Community Forums

Rodneykrantz · 10-15-2012, 09:17 AM

No more Daytona Duel qualifying races? word is Daytona International Speedway is dropping those two Thursday 150s [Duel qualifying races]. Lack of sponsorship.(MikeMulhern.net).
BUT in February Budweiser and Daytona International Speedway announced the beer brand will take on an enhanced role in NASCAR's season opening festivities. Beginning with the 2013 season, Budweiser will become the official title sponsor of Speedweeks the ten-day stretch of stock-car races from the Shootout to the Daytona 500. Budweiser also will secure entitlement of the Budweiser Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. These enhancements to Budweiser's partnership with DIS will replace the brand's existing entitlement of the season-opening, non-points Shootout.(Daytona International Speedway)(10-14-2012)

JimM68 · 10-15-2012, 06:12 PM

you're confusing me.... no more duels due to lack of sponsorship?
Except not the duals have a sponsor, Budwieser?

Also, IMHO, the duals became meaningless when the top 35 carsmade the field automatically. Word is nascar id days from making an announcement regarding the end of the top35, going back to the days when even the patty's, johnson's, and earnhardts had to drive their way into the field.
Yea!!!

djbmsu · 10-18-2012, 06:58 PM

The top 35 has been dropped and other changes are, only 40 cars in the Nationwide series now.. Seems strange that cigarettes had to be dropped as advertisers but its OK for them to advertise booze ?

2Labs · 10-18-2012, 07:28 PM

In reality, the change with dropping the Top 35 Rule won't change anything for the "have's" in NASCAR. With the backup provisinal's, it's not like any of the top teams will not make a race.

The drop in the Nationwide Field from 43 cars to 40 is supposedly designed to bring more small/new teams to the races and improve their chances of making a race. I'm not sure I see that logic with shortening the field.

Rodneykrantz · 10-19-2012, 08:34 AM

You can build a car that will qualify but won’t race I see a lot of start and park cars doing that

JimM68 · 10-19-2012, 11:15 AM

I think the changes are positive but mostly meaningless.

One good thing though, in February, the first 17 or so finishers in each Budwieser Duel will start in the Daytona 500.

I really wish they would drop the provisionals completely. Each and every one should have to race their way into each and every race. None of this falling back on the fastest in the first practice either. qualify... or go home.