NASCAR Cracking Down on Superspeedway Qualifying Strategy
What’s Happening? NASCAR is putting a stop to the popular superspeedway qualifying strategy where drivers deflect air from the driver’s side…
During qualifying for the Daytona 500, Noah Gragson fell victim to a recent rule change in NASCAR qualifying procedure that has disallowed his qualifying time for the Great American Race.
Last week, NASCAR introduced a rule aimed at preventing drivers from sticking their hands near and outside the small opening in front of their driver’s side window net.
Throughout the season, this rule applies to all tracks. However, Daytona, Talladega, and EchoPark Speedway are the real targets of this rule change, as for the past few seasons, drivers have been able to block the air with their hands during qualifying laps to help create minor increases in speed.
The new rule reads as follows:
“As determined by NASCAR, once a vehicle exits pit road during a Qualifying attempt, the driver’s hands may not be used to redirect air in any manner including but not limited to touching the window net, blocking air from entering the cockpit, redirecting air from the window, etc. Non-compliance will result in loss of Qualifying time.”
Well, it seems like a pretty cut-and-paste rule; one driver, Front Row Motorsports’ Noah Gragson, has already fallen victim to the rule.
During qualifying for the Daytona 500 on Wednesday night, Gragson stuck his hand in the opening of the window during his qualifying run.
While NASCAR disallowed Gragson’s time, it seems he had no cruel intentions in his actions, as, following this ruling from NASCAR, Gragson told FOX Sports Jamie Little, “I completely forgot about that rule. So that one’s on me.”
Though Gragson will not post an official qualifying time, his No. 4 team’s status as a Charter entry guarantees his entry into the 500. Furthermore, he will have a chance to improve on his starting spot in one of two Duel races tomorrow night.
What’s Happening? NASCAR is putting a stop to the popular superspeedway qualifying strategy where drivers deflect air from the driver’s side…
Let us know your thoughts on this! Join the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more updates.