NASCAR Basics: How are starting positions decided in stock car racing?

NASCAR, much like any other motorsport, is governed by rules and regulations. At the beginning of every race, drivers assume their starting positions on the grid and prepare for the signal. Here's a breakdown of how the starting grid is decided.

Before the race, each driver participates in a qualifying session. This session takes place the day before the race. During qualifying, each driver completes timed laps around the racetrack. The driver with the quickest time wins the pole position.

Qualifying is split into three sessions. In the first two sessions, the grid is split in half - into Groups A and B - and each driver takes two solo laps. The fastest five cars from both groups advance to the final part of the qualifying. The remaining drivers from Group A occupy the outside row, while the drivers from Group B occupy the inside row, starting from the 11th position on the grid.

In the final session, each driver sets their fastest time, which determines the top 10 positions. The pole-sitter starts at the front left of the grid. The second-place car sits on the front row, on the pole-sitter's right. The rest of the field follows this alternating pattern, thereby creating a staggered formation.

Before the race begins, all cars perform a warm-up lap behind the pace car, albeit maintaining the grid order. As the pace car enters the pit, all drivers make a rolling start toward the start/finish line.

NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400

Apart from this, there is also a 'formula-based' qualifying method, which is generally used when practice and normal qualifying sessions are not possible. It is based on four factors with their respective weightage - driver’s finish in the previous race (25%), car owner’s finish in the previous race (25%), rank of each car in the owner standings (35%), and rank of each driver’s fastest lap in the previous race (15%).

The formula is as follows:

(A * 0.25) + (B * 0.25) + (C * 0.35) + (D * 0.15)

where 'A' is the driver’s previous finish, 'B' is the owner’s previous finish, 'C' is the owner's standings rank, and 'D' is the fastest lap rank. The driver with the lowest value secures the pole position.

---

Why qualifying strategies are important for NASCAR teams

While most of the action takes place on the race day, NASCAR teams consider qualifying to be one of the most important sessions. Let's explore the reasons behind this.

Starting Position: A good starting position can provide a significant advantage, as it allows drivers to avoid traffic and potential accidents at the start of the race.

Track Familiarization: Qualifying also allows drivers to familiarize themselves with the race track. This is important, especially when the track has a challenging layout.

Strategy adjustment: The result of qualifying is important for teams, as it can influence their strategy for the race, making crucial adjustments and predicting several outcomes. It allows the team to set up their cars accordingly.

Psychological benefits: A strong qualifying result can boost the morale of the drivers. This in turn can have a positive impact on the race.