NASCAR makes changes to Cup Series qualifying procedures for 2024

NASCAR officials have announced some changes to the way the field will be set for the Cup Series in 2024.

On Tuesday, some fresh qualifying procedures were revealed by the sport’s sanctioning body. Many have clamored for an updated version of NASCAR’s qualifying for the Cup Series, and some adjustments have been announced ahead of a new campaign.

“Qualifying procedures for the NASCAR Cup Series will receive an adjustment in 2024, officials revealed Tuesday at the sanctioning body’s Research & Development Center,” Jared C. Tilton of NASCAR.com wrote. “Each race’s 36-plus entrants will continue to be split into two groups for time-trial qualification, with the fastest five drivers from each group advancing to the pole round and setting the top 10 starting positions for the main event. That hasn’t changed. What will change is the manner in which positions 11-40 are determined.

“Previously, the cars that finished outside the top five in the two groups were seeded 11-40 based on their fastest qualifying lap, regardless of which group the drivers were in. Beginning in 2024 – and with the exception of the Daytona 500, which has its own unique qualifying procedure – cars that do not advance from Group A will determine the outside row for starting positions 11-40, while the remaining cars from Group B will determine the inside row.”

Moreover, Tilton also relayed that “there will be no groups during qualifying procedures” for super speedways, “There will be two rounds, with the fastest 10 drivers advancing from the first round and the best time from Round 2 taking the pole.”

Alas, NASCAR officials have leaned on feedback from members of the industry to come to their decision. All things considered, they cited track conditions changing throughout the course of a qualifying session, and limiting possible variances as reasons for the adjustment.

Of course, we won’t see the new qualifying system in action for the Daytona 500. That’ll remain the same, with the famed Daytona 500 qualifying and Daytona Duels taking place during the week ahead of The Great American Race.

Additionally, NASCAR announced a bevy of other changes that were discussed at their competition briefing on Tuesday, but none was bigger than their qualifying adjustments. We can’t wait to see how these come into play over the course of the 2024 season.

Regardless, we’re that much closer to the Daytona 500, and the start of another anticipated NASCAR campaign. The end of the offseason is near, and the hype is beginning to rise.