Bill France Jr. No Rainbow Warriors, but the return of Ray Evernham and Dodge. No Darrell Waltrip on the track, but plenty of D.W. in the booth. One change to be implemented under Helton's watch is one-day qualifying. Starting this season, drivers will only get one chance to qualify for race spots. Helton said there was little meaningful activity by drivers hoping to make the field in second-day qualifying.
Most cars qualify on speed or provisional spots based on car-owner points.
That's going to be kind of exciting. Now, says one prominent figure, the trick will be gaining star power on the national level. Oft-outspoken driver Jimmy Spencer says he wants to see more drivers express their opinions. They're all cookie-cutter mold. And I think a lot of the drivers are trying to be politicians, and I don't think that's right.