Where you qualify is very important

[Mike Schwartz]

There were 20 qualifiers in SS at Denver. The ladder NHRA uses in this situation is here: http://nhraracer.com/ladders/Ladders...Submit1=Submit.

We see that:

Qualifiers 1,6,11,16 have the following sequence to win the eliminator:

• Win,Win,Bye,Win,Win

Qualifiers 2,4,7,9,12,14,17,19 have the following sequence to win the eliminator:

• Win,Win,Win,Bye,Win

Qualifiers 3,5,8,10,13,15,18,20 have the following sequence to win the eliminator:

• Win,Win,Win,Win,Win

Do you recognize which are the "qualifying positions of death"? Which qualifying group would you want to be in to have the best chance of winning the eliminator? Is it fair that under this system just as many bottom half qualifiers have a chance at a bye as top half qualifiers?

In a 20 car field, 12 drivers can take the eliminator with four wins, and eight would need five. There is a way to modify the current ladder that would ensure that the eight bottom qualifiers are the ones that need to win five times.

[BobOrme]

Originally Posted by Mike Schwartz

There were 20 qualifiers in SS at Denver. The ladder NHRA uses in this situation is here: http://nhraracer.com/ladders/Ladders...Submit1=Submit.

We see that:

Qualifiers 1,6,11,16 have the following sequence to win the eliminator:

• Win,Win,Bye,Win,Win

Qualifiers 2,4,7,9,12,14,17,19 have the following sequence to win the eliminator:

• Win,Win,Win,Bye,Win

Qualifiers 3,5,8,10,13,15,18,20 have the following sequence to win the eliminator:

• Win,Win,Win,Win,Win

Do you recognize which are the "qualifying positions of death"? Which qualifying group would you want to be in to have the best chance of winning the eliminator? Is it fair that under this system just as many bottom half qualifiers have a chance at a bye as top half qualifiers?

In a 20 car field, 12 drivers can take the eliminator with four wins, and eight would need five. There is a way to modify the current ladder that would ensure that the eight bottom qualifiers are the ones that need to win five times.

What is that way? How can you do that? Please be specific. I know of no way to do that without seeding drivers instead of relying on actual qualifying numbers. And if seeding drivers is a solution to what some perceive as a problem, why run qualifying at all?

[Mike Taylor 3601]

My theory is if it's your day it's your day
Mike Taylor 3601

[5919 SSKA]

You could say that about ANY Stock or Super Stock race for the most part....there is always an easier path...........and a reason so many of the consistent Winners work the ladder.

[Sean Marconette]

So because someone qualifies at the top of the pack they should get a free round? Not all combinations set the world on fire. The last time I checked, until the pairings go from an odd number of cars to an even number there has to be a bye run. I guess I do not get this thought process, unless a person is always at the top of the pack and thinks its unfair to have to make more elimination runs compared to a lower qualified car. Play the ladder if you can. It must not work too bad for the touring guys, I'm sure if they wanted to be a top 5 or 10 qualifier they would do so, it just does not pay as well.

Sean

[5919 SSKA]

Mr. Cunningham sells a really nice ladder book, which can help you pretty quickly figure out where the 'sweet spots' are on any Sportsman ladder. It's a handy little tool IMO.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

My theory is if it's your day it's your day
Mike Taylor 3601

I agree.