[DG]

Fred your right, nowadays qualifying doesn't mean to much other than to set the ladder and maybe get a bye run. The real question is would our class be more interesting and fun if qualifying did matter more?

The are lots of ways to incentivize qualifying. Here are a few ideas that I have seen tossed around:

1A). Points for qualifying. Minimum 17 qualified cars; same amount for Nationals and Divisionals. cars --> Top 5 qualifiers get 5 points, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point.
17-32 cars --> Top 3 qualifiers get 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point.
33-64 cars --> Top 4 qualifiers get 4 points, 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point.
65-128 cars --> Top 5 qualifiers get 5 points, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point.

1B) Points for setting a record. Maximum 2 records per year. 1st record --> 10 points, 2nd record --> 5 points

1C) Points for Class Eliminations 2 cars in Class --> 10 points
3-4 cars in Class --> 20 points, 10 RU
5-8 cars in Class --> 30 points, 20 RU, 10 Semi
9-16 cars in Class --> 40 points, 30 RU, 20 Semi, 10 C2
17-32 cars in Class--> 50 points, 40 RU, 30 Semi, 20 C3, 10 C2
You can only attain the qualifying and class bonus points at your claimed top 3 nationals and top 5 divisionals. They add to your total for that event. If you are claimed out or they are part of a “low point” event that is not counted then you don’t get those points. Points for setting records are always counted.

2). Higher qualified cars get lane choice. No more coins.

3). Grade Points: Qualifying points with a twist. The twist would be points are awarded to top ten qualifiers (10-1), ten cumulative qualifying points equals one grade point.

4) Top Qualifier award: a low qualifier award at each race for stock and super stock. It could be quite an honor to receive that award. A simple plaque recognizing the #1 qualifier would be enough for a lot of racers.

5) Qualified Fields at National Events: Allow an extra 10 cars over the quota to enter Stock and Superstock at National Events and only the top qualifiers within quota limit run the eliminator.

While many will not agree with incentivizing qualifying, I think a combination of a few of the above ideas could help the AHFS work properly and really appeal to performance oriented competitors.

Flame away, Darin Grossi