NASCAR events have used a very different format since the season resumed amid the coronavirus pandemic, and while fans have been allowed to return to the track in some states, NASCAR has decided to stick with its shortened weekend schedule for the rest of the year.
In a typical year, teams would have multiple practice sessions and a qualifying session before the green flag drops, adding up to hours of valuable track time to determine a setup for the race and fix any problems with the car. Following the coronavirus outbreak, though, NASCAR has eliminated all practice sessions and qualifying in order to limit the amount of time teams will spend in the garage, turning races into a one-day event. That routine will continue for the entirety of the 2020 season.
Via NASCAR.com:
“Following discussions with our race teams and the broader industry, NASCAR will continue to conduct its race weekends without practice and qualifying for the remainder of the 2020 season in all three national series,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition. “The current format has worked well in addressing several challenges during our return to racing. Most importantly, we have seen competitive racing week-to-week. NASCAR will adjust the starting lineup draw procedure for the Playoff races, and will announce the new process at a later date.”
This does have some significant implications for teams, particularly during the playoffs. The 2020 NASCAR championship will be decided in a one-race, winner-take-all scenario between the final four eligible drivers – and with zero practice to hone the car in, the title could be won or lost in the shop before the race.
NASCAR is also exploring the possibility of making changes to its qualifying draw for the playoffs. Currently, with no qualifying, NASCAR conducts a random draw to determine the starting order, assigning drivers to separate tiers based on their position in the standings. For a driver in the top 12, they could start any given race from 1st to 12th, and so on. In an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Miller said that NASCAR could change the draw format to include all 16 playoff cars in the first draw.
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