No More Random Draw, NASCAR Devises New Formula for Deciding Starting Line-Ups

Published 08/07/2020, 8:25 AM EDT

NASCAR has devised a new way of determining starting lineups and pit selection order. This new method will be applicable for races, starting with next weekend’s action at the Daytona Road Course.

A random draw method is in place currently for most races for determining starting line-ups.

This is in place since NASCAR returned in May after the long break due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Currently, races do not have practice or qualifying sessions.

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Competition-based performance metrics in NASCAR

To replace this, NASCAR will use competition-based performance metrics to determine the line-ups.

The new method will be a weighted average of three factors. These are owner points position, the finish, and fastest lap from the most recently completed race.

This weighted average will then decide the starting order for races. The importance of each factor will be – 50% for finishing position, 35% for points position, and 15% for the fastest race lap.

“The random draw has served us well during the return to racing. But it is important that starting lineups are based on performance as we approach the playoffs,” said Scott Miller, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition, in a press release.

“The entire industry is aligned on implementing a competition-based system to determine the starting lineup and pit selection order,” Miller added.

It’s a fair method, says Joey Logano

For the playoffs, the playoff cars will fill the top starting positions. The Top-16 starting positions will be playoff cars for the Round of 16.

Joey Logano, who drives for Team Penske, said that the new formula can be confusing for many fans, but it made sense.

He said that as long as all the drivers agree to it, it is the right way to go.

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“It’s maybe a little bit more confusing than what I would have gone with. If they end up going with the process that has been talked about here, just for the race fans I feel like it’s confusing.

“But, outside of that, so it’s fair and I guess that’s all that matters. It’s fair, and I’m sure that’s probably what the fans care about the most,” Logano said.

“If all of us competitors can agree that it’s a fair way to set the lineup, I don’t think any fan is really gonna care how it happened as long as we all feel like you earned your starting position, just like we used to,” Logano added.

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SOURCE- NBC Sports

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Written by:

Aayush Majumdar is a NASCAR content strategist, a Tennis Writer, and a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. He is well-tenured as a tennis and NASCAR writer, with over 900 articles across both sports. After pursuing a Post Graduate program in Sports Management, Aayush explored various roles in Sports Media, including a Sports Reporting role at a leading English daily.

No More Random Draw, NASCAR Devises New Formula for Deciding Starting Line-Ups

Competition-based performance metrics in NASCAR

It’s a fair method, says Joey Logano

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