It's official - Happy Hour is history:

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NASCAR will implement a post-qualifying impound procedure for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series at the majority of the 36 championship-point races in 2005, NASCAR officials announced today. More than half of the events on the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule will utilize the new procedure that will provide cost-containment benefits to the teams. Following qualifying and the post-qualifying inspection process, the starting field of 43 cars will be impounded by NASCAR officials until race day. During this period, the teams will not be permitted to work on their cars unless for special circumstances and authorized by NASCAR officials.
“We are still in the process of getting more tracks to commit to this procedure,” NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Director John Darby said. “We appreciate the cooperation of our track operators to assist us in delivering cost-saving measures to the team owners.”
Some of the benefits of the new procedure will include reducing the amount of labor by crew members on the cars throughout a race weekend; reducing practice tire consumption and, most importantly, eliminating special qualifying parts, components, oils and set-ups. “Ultimately, all the teams will arrive at the track with a focus on one goal,” Darby said. “That goal will be to have the best possible race set-up, and hopefully that will enhance the overall competitive element throughout the field.”
The new procedure will alter the traditional race weekend schedule. The two 45-minute final practices the day following qualifying – commonly known as “Happy Hour” – will be eliminated.
In many cases for a traditional race weekend (Friday-Sunday), two hours of practice would take place Friday, Bud Pole qualifying on Saturday and then the cars would be impounded immediately following post-qualifying inspection. On doubleheader weekends, Bud Pole qualifying could be followed by a NASCAR Busch Series event, creating a strong single-day package for race fans.(NASCAR PR
 
This should change the battle for the pole significantly. I look for Newman and Kahne to have far fewer poles next year.
 
Great decision by NASCAR, it's good for the teams and the fans!!!
 
good call on nascar's part...now if they could get rid of differentiating points for 35-43rd...
 
Best call NASCAR's made in a long while. Looks like most of the drivers like it too. Atleast the " Expert Panel" all did. LOL
 
i dont think it's going to save money really, the teams will just spend the money in different places than they normally do.

but it seems like a good idea, but can't we still call the 2 hours of practice on friday Happy Hour or hours? i think it fits more on a friday afternoon.
 
DirtyMo1381529 said:
i dont think it's going to save money really, the teams will just spend the money in different places than they normally do.
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Eventually that will probably be true. But for the immediate future it will help level the financial playing field.........it won't fix it entirely but, at least, it won't continue to add to the problems the little guys face each week. And it's one heck of a lot better than that idea about guaranteeing the top 35 a slot no matter what!! :)

And if you think about it it should make for some better racing to watch. I mean someone cranks out a couple of really fast laps and gets up front to start........only to fade quickly because he wasn't really very fast in race trim. Or someone like Matt Kenseth.........p poor qualifier but damned good in races!! I like it a lot...........and I can do without "Happy Hour"!! :D
 
I like it. It would make a great sat. event, but would they have comp. yellow each week on lap 40?
 
Tabasco said:
I like it. It would make a great sat. event, but would they have comp. yellow each week on lap 40?
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Good question. They better not. I've often thought this year when they say they're going to have a comp yellow at lap so & so, they should say "IF" a caution doesn't come out before that. I don't like it when they've had a caution or 2 and then a green flag run going and they throw out the comp caution. That is just plain silly. :confused:
 
I see no need for a competition yellow..........they are already all practiced up in race trim. And that comp yellow was because everyone spent the first practices gearing up for the bonsai runs and had no time to set up for racing. That should not be a problem..........besides, they haven't done in the Busch series and they had a few qualify what you will race races!! :)
 
You all bring up good points, and I must say, that I am glad NASCAR has made this decision. Crews get a little rest before the race, but I still would like to see a qualification and race in the same day.
 
WideOpenPhoto said:
You all bring up good points, and I must say, that I am glad NASCAR has made this decision. Crews get a little rest before the race, but I still would like to see a qualification and race in the same day.
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The Trucks do it several times a year. The Busch cars do it a couple of times a year.

It seems to work well for those guys. I'd really like to see a couple of 1-day shows as a way to expand the schedule. Of course, I'd like to see a west coast swing with those one day shows, but I've always been a little crazy.
 
TonyB said:
The Trucks do it several times a year. The Busch cars do it a couple of times a year.

It seems to work well for those guys. I'd really like to see a couple of 1-day shows as a way to expand the schedule. Of course, I'd like to see a west coast swing with those one day shows, but I've always been a little crazy.
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Guess you are in good company with many on that bus TB. :growl:
 
Well, it's not completely history.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR will implement a post-qualifying impound procedure for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series at the majority of the 36 championship-point races in 2005, NASCAR officials announced today.

More than half of the events on the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule will utilize the new procedure that will provide cost-containment benefits to the teams. Following qualifying and the post-qualifying inspection process, the starting field of 43 cars will be impounded by NASCAR officials until race day. During this period, the teams will not be permitted to work on their cars unless for special circumstances and authorized by NASCAR officials.

"We are still in the process of getting more tracks to commit to this procedure," NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Director John Darby said. "We appreciate the cooperation of our track operators to assist us in delivering cost-saving measures to the team owners."
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Click here for complete article
 
As I said on another forum I really like the new system b/c it may level the playing field for the smaller/low budget teams. I also like the "race what ya brung" attitude; should make for some great racing.
 
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