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Three Cheers for Changes


Mike Helton makes some big changes, and the final hoorah of the 2000 season.





Mike Helton .......... Makes a Change

NASCAR's new President, Mike Helton, vowed upon his appointment, to fashion the future of NASCAR with track competition as his number one priority. It didn't take him long to act on that promise. His announcement on December seventh concerning the rules change that eliminates second round qualifying is a move in the right direction. I am real happy to see it, and I am sure that most of the drivers and teams are as well.

In 2001, the teams will only get one shot at qualifying for their starting positions. The time they get on their run, will determine where they will start the race. There will be no more second chances. This new rule has a lot of great positive points. Provisional starting positions will now be held more sacred than ever. Drivers will strive to be more conservative with their racecars so they can finish the race, and keep their provisional starting spots if they are needed. Racing in the backfield will be tighter and harder, with drivers vying to finish in the top 25. It may even he much harder for the leader to pass up the backfield, putting drivers a lap down.

All of the hype concerning the coveted 25th "bubble" spot during qualifying will join the history books, along with the 2000 season. Another positive coming from the new rule, is the effect it will have on a lot of race teams. There will no longer be any need for teams to work Friday night, and all morning Saturday to get a car ready for the second round. Now on Saturdays, all of the teams can concentrate on setting the racecars up for the race and for Saturday's practice session. I think this extra time that a lot of teams will have, will enhance race preparation by the teams, and in turn lead to better handling racecars on the track. Which, has to make the race better, in all aspects.

Second round qualifying has been in controversy for the last couple of seasons, and just recently at Miami-Homestead. When drivers who had earned starting positions in the high 20's opted to stand on their time instead of re-qualifying, they were occasionally bumped out of the race by some of the lesser drivers who got lucky on their second qualifying run. When this happened, it caused a lot of ill feelings and disbelief within the ranks of the drivers and teams. The racing weekend should go much smoother now. Without the ill feelings and controversy, the teams can totally concentrate on racing, and have fun again.
The copyright of the article Three Cheers for Changes in NASCAR is owned by Thomas M. Sampson. Permission to republish Three Cheers for Changes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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