Group qualifying for the Daytona 500: Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unlike any other auto racing qualifying procedure. Drivers have multiple opportunities to qualify for the season-opening race, as opposed to the usual format of one qualifying session per event. The first chance comes via Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying, which will be held Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:00pm/et on FOX. For the first time, group qualifying will be used to set the Daytona 500 field, and the new process will change the way positions 33-36 make the show. The other chance is the Budweiser Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races held on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7:00pm/et on FOX Sports 1.
Here is a breakdown of the Daytona 500 qualifying procedure
1) Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying
* Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups based on a random draw. Vehicles drawing an odd number will be in the first group with even numbers in the second group. The first round is five minutes, and the 24 fastest cars advance to the second round. Following a 10-minute break, the second round will be five minutes with the fastest 12 advancing to the third and final round. A seven-minute break will precede the third round, which will last five minutes. The top two cars will make up the front row for the Daytona 500.
* The Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races, will determine starting positions for the Daytona 500 beyond the front row. The fastest qualifier in Coors Light Pole Qualifying will be on the pole for the first Duel at Daytona, and the second-fastest qualifier will be on the pole for the second Duel at Daytona. In the event of cancellation, the field will be set according to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.
a) Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups based on the random drawing. Those vehicles with an odd numbered random drawing number will be assigned in the first group. Those vehicles with an even numbered random drawing number will be assigned in the second group.
b) The first Qualifying round is five minutes in duration for each group, unless otherwise authorized by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director.
c) There will be a seven-minute break upon completion of the first group.
d) The 24 eligible vehicles that post the fastest single lap speed from either first Qualifying round groups will advance to the second Qualifying round.
e) The remaining vehicles will be sorted in descending order based on their fastest single lap speed posted in the first round of Qualifying to determine qualifying positions.
f) There will be a ten-minute break after the completion of the first Qualifying round and the 24 remaining vehicles that advance to the second Qualifying round will have their speeds reset.
g) The second Qualifying round is five minutes in duration and the 12 eligible vehicles that post the fastest single lap speed will advance to the final Qualifying round.
h) The remaining vehicles will be sorted in descending order for Qualifying positions 13th - 24th based on their fastest single lap speed posted in second Qualifying round.
i) There will be a seven-minute break after the completion of the second Qualifying round and the 12 eligible vehicles that advance to the final Qualifying round will have their speeds reset.
j) The final Qualifying round is five minutes in duration and vehicles will be sorted in descending order for Qualifying positions 1st - 12th based on their fastest single lap speed.
Duel at Daytona
* Those cars earning odd-numbered positions from qualifying will be assigned to the first Duel race.
* Those cars earning even-numbered positions from qualifying will compete in the second race.
* The starting positions for each Duel race will also be based on qualifying times.
Daytona 500 lineup
* The two fastest qualifiers during Coors Light Pole Qualifying earn starting positions one and two.
* The highest 15 finishers in each Duel race -- excluding the already locked-in front row -- will earn a spot in the Daytona 500, and fill positions 3-32.
* Based on their finishing position in the first Duel race, the top 15 will line up on the inside row (odd-number starting positions).
* Based on their finishing position in the second Duel race, the top 15 will line up on the outside row (even-number starting positions).
* Positions 33-36 will go to the four fastest cars from any round of Coors Light Pole Qualifying that have not already earned a spot.
* Positions 37-42 will be provisional positions, and go to the highest six cars in 2014 owner points that are present, have entered by the entry deadline and have not already qualified via the Duel or Coors Light Pole Qualifying.
* The 43rd starting position will be assigned to any car owner who has the most recent eligible past NASCAR Sprint Cup champion who did not make the field by any other method, providing the driver had competed in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. If the 43rd position remains unused, it will be assigned to the next highest car in 2014 owner points not already locked into the field.
For the group qualifying rules and format, see my Qualifying Rules page