NASCAR tweaks qualifying rules for Xfinity, Truck Series after crash fest Sunday

Following Daytona's crash fest in qualifying on Sunday afternoon from it's Sprint Cup Series drivers, and replies from fans and drivers on the situation; officials have tweaked their qualifying procedure for restrictor plate qualifying.  At least for the two races this weekend in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Sunday's incident involving NASCAR Sprint Cup veteran veteran Clint Bowyer and Reed Sorenson after Sorenson blocked Bowyer, NASCAR announced that they have tweaked the package for the two lower divisions this weekend.

How it works:

• The field will be broken into four groups based on a random draw. NASCAR officials will stage each group at the exit of pit road with their left-side tires on the outside white line of the pit stalls. This will eliminate drivers from pulling out of their pit stall and then parking by the exit of pit road before attempting to make a qualifying run.
• When the car begin to roll, it cannot stop, with NASCAR mandating that drivers must proceed on to the track and make a qualifying run. It will be at the driver’s discretion if they want to draft with those in their group or attempt a single car effort.
• The sessions have been shortened from five minutes to two minutes and 30 seconds.
• Between each of the four groups in Round 1, there will be a three-minute break and then a 10-minute break between Rounds 1 and Round 2 with the fastest 24 still advancing into the second round.
• Round 2 will see the 12 odd-ranked vehicles (fastest to slowest) make up the first group with the 12 even-ranked vehicles taking time as the second group. The staging will remain the same as will the session time limit (2:30). Following a 10-minute break, Round 3 will begin.
• Round 3 will take the top-12 cars in the two minute and 30 second allotment to compete for the pole.
   
  “We continue to work in collaboration with the industry to implement the most exciting and competitive qualifying format, especially as it relates to Superspeedways,” said NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell.
  
  “As a result, we have made a few adjustments to the format for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR XFINITY Series events later this week at Daytona. We will continue to review the qualifying format for future Superspeedway events.”