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Originally Posted by 2xtremefocus
How did they come up with the 11 positions set on pole day? I've never understood that. But, then again, I still don't understand the qualifying procedure for the Daytona 500 with the front row being set on pole day, then using the Gatorade Duels to set the rest of the field. It's just crazy.
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Positions 1-11 are on Saturday, 12-22 today, and 23-33 next Saturday, with bumping on Sunday. Unfortunately qualifying today was rained out, so next Saturday they will do spots 12-33, and Bump Day on Sunday like normal.
EDIT: Here is what I found on Wikipedia...
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Qualifying procedure
Throughout the years the race has used a number of qualifying procedures. In the first few races every entrant who posted the entry fee and attained a minimum qualifying speed was given a spot in the field and entries started in the order that their applications were received or a random draw.[3] Speed-based qualifying began in 1915 and the field was capped at 33 entries where it has stood ever since. The current four-lap qualifying distance was introduced in 1920.[3] For most of the post war era each car, regardless of driver, was allotted three qualifying attempts to make the field of 33. Drivers on lined up in order of the day they qualified and within that day they were ranked in order of speed. Once the field was full, the slowest car, regardless of the day it qualified, was bumped from the field if another driver drove faster. Qualifying attempts were set at the average speed of four laps around the speedway, totaling 10 miles, a rule that has stood since 1939.[3] Cars qualify one at a time. Once the four laps were completed the attempt was official; that car could not qualify again for that race, even if it was bumped from the field or if its four lap average was not adequate to bump into the field. However, the driver could attempt to qualify his "T car" or another entry. In order to use additional qualifying attempts, the car would have to "wave off" its attempt prior to taking the checkered flag at the end of the fourth lap by either the team owner waving a yellow flag from his vantage point at the beginning of the front stretch or by the driver pulling into pit lane. In addition, a driver wishing to better his time must withdraw his earlier qualifying time prior to beginning his new attempt, meaning that if he drives slower then the slower time stands and if he is unable to complete his attempt, he will no longer have a spot in the field.
In 2005, the speedway changed its qualifying rules in order to increase fan interest, especially in the second and third days of the four days of qualifying. Under the current rules, each car is allowed 3 attempts each day and cars are now allowed to be qualified again, even after completing an attempt if they are bumped or their time is withdrawn. The most significant change is limiting the number spots in the field available each day. On the first day, starting positions 1 through 11 are available, on the second day - 12 through 22, on day 3 - 23 through 33, and on day four the slowest driver regardless of day is bumped once the field is full. On days one through three, only the slowest driver on that day can be bumped from the field. For example if the field stood at 22 on day two, but the slowest driver qualified on day 1 in the 11th position, the driver sitting in the 22nd position would be bumped if he was surpassed in speed, not the driver sitting 11th. However, if the 11th place driver was still slowest on fourth day and the field was full, he would then be on the bubble. If spots are not filled on a given day, they carry over to the next day. For example, if at the end of the second day only 20 cars had registered qualifying times, positions 21 through 33 would be available on day 3. Qualifiers still start in the order of the day they qualified and then by speed, meaning that all day four qualifiers still start after the day 3 qualifiers.[3]
On a given day of qualifying, the track is open for qualifications from 12 noon to 6 PM local time. Prior to the day's activities, numbers are drawn for each entry that determine the order that the cars will be eligible to attempt to qualify starting at noon of that day. If any attempts are allowed that day, every entry that draws a number will be guaranteed at least one attempt to qualify that day, even if the attempt actually occurs on another day, they will be treated as a qualifier for the day they drew for. For example, if forty cars draw numbers for pole day, but rain starts after only 10 cars have made attempts and qualifications do not resume, the remaining entries will be allowed to make one attempt to qualify at the beginning of the session on Sunday and be treated as first day qualifiers. Once the list of drawn numbers has been exhausted by every entry either making an attempt or forgoing their opportunity, the track is open to all qualifiers to present their car to make an attempt. If there are no cars in line to make an attempt, the track is opened for practice. A car must only take to the track prior to the 6 PM gun in order for its attempt to count, meaning the driver may actually take the green or checkered flag after 6 PM.
Rain can and often does interfere with the track's practice and qualifying schedule and decisions made in the interest of safety and fair competition may differ from year to year based on different situations. Speedway COO Joie Chitwood III and IRL COO Brian Barnhart are ultimately charged with such decisions.
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Pole Day For Indycar..*spoiler alert*..
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