He elaborated that "the current format has worked well in addressing several challenges during our return to racing." However, "most importantly, we have seen competitive racing week-to-week."
That means the Playoffs will not have qualifying and will also be subject to the random draw. Miller elaborated that, to make it somewhat more fair, "NASCAR will adjust the starting lineup draw procedure for the Playoff races, and will announce the new process at a later date.” That will likely mean all the drivers in the Playoffs will get to start in the front of the field.Owe
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He noted that the chaos created by the wreck - in the middle of green-flag pit stops - did make “more entertaining finish, so if you like chaos, then that was good.” However, in his mind, he's "a professional race car driver that’s worked...to get [to the Cup Series] and would like to think that those efforts have created a spot for me in this series to be joined with peers of similar talent levels." However, among his competitors he thinks there are a "handful of drivers that kindly I wonder exactly how they got to this level." Especially, he said, with a rules package that the cars currently have that make it easy to drive, meaning the real test only comes on race day. Brad's annoyed that "drivers that have had this issue multiple times somehow are still here." As he solution, he thinks they should "effectively be placed in a lower series or asked to go back to a more minor league level to prove their salt." Ultimately, though, the issue comes down to funding. That's the reason Quinn Houff is in the 00 car, with just two late model wins to his name and just ten Xfinity and five ARCA starts. If the Star Com Team can't afford better talent and experience, then that's the caliber of driver that will be in some seats. NASCAR promises to change that with the next-gen car, which will lower costs for the teams and allow them to spend more on better drivers who will cost more to get but be up to snuff for the Cup Series.
Price will be out for the Kentucky race at minimum, getting time to recover. Team Penske announced that Curtis Thompson, rear tire changer for the 32 of Corie LaJoie, will temporarily take his position.
The sport stood behind its driver and has continued to bring NASCAR forward and better for everyone. It's a difficult situation for everyone in the sport, but the reaction showed the unity. Wallace said that he has been "overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry, including other drivers and team members in the garage," adding that "together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone."
NASCAR fans were vocal in their criticism. Some called the numbers "hideous" while others threatened to leave the sport. NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell was quick to respond to that, pointing out that it was just for one race, and that one team had asked for it - probably Go Fas, given their enthusiasm for the design. After the All Star Race and the All Star Open qualifier, NASCAR will "evaluate it," according to NASCAR President Steve Phelps. The sport will take the criticism into account for that decision. Despite the outrage of the fans, this number placement is not without precedent. NASCAR historian Keith Martin noted that numbers were often placed near the rear wheels in the early days of the sport with the sponsors on the doors. Autoweek also noted that the NASCAR Mexico Series has had the number on the rear quarter panel since it began in 2004, and it is approved for racers in the Pro, Euro and Pinty's Series.
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