Once more in english, Please?

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/26282.htm

Professional qualifying format to change in 2008 POWERade Series

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/16/2008


Given the significant impact weather and atmospheric conditions have had on
qualifying for NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events in past seasons, NHRA
has modified its race qualifying procedure.

Beginning with the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway
at Pomona, Feb. 7-10, the top 12 elapsed times in each pro category will be
provisionally recorded prior to the last day of qualifying. Those teams who
were unable to earn a provisional spot in the top 12 will have an
opportunity to make the 16-car starting order during the final day of
qualifying.

While the 12 provisional times are officially recorded prior to the last day
of qualifying, those positions are not locked-in. All teams will have the
opportunity to improve their positions during the final day of qualifying
and can bump in or be bumped out of the field.

"There are no guarantees with this system," said Graham Light, senior vice
president of racing operations, NHRA. "If you are one of the 12 quickest
cars, you can still be bumped out on the final day of qualifying, or you can
improve your position in the order. However, if weather conditions change
and become less optimal and as a result the performances are not as good
throughout the field, the four quickest cars from outside the provisional 12
on the final day of qualifying will complete the 16-car lineup."

The field of 16 for each of the four professional categories will be set at
the conclusion of the final round of qualifying, using the traditional
16-car race bracket for eliminations.

"We feel this new qualifying format will heighten the intensity for each and
every qualifying session throughout the weekend," Light said. "We're certain
it will make the racing on the track even more entertaining for fans."

All qualifying elapsed times will count in the Full Throttle Pit Crew
Championship standings as well as towards national records. The Full
Throttle Pit Crew Championship awards the top-performing pit crews in each
of the four professional categories at each event as well as a year-end
champion. Teams are rewarded based on performance and consistency during
qualifying runs, with points deducted for quarter-mile passes that result in
oil on the racetrack.

This is quite simple, really. <rolling my eyes at NHRA>

If the final day of qualifying doesn't happen due to weather, the ladder is
the fastest 12 and the next fastest 4. That way, we have a 16 car field.

If the final day of qualifying does happen, the ladder is those fastest 12
and the next fastest 4 unless someone from the fastest 12 gets bumped down
or out by the next fastest 4 or their previously slower than all 16 who can
bump anyone.

Sounds like lawyers got involved ;^) Jeezzz....

Bill


"JA" <noyb.TakeThisOut@noyb.com> wrote in message
news:478e41b8$0$4960$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> http://www.nhra.com/content/news/26282.htm
>
> Professional qualifying format to change in 2008 POWERade Series
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 1/16/2008
>
>
> Given the significant impact weather and atmospheric conditions have had
> on qualifying for NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events in past seasons,
> NHRA has modified its race qualifying procedure.
>
> Beginning with the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals at Auto Club
> Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 7-10, the top 12 elapsed times in each pro
> category will be provisionally recorded prior to the last day of
> qualifying. Those teams who were unable to earn a provisional spot in the
> top 12 will have an opportunity to make the 16-car starting order during
> the final day of qualifying.
>
> While the 12 provisional times are officially recorded prior to the last
> day of qualifying, those positions are not locked-in. All teams will have
> the opportunity to improve their positions during the final day of
> qualifying and can bump in or be bumped out of the field.
>
> "There are no guarantees with this system," said Graham Light, senior vice
> president of racing operations, NHRA. "If you are one of the 12 quickest
> cars, you can still be bumped out on the final day of qualifying, or you
> can improve your position in the order. However, if weather conditions
> change and become less optimal and as a result the performances are not as
> good throughout the field, the four quickest cars from outside the
> provisional 12 on the final day of qualifying will complete the 16-car
> lineup."
>
> The field of 16 for each of the four professional categories will be set
> at the conclusion of the final round of qualifying, using the traditional
> 16-car race bracket for eliminations.
>
> "We feel this new qualifying format will heighten the intensity for each
> and every qualifying session throughout the weekend," Light said. "We're
> certain it will make the racing on the track even more entertaining for
> fans."
>
> All qualifying elapsed times will count in the Full Throttle Pit Crew
> Championship standings as well as towards national records. The Full
> Throttle Pit Crew Championship awards the top-performing pit crews in each
> of the four professional categories at each event as well as a year-end
> champion. Teams are rewarded based on performance and consistency during
> qualifying runs, with points deducted for quarter-mile passes that result
> in oil on the racetrack.
>
>