NASCAR changes Cup Series qualifying procedure at Iowa Speedway after rain delay

With rain coming through the area, NASCAR had to make a choice at Iowa Speedway and alter qualifying for the Cup Series. There will only be a single round with Group A and Group B alternating their positions throughout the field.

Usually, the Cup Series has Group A and B qualifying. The five fastest from those groups go to the final round to fight over the top-10 spots. There are still groups but things are a little different today in the NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa.

The five fastest from Group A and B will make up the top-10 based off of their times. Each driver gets two laps to qualify if they choose to do so. After the top-10 is set, drivers from Group A and B will alternate positions until the field is completely set.

Weird b/c one round … Top-5 Group A and Top-5 Group B will be top-10 in order of speed … then the rest of Group A is outside lane, the rest of Group B is inside lane.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 15, 2024

Earlier this afternoon, NASCAR had to cancel Xfinity Series qualifying due to rain. In order to have enough time to dry the track, get Cup qualifying finished, and then get to the Xfinity race, they had to call it off.

For that race, the starting grid was set by the metric. Austin Hill assumed pole position with Shane van Gisbergen right next to him. However, due to racing a backup car, SVG won’t actually start the race P2, he has to go to the rear.

For Cup qualifying, NASCAR has it figured out after the Iowa rain showers. We are going to get a pole winner here shortly.

NASCAR returns to Iowa, first time for Cup Series

For the first time since 2019, NASCAR has made it back to Iowa Speedway. This time around they brought the Cup Series for the first time ever. It will be an eventful weekend and already has been by most measures.

For the Cup Series, tires are going to be the big topic of discussion. Things are going to be testy. Drivers will try and baby their tires to start and to learn just how hard they can push them without blowing a tire and wrecking into the wall.

Is the single round qualifying the most fair? Eh. Does it mean that we are actually getting a qualifying run instead of just setting it by the metric? Yes. So, I’ll take it. It’s not ideal to change things at the last second, but this will be better than nothing.

NASCAR is in Iowa and ready to put on a show. They might put on more of a show than they ever intended if these tires don’t hold up for the Cup Series.