October 24, 2002

Well we didn’t have a good qualifying run but that is only a process that tells us where to start the race.

How many times have we heard that line this year from drivers?

When we think of how NASCAR used to be we remember the days in which a team built their best qualifying motor and tried hard for the pole. There was something said for winning the pole and success was measured in brute horse power and trick chassis set ups.

NASCAR, the sanctioning body for the Winston Cup series saw fit to change the magic of qualifying some time ago with a mandated shock package, one engine rule and, an eventual end to the bump stop setup that made for some interesting qualifying events.

What we see now is a process that is becoming predictable and perhaps controlled. The teams go through the motions but in the end agree that it’s only a starting position. A top fifteen starting spot is nice but, we have seen guys come from the back to win races.

I for one would like to see points for qualifying. As soon as the sanctioning body offers points for something the teams pay more attention to the process. Currently we have finishing points and bonus points, what about qualifying points?

Think of how the year could play out with qualifying points. This could change the outcome of the championship. Perhaps fifty points for winning the pole is not an unrealistic suggestion.

NASCAR has mandated so many restrictions on the cars that they indeed will be closer then we have ever witnessed in 2003. The new body location rule as well as engine compliance and don’t forget about the shock package too. Given this equalization of equipment and a lot of talk about putting the chances back into the hands of driver and crew, why not points for qualifying?

By no means do I have any exacting math for this idea but, suggest an addition to the sport instead of taking something away. We have seen a lot of the excitement in the sport deleted in what was explained away as being monetary concerns for the teams. It was stated that teams were spending too much on qualifying motors, thus we saw the process racked back.

We can’t take anything else away folks, it’s all gone. We have cars that are at their most equal (2003) point than at any time in the history of NASCAR. This is the perfect time to see the drivers rewarded for their driving skill in qualifying. Make the process an event that carries clout and has a defined outcome.

Current Point Standings Tony Stewart 4263 Jimmie Johnson 4181 Mark Martin 4140 Rusty Wallace 4089 Ryan Newman 4086 Jeff Gordon 3972 Kurt Busch 3946 Matt Kenseth 3929 Ricky Rudd 3923 Dale Jarrett 3862 Bill Elliott 3824 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3784

With 50 Qualifying Points Tony Stewart 4363 Jimmie Johnson 4331 Ryan Newman 4286 Mark Martin 4140 Rusty Wallace 4139 Jeff Gordon 4122 Bill Elliott 4024 Matt Kenseth 3979 Ricky Rudd 3973 Kurt Busch 3946 Dale Jarrett 3912 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 3884

You can see that by adding the qualifying points into the mix the point chase gets closer and in some cases changes. Bill Elliott made the biggest gain but for the most part out of twelve contenders no big drastic changes occurred. We looked at the points up until Martinsville. Also noted is the fact that if an event had rain there were no points given for the pole.

All in all, it's easy to believe that by awarding points for qualifying, the points chase intensifies and in this case becomes closer. With all the changes to the cars that NASCAR has suggested it would be my hope that the sanctioning body could explore this area in an effort to bring the fans something to cheer about on qualifying day.

You can contact Joe at: Insider Racing News