Single Car Qualifying No More

        NASCAR makes a huge change to the qualifying format. The traditional single car qualifying we are all accustom to throughout NASCAR's top three series will be no more. NASCAR announced January 22nd a Formula 1 style knockout qualifying will be instituted at all tracks. With different formats for tracks under and over 1.25 miles in length. For tracks over 1.25mi The first qualifying elimination round will be 25 minutes in duration and includes all cars/trucks. The 24 cars/trucks that post the fastest single lap from the first qualifying round will advance to the second round. Remaining cars will be sorted based on time. The second qualifying elimination round will be 10 minutes in duration and the 12 cars/trucks that post the fastest single lap time will advance to the third and final round. The fastest remaining cars/trucks 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 5 minuet break in between each round.
         For tracks under 1.25mi The first qualifying elimination round will be 30 minutes in duration and includes all cars/trucks. The 12 cars/trucks that post the fastest single lap time from the first qualifying round will advance to the second and final round. 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. This format give a 10 minuet break between 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. 
         The new format will not be in use for the Daytona 500 due to its historic qualifying events, it will also excluded the Camping World Truck Series race at Eldora and non-points Sprint Cup races. A clause in the move I see changing soon is teams will only be given one set of tires to qualify.
         This is another move by NASCAR to improve the fan experience but I'm not sure of the move, while yes it is different and will give excitement to qualifying, we are moving away from tradition. I am interested on how well this will go over at the first tracks of the season. 

Elliot Makes Big Step

Chase Elliot made a large announcement Monday January 6^th, announcing that he will be joining JR Motorsports with NAPA Auto Parts as main sponsor. This will be a huge step for the Hendrick Development Driver and son of Legend Bill Elliot. Elliot who ran 9 Camping World Truck races, where he collected seven top ten’s and one win. Elliot who has been competing full time in the K&N Pro Series East with Aarons as his sponsor but they parted ways at the end of the year. The Partnership with NAPA will be a good fit for the Young Elliot and the Experienced Rick Hendrick. NAPA likes to make long partnerships and this appears to be the start of a brand new one. Elliot comes to the very powerful JR Motorsports and will join Regan Smith, Kevin Harvick, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as teammates.

Also announced was Earnhardt Jr. fill in testing driver since he cannot make the Nationwide test, he chose Chase’s Father Bill Elliot. This should be an extra boost of confidence for the young Chase Elliot as he makes his first laps.

-Stephen Appell