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July
19, 2007
Provisionally
Speaking
By Dennis Michelsen
For many years I was one of those "We don't need
no stinkin' provisionals" kind of guys. The theory
about the fastest guys getting to race every week no matter
what appealed to me! But then I started working on the
inside of the short track-racing world and my eyes were
opened to the usefulness of provisional starting positions.
If they are used in moderation and with restrictions the
use of provisionals can help a series build a car count.
But when they are used week after week as often happens
in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series it is a joke! What ever
happened to limiting the number of provisionals anyone
can use? Provisionally speaking that old idea seems like
it should be in style again!
ASALMS-Provisionals
With Purpose
Last season when the ASA Late Model Series Northern Division
came to town during the Octoberfest race weekend in LaCrosse,
Wisconsin race fans and teams got an education about the
need for provisional starting spots. After supporting
the series all year most of the teams running for the
ASALMS Northern Division title ended up going home in
favor of local drivers. This season series founder Ron
Varney instituted a top ten provisional rule to make sure
that those teams that support the series will have a shot
to start every race. The concept is that if you support
the series I will support you and that makes perfect sense!
But Varney added one extra rule to the mix that made so
much sense. Teams can only use two provisionals per division
each year. This prevents someone from just showing up
and making the show week after week. But it does allow
a safety net for those teams that are running strong and
full season that might just have an off day or an equipment
issue. This sort of plan makes sense…provisionally
speaking.
No
Limits No Performance
NASCAR used to start each team out with eight provisionals
at the beginning of the season and then add more after
certain numbers of races were held. This way a team that
showed up every week had a safety net against the part
time teams that might just show up for the events with
the biggest purses or some of the specialty events such
as road courses. But a team couldn't use a provisional
every week! Eventually they would run out and need to
get in on time or go home on Friday. This brought a common
sense approach to making sure loyal drivers and sponsors
were in the show even if they had an off week. But now
you can take provisional after provisional if you are
in the top thirty-five in points. The only way you lose
this right is if you fall out of the top thirty-five!
This season two of the teams that are eligible for provisionals
going into the next race at the Brickyard have yet to
score a top ten finish in the first nineteen races. Eleven
of the teams that don't have to qualify on time to race
at Indy have yet to post a top five finish through the
first half of the season! Add to that the fact that teams
are coaxing past champions out of retirement to grab that
automatic starting spot and you have a joke on your hands…provisionally
speaking.
Suggesting
a Solution
Don't you just hate it when people moan and groan
about something they don't like but can't suggest a better
way to handle the issue? Well when it comes to provisional
starting positions I have a plan so simple that would
solve every problem that I have discussed while still
keeping the sponsors happy. NASCAR all you have to do
is go back to the old system of limiting provisional starting
spots! Use the top thirty-five rule but only allow each
team to use a certain number of automatic starts each
season. Provisionals should be like mulligans in golf.
You don't get an unlimited supply of mulligans even in
a friendly game of golf with your best friend. But if
you shank one, duck hook one, or duff a chip you get the
lucky do-over. In racing teams deserve that same grace
for a bad day while not rewarding constant mediocrity.
I suggest a limit on provisionals of 30% of the races
held every year. In the NASCAR Nextel Cup series this
would set the number at eleven after we round up. Also
a team would not be allowed to take more than three provisionals
in a row whether that was a top thirty-five or past champ
free pass. One simple rule change would add some sanity
to the sport and reward performance instead of mediocrity…provisionally
speaking!
Thursday on Race
Talk Radio
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