New Rules for 2005

NASCAR is listening to the fans for a change! They are finally getting around to setting up a fair competition platform for all competitors, regardless of the financial strengths of the team.

The new rules changes for the upcoming 2005 season are a breath of fresh air. The present qualifying fiasco is soon to be another part of NASCAR's storied history. Gone this year and last were the special qualifying engines that were built solely for a two lap hell bent for leather spin around the track to seek the first starting position. This season we saw the teams with the special qualifying setups on their cars take several pole positions; only to fall to the back once the green flag flew signaling the start of the event.

The Penske Racing organization has always been what one could call "aggressive" at qualifying for Cup Series events. Not to many season's ago, I believe it was the 2000 season before the one engine rule was put into effect, Rusty Wallace won nine poles. Even though he had the car to beat in the qualifying time trials, he only won four events that season. This year Penske driver Ryan Newman has won eight poles so far, but has only won two races! What does that tell you?

NASCAR is working with the track operators on the circuit to implement an across the board change in 2005 for the way it deals with this qualifying - Vs - racing problem. They have gotten more than half of the track operators to agree to their new scenario. In 2005, there will be no qualifying setups. The cars will have to qualify with their race setups because NASCAR is going to impound the racecars immediately after post qualifying inspections. In most instances, the qualifying time trials will be moved to Saturdays, or the day before the scheduled event. Teams won't be able to work on the cars until the first pit stop during the event that the cars have qualified for. There will be no more "happy hour" and morning practice sessions before the event following qualifying. All practicing sessions to get the racecars tuned in for the event will be done prior to the qualifying time trials.

There are some questions remaining at this juncture, mainly, will all of the track operators get on board with the new program for 2005? What will happen to a team whose car gets wrecked during qualifying? Will they get a chance to work on their car or work on a backup car to get it ready for the event?

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