What is Past Champion’s Provisional in NASCAR?

Question

Isn't this where a past championship driver doesn't have to race his way in but is guaranteed a spot anyway?? Does this go by owners points? If the team owner isn't in the top 35 in points the driver can get into the race just by being a past champ?

I am two hours from the track and It's raining so hard we are in flood warnings. But maybe...just maybe...not so much at the track..

http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/home/hourbyhour/USNY1528?from=36hr_topnav_home

Answer 1

Here's a jayski article that goes into depth about it.

http://jayski.com/stats/2007/chmpprov200...

Rain? Send some out west, I'm dyin' it's gonna be 98 degrees here today!!!!

Answer 2

NASCAR announced an update to the past champion’s provisional rule in the Nextel Cup Series for 2007. Beginning this season, a past champion’s provisional may be used by an eligible driver a maximum of six times over the course of the season. In addition, a team with a past champion eligible driver may only use this provisional a maximum of six times during a season. Previously, there was no limit on usage of the past champion’s provisional over the course of the 36-race season. The provisional gives the eligible driver the 43rd and final starting position in the race field. "As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed,” said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport.”(NASCAR PR)

This is only for a team/driver OUTSIDE the top-35 in owners points, drivers whose team is in the top-35 in owners points, would already be guaranteed in the field and not need the Past Champions Provisional. The provisional is not used in the event Qualifying is cancelled and not charged.

Answer 3

I was looking at the radar and the track looks like it will be okay today at Watkins Glenn International.

http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/...

http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/...

Sorry about the other part of the question. I'm not prepared to answer that part.

Answer 4

Just to add a little bit to Winter Glory and Dan's answers, the Past Champion's Provisional was created by NASCAR because of Richard Petty near the end of his career when he was having a tough time qualifying for races on speed. Before the Provisional there was a 42-car field. The rule was just meant to guarantee a 43rd and final starting position to the most recent series Champion who did not qualify on speed. At the time the rule was created Richard Petty was still the "face" of NASCAR. Having him miss races because he couldn't qualify any longer was hurting the sport, so they figured out a way to lock him into the show every week.

Answer 5

The Past Champion's Provisional in the simplest of terms is the way by which the most recent past champion of the series gets to enter the race, should he not have the qualifying speed to get him in.

In the past, the past champions provisional was unlimited, meaning that if he needed it throughout the season he was ok. But recently, NASCAR has reduced that number down to 6. Also only the most recent past champion is allowed to use it.

So for example in 2 situations this year:

#2 Kurt Busch 2004 Champion vs #21 Bill Elliott 1988 Champion

Kurt would get it because he was the more recent Champion

#21 Bill Elliott 1988 Champion vs #45 Terry Labonte 1996 Champion

Terry would get it because he was the more recent Champion.

The person that uses it would start 43rd on the field for the given race.

On a side note the layout for the 43 car field is:

1-35 - Top 35 in owner's points (guaranteed starting positions)

36-42 - 7 fastest that are not in the top 35 in owner's points

43 - Past Champion's Provisional