The “New” Top 35

Grousing about the “top 35” qualifying rule will go on as long at the rule exists. I have trouble sorting out my thoughts with regard to how NASCAR chooses to set this up, and will therefore refrain form theorizing, but it is very interesting to watch the faces change. Martinsville was the last race in which 2007 owner points were used to determine what teams are guaranteed spots, and what teams will have to race their way into the upcoming races.

Safe for the time being are Kurt Busch (congrats for un-screwing yourself and boo to your team owner for that), Brian Vickers, and all three Michael Waltrip Racing teams. (Waltrip, Reutimann, and Michael McDowell)

Among the newly designated “go or go home” names that you will immediately recognize are Jamie McMurry, Dave Blaney, Dario Franchitti, Regan Smith, Kyle Petty, Joe Nemechek, Ken Schrader, A.J. Allmendinger, Mike Skinner, John Andretti, Bill Elliott, and Patrick Carpentier. These guys now have to qualify and hope to race their way into both the field and the top 35.

What has always been amazing to me is that in this qualifying game, you live or die by fractions of a second. It doesn’t mean that a “go home” guy would be slow or uncompetitive, or not have a chance to win the race. We probably miss a hell of a lot of good racing by sending these guys home. I wish there was room for more cars so that all driver, teams and sponsors that want to race could do so, but it is what it is!!