15 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 16 | Top 15 from Duel races | ||
| 17 | Four fastest qualifiers from any round | ||
| 18 | Four fastest qualifiers from any round | ||
| 19 | 2014 owner points | ||
| 20 | 2014 owner points | ||
| 21 | 2014 owner points | ||
| 22 | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Past champion or 2014 owner points |