Pomono qualifying

[Tet]

From the results pages on the NHRA site, it looks like they're only listing the top 12 cars as having qualified in the pro classes at Pomona, even though there are more than 16 entrants in each class. Yet if you look at the ladders, they have the full 16 car field that you'd expect. What's all that about, then? Anyone know?

[Tet]

That was pretty much my thought. I just can't see who this new system is meant to benefit. It doesn't affect the frontrunners. I can't see how it improves things for spectators. All I can see it doing is mixing up the bottom half of the field, for no apparent gain.

[Tet]

ian feltell said:

it giving everyone a chance to get on the ladder i guess..my 2p worth.

Under the old system, you had 4 perfectly good attempts to get on the ladder. Now, if you're outside the top 12, you only get 2 shots on the last day, as your first two attempts are wiped out, even when they're quicker than the bump spot.

Edited by Tet on Saturday 9th February 22:04

[Tet]

Bob Jarrett said:

Then by chance some of the cars that would not normally qualify get to race on Sunday.

But why should cars that normally qualify be given an artificial advantage like that? If they can't get into the field in 4 sessions of qualifying, do they deserve to be there come race day? Surely if one of the lesser teams has pulled a rabbit out of the hat and say run a couple of PBs in early qualifying, that should be rewarded with a slot on the ladder. What's the point of the lesser teams entering at all if they don't stand a chance of getting into the field? They only had a small chance to start with, and it just seems like the NHRA are making it even harder for them. Rain? That affects everyone equally.

Now at the same time, there is some merit to the idea when the championship is at stake. I would be more understanding if this rule was brought in at the time the countdown to four starts. But at the start of the season? I just don't see it.