NASCAR Qualifying question?

Question

I have a question about qualifying in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. I understand places are set by time under normal circumstances. I also understand some spots may be set by owner points and a spot is reserved for a past champion. My question is this: if there are two or more past champions attempting to enter a race and none of them have the times needed to qualify on time, how is it decided which past champion will get the provisional?

Answer 1

the latest past champion

Answer 2

Yep, most recent.

that's why Terry Labonte got the "provisional" instead of Elliott, when Yeley beat out Elliott's time in qualifying.

Answer 3

It's the most recent champion that gets the championships provisional.