Can anyone verify for me exactly when and where NASCAR first announced and/or implemented the Champion's Provisional rule? I'm led to believe it was sometime in 1992 but am looking for more concrete documentation.
NASCAR Winston Cup Champion's Provisional
Started by
theunions
, Jul 21 2004 19:00
8 replies to this topic
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#2
Don Capps
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Posted 21 July 2004 - 19:43
I thought it was more like 1990, in the aftermath of the nonqualification of Richard Petty at wherever it was in 1989. I will see what I can find later today.
However, long before the current system came into effect, most of the individual promoters had the option to include drivers in the field. At about the time R.J. Reynolds got into the act in 1971, NASCAR tightened the screws a bit on the promoters so that they were much more in synch than they had been.
However, long before the current system came into effect, most of the individual promoters had the option to include drivers in the field. At about the time R.J. Reynolds got into the act in 1971, NASCAR tightened the screws a bit on the promoters so that they were much more in synch than they had been.
#3
theunions
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Posted 21 July 2004 - 20:09
A friend on TrackForum found the answer via NASCAR's own mouthpiece:
43-car field a product of slow change: May 8, 2002
BTW...this research effort was so I could debunk the following passage from Darrell Waltrip's autobiography DW , page 244-45:
43-car field a product of slow change: May 8, 2002
BTW...this research effort was so I could debunk the following passage from Darrell Waltrip's autobiography DW , page 244-45:
We really struggled with qualifying (in 1996)...but Bill France Jr. created the champion's provisional for me.
He tried to think of something since Richard Petty started missing races at the end of his career...
I called France Jr. and said, "You have to help me here...this is my money, my deal, and it will ruin me if I don't make a race. What if I miss the Daytona 500?...
"I am working without a net," I argued, "and we need to figure a way to develop an exemption. I can't afford to lose their support, and NASCAR can't afford to lose them. There has to be a way around what happened to Petty."
That's when France came up with the idea for the champion's provisional. If you were a former champion, NASCAR would hold a spot for you at the back of the starting field.
So Richard's misfortune helped me, and luckily NASCAR saw the merits to my thinking...
#4
Don Capps
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Posted 22 July 2004 - 00:42
The provision system in place actually dates to some point in the 1980s. When Richard Petty failed to qualify at Richmond in March 1989, there were two provisionals in addition to the 32 qualifiers. At any rate, I will sniff around in smoe of my other stuff since I think that ol' DW is referring to the changes in how the past champion's provision was allocated, not its establishment.
#5
theunions
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Posted 22 July 2004 - 06:07
Originally posted by Don Capps
I think that ol' DW is referring to the changes in how the past champion's provision was allocated, not its establishment.
That's not the impression I got, given his use of the word "created."
#6
Jim Thurman
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Posted 22 July 2004 - 09:25
I guess it's all resolved now, but I was going to say 1991...
Nice to know something can still be recalled correctly, rattle around up there and fall out when needed
Nice to know something can still be recalled correctly, rattle around up there and fall out when needed
#7
Don Capps
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Posted 22 July 2004 - 12:00
I didn't get the opportunity to check very much last night, but I will look around some more in what I have on hand. The problem is that will there certainly was a change in how the provisionals were allocated in 1996, of which ol' DW was a direct beneficiary, there had been a place in the way the provisions were assigned that the past champion did play a role.
I never cease to be amazed at how answering something that should be relatively simple rarely is that simple. Naturally, I doubt much attention has ever been devoted to a study of the provisonal system and how it has evolved over the years. Maybe I need to check with Greg Fielden or Jayski or someone like that.
I never cease to be amazed at how answering something that should be relatively simple rarely is that simple. Naturally, I doubt much attention has ever been devoted to a study of the provisonal system and how it has evolved over the years. Maybe I need to check with Greg Fielden or Jayski or someone like that.
#8
Megatron
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Posted 22 July 2004 - 12:41
The roots were planted when Richard Petty DNQ'd at Richmond in 1989. THere was a big fuss about it not only from his fans but from some of the other drivers who wanted Richard in. Richard might ahve ran at the back, but Richard was still Richard and everyoen wanted him at the show.
#9
Don Capps
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Posted 22 July 2004 - 13:00
The roots were planted when Richard Petty DNQ'd at Richmond in 1989. THere was a big fuss about it not only from his fans but from some of the other drivers who wanted Richard in. Richard might ahve ran at the back, but Richard was still Richard and everyoen wanted him at the show.
A part of the problem at Richmond was that Petty had wrecked on Friday and missed any chance at being ready for the second qualifying session on Saturday. When it was apparent that he was not going to make the cut, Petty left the track on Saturday afternoon to return home.
