DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 13 (UPI) -- NASCAR officials announced a change Thursday in how drivers will qualify for races in the Nextel Cup series.
The top 35 drivers in the points standings will be assured a spot in the field with the next seven positions going to the fastest qualifying speeds among those who are not in the top 35.
The 43rd and final spot will go to either the eighth fastest qualifier outside the top 35 or a former Nextel Cup champion who did not qualify.
Previously, NASCAR used a system in which the top drivers, if they failed to make it into the field, could use one of their "provisional" qualifiers to enter the race. But a driver had a limited number of provisionals and when he used them up, he had to qualify in the normal manner.
The top 35 from last year's points standings will be certain to compete in the first five races this year. The 2005 points list will be used for qualifying beginning with the sixth race, which will be in Martinsville, Va.
