The Daytona 500 qualifying event gets underway on Sunday afternoon, with a handful of changes. (Getty)
Things are going to be a little bit different at Daytona this year.
The annual race is facing a handful of changes in 2016, including a brand-new approach to the qualifying procedures. In other words, you’re going to want to tune in to this one.
So, how will everything break down and when exactly is the Daytona 500 qualifying race? We’ve got all the answer right here. Read on for all the details on Sunday’s event:
Date: Sunday, February 12, 2016
Time: 1:15 p.m. ET
Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
TV Channel: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Game Preview: Things are changing in Daytona.
Thanks to the advent of the Charter System, NASCAR announced brand-new changes to the qualifying procedures for the Daytona 500.
This year, all 36 Charter teams will be guaranteed a starting position and the final four slots will go to non-Charter teams, which NASCAR is now referring to as “Open teams.” Four Open teams will make the Daytona 500 field.
In addition, the highest finishing Open team in each Can-Am Duel race will also earn a starting position. Pole qualifying will determine the remaining two “open spots” and qualifying will determine the front row for the Daytona 500.
The changes came, in part, as a result of two chaotic races at Daytona last season. The biggest issue last season, of course, was the use of a new knockout group qualifying format that eventually digressed into a bit of a mess as teams tried schemes to exploit drive sessions. “It’s idiotic to be out here doing this anyway. There’s no sense in trying to put on some cute show for whatever the hell this is,” driver Clint Bowyer said of the system.
NASCAR also implemented several other weather-related provisions and announced that owner points will determine the four open qualifiers if practice and qualifying are cancelled due to the weather.
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