Some NASCAR drivers embrace the bold rule changes; Others absolutely despise it Well, that qualifying session at LVMS was something special! The new NASCAR rules package brought mind games and drafting to qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was exciting to watch and it was completely unpredictable. What caused the wild qualifying run at Las Vegas? NASCAR has brought a new rules package to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. In addition to everything we saw last week in Atlanta. Now, the cars are also fitted with aero ducts. In the opening round of NASCAR Cup Series practice, teams discovered mid-way through the session that it was faster to run in a pack. That’s a stark contrast to years past. Previously, two cars would of course go faster in a straight line. But, as soon as they touched the corners, clean air was required for any kind of lap time. In Las Vegas Motor Speedway qualifying on Friday, clean air was a heavy disadvantage. Drivers needed to be in the draft to have any shot at the pole. As a result, we saw hectic group qualifying runs. Nobody wanted to go out first. They sat at the end of pit road and waited out the clock. Until it was almost too late, then they all hit the track, at the same time. Kyle Larson Qualified: 7th “Yeah, we did it in Xfinity until we started crashing. Then, NASCAR made it single car qualifying at a lot of those tracks,” Kyle Larson told Matt Weaver. “It is definitely crazy. Just leaving pit road is intense. Me and Harvick were close to squeezing each other and getting damage.” “That was wild. But, we’ll do whatever they tell us to do.” “That’s why trucks single qualifying, everywhere it seems. Cause they had crashes.” Several passes were made at high speeds during the final run of qualifying. Drivers were racing to be in the right position, in qualifying. “There’s definitely going to be moments where teams are going to backup cars,” Larson concluded. Toyota Camry aero ducts – Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (Photo: Torey Fox | NASCAR Digital Media) Kyle Busch Qualified: 3rd “Whatever the fans like. That’s what it’s all about, I guess,” Kyle Busch said. “It’s just interesting, it’s not about the fastest car. It’s about putting yourself in position. About having a little luck on your side to get to the start finish line before the time runs out.” “It’s stressful and not as easy as it would be if we were all by ourselves. But, that’s what we’re doing,” Kyle Busch concluded. Chase Elliott Qualified: 12th “I felt like it was entertaining. So, hopefully it was to watch,” Chase Elliot stated. “It was fun. We played some of those games in the Xfinity Series. I watched the truck guys do it often before they changed the rules.” “I think it’s fun. Hey, if it’s more entertain than us running around there by ourselves, then so be it.” Ryan Newman Qualifying: 29th “We just didn’t get things lined up right because you shouldn’t have to line up things to qualify,” Ryan Newman told Bob Pockrass. “I mean, that’s the direction our sport has gone. But, I just don’t believe in it at this point.” “I always loved qualifying, single car. Going out, doing your own thing and racing the race track. That was qualifying.” “That’s the way every other series does it across the United States, to my knowledge. I’m just not a fan of it.” “You got manufactures manipulating manufactures and eams manipulating teams. That’s not the way qualifying is suppose to be.” Kevin Harvick at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Photo: Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images) Kevin Harvick Qualifying: 1st Kevin Harvick was the second to last car to cross the start finish line in his round three run. He made it to the line by 0.828 seconds. Less than a second later and the qualifying time wouldn’t have counted. “It may not be the fastest car that gets the pole today. It’s going to come down to timing,” Kevin Harvick said in the media center after claiming the pole position. “Our team has made a decision to really focus on exactly what we need with our car and what we think we need to make it go fast.” “Whatever the rules wind up being, we’re going to try to be the best team. I think that’s going to be the healthiest mindset for myself and the race team going forward.” “Whatever the rules are, we’re not going to complain about them. We just want to win.” Las Vegas Motor Speedway Qualifying Highlight Video More Las Vegas Motor Speedway Starting Lineup NASCAR TV Schedule: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Links Kyle Busch | Kyle Larson | Chase Elliott | Ryan Newman | Kevin Harvick | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | NASCAR<doc-sep>The NASCAR Cup Series is rolling out its new 2019 rules package this week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the first qualifying session of the year with the new setup delivered one of the wildest – and most polarizing – qualifying sessions ever. NASCAR has uses a group qualifying format – similar to Formula 1 qualifying – since 2014. With cars running both tapered spacers and aero ducts in place, part of an aero package designed to create more side-by-side racing, and emphasize drafting, drivers were required to rely on the benefits of the draft moreso than the raw power of their cars. The result was a qualifying session that resembled a frantic two-lap race. Bowman and Elliott were FAST, but their laps didn't count. Retweet to congratulate Kevin Harvick on his NASCAR Cup Series POLE in Vegas! pic.twitter.com/UjJDBreHhL — FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2019 In the final round of qualifying, which lasts five minutes, the cars remaining waited on pit road with their engines off until 90 seconds remained session, then rushed off pit road to set a time. With no one willing to be the first car off – which is a severe disadvantage due to the draft – the jockeying for position off pit road left commentator Darrell Waltrip joking that the field was likely to crash before getting on the track. Craziness on pit road to make moves for the #BuschPole. pic.twitter.com/KRCnprPQt8 — NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 2, 2019 Aside from what seems to be an increased risk of an accident happening, the current state of qualifying doesn’t actually reward the fastest cars – something many drivers pointed out after climbing from their cars. The car leading the pack has virtually no chance to post a top speed, and the race for the pole comes down to which car leaves pit road at the perfect time and gets the most help from whichever car is in front. Kevin Harvick won the pole position for Sunday’s race. Ryan Blaney, who failed to advance from Q2, blasted qualifying in an interview on FS1. “I used to have fun on Fridays, and that wasn’t very fun.” Drivers had mixed reactions at the track and on social media. Kyle Busch says he doesn't like it and it's not fun. "Whatever the fans want, I guess." pic.twitter.com/M7wBLYgOcA — Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) March 2, 2019 Single-car or group qualifying? Ryan Newman wants a return to single-car qualifying: pic.twitter.com/kBgBGKByws — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 2, 2019 Well, @nascar related twitter will be fun tonight but I gotta say, I enjoyed watching that qualifying. — Regan Smith (@ReganSmith) March 2, 2019 Dibenedetto says "It's interesting. That's the word. Interesting." Is it fun. "No," he says with a laugh. He says it's hard to decide which car to follow to get a draft, especially when cars are slowing the peel off in 3 and 4. "I hope it's fun for the fans." pic.twitter.com/FDwGEGtmMO — Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) March 2, 2019 All 24 at once! This is awesome @monsterenergy @Nascar Cup quals! Turn on @fs1 — Michael Waltrip (@MW55) March 2, 2019 Just missed the ole train by a little bit. Hey it’s 13 spots better than where we qualified last week. Headed the right way. — Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) March 2, 2019 I think what’s frustrating is that this lineup will be set by luck for the most part, not who’s the fastest. If it’s fun to watch though, who cares eh? But yeah, without a doubt the final lineup won’t be an indicator of who’s fast and who’s not. — Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) March 2, 2019 From a TV perspective, Las Vegas qualifying was far more chaotic than any qualifying has been in the past, which some fans enjoyed. Everyone will judge based on what we saw today but all the teams will get better at this as we go along this season. Qualifying was a lot more exciting than ever before that’s for sure — Ryan Andrade (@Ku_Bball_Fan) March 2, 2019 Other fans are already calling for NASCAR to scrap the format. This qualifying session and this aero package is such a joke. WTG, NASCAR 👏👏👏 #circusact #joke — Jake Heller (@jtheller2) March 2, 2019 Somebody's going to wreck 10 other cars in qualifying one of these weeks like Daytona 2015. Everybody will regret group qualifying with this new aero package. #NASCAR — NASCAR Guy (@MegaDriver86) March 2, 2019 Single car qualifying again, please. Sure, this is “entertaining”, but it’s going to turn into a real cluster #nascar — Brian on Racing (@brian_wiggins) March 2, 2019<doc-sep>NASCAR practice results from Las Vegas Motor Speedway Today, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series takes to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first practice session of the weekend. It’s pre-qualifying practice in Las Vegas, Nevada. View full 2019 Las Vegas practice results below. Las Vegas Motor Speedway Menu: MENCS TV | Odds | Prac 1 | Qual | Prac 2 | Prac 3 | Averages | Race Toyota Camry aero ducts – Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (Photo: Torey Fox | NASCAR Digital Media) Las Vegas Practice – Report Duration: 50 minutes 20 minutes in, most teams are making single car runs. This is the only practice session ahead of qualifying later tonight. Currently, Austin Dillon leads with a 30.036. 30 minutes in, Joe Gibbs Racing cars are on the track at once. Erik Jones, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr are lined up nose to tail. This is drafting practice. All four cars jumped into the top 8 on the board. 35 minutes in, another group of cars hit the track. Each of them turn quicker laps than they had prior via a single car run. This means qualifying later today is going to be very interesting. It’s going to require a group of cars to advance between rounds and grab the pole. 10 minutes remain, the entire Stewart-Haas Racing fleet hits the track at once. Almirola jumps inside the top five. They went by Jimmie Johnson like he was standing still. The Stewart-Haas Racing cars stuggled with the balance of their machines. They couldn’t stay in line as cars lost balance. For qualifying, the track should be a little cooler as the sun will start to set. Some shadows will be on the track which will increase the grip levels. 4 minutes remain, the Hendrick Motorsports cars have yet to make any group runs. Chase Elliott just jumped into the top five but he caught the draft of a Toyota group. 3 minutes, a new single-file group has formed. They run high on the get up to speed lap. On the money lap, they all drop to the bottom in sync. 2 minutes, Team Penske is on track together. All three cars run faster than previous runs. Austin Dillon wins Las Vegas practice! Qualifying will be good! View Las Vegas Motor Speedway practice times below. Las Vegas Practice Results NASCAR Cup Series March 1, 2019 Pos | Driver | Fastest Time 1. Austin Dillon 29.951 2. Daniel Hemric 29.987 3. Denny Hamlin 29.995 4. Chase Elliott 30.030 5. William Byron 30.047 6. Aric Almirola 30.088 7. Kyle Busch 30.104 8. Bubba Wallace 30.155 9. Clint Bowyer 30.163 10. Chris Buescher 30.163 11. Matt DiBenedetto 30.165 12. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 30.219 13. Ryan Preece 30.222 14. Erik Jones 30.224 15. Kevin Harvick 30.226 16. Martin Truex Jr 30.231 17. Ryan Blaney 30.235 18. Jimmie Johnson 30.249 19. Alex Bowman 30.287 20. Ty Dillon 30.290 21. Daniel Suarez 30.296 22. Brad Keselowski 30.304 23. Kurt Busch 30.313 24. Michael McDowell 30.324 25. Paul Menard 30.331 26. Kyle Larson 30.331 27. Joey Logano 30.387 28. Ryan Newman 30.402 29. Parker Kligerman 30.451 30. Corey LaJoie 30.537 31. David Ragan 30.631 32. Matt Tifft 30.747 33. Landon Cassill 30.770 34. Ross Chastain 31.132 35. Cody Ware 31.320 36. BJ McLeod 31.463 37. Reed Sorenson 31.757 38. Joey Gase 32.318 More NASCAR TV Schedule: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas NASCAR Test Results: Jan 31-Feb 1, 2019 LVMS Race Results: September 16, 2018 Links Las Vegas Motor Speedway | NASCAR<doc-sep>The second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has been canceled due to inclement weather. Officials put the session on hold roughly 20 minutes prior to the start of practice, which was slated to run from 11:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. ET. NASCAR elected to cancel the session several minutes later. With persistent wet conditions in the area, NASCAR also canceled Xfinity Series qualifying (slated to begin at 12:40 p.m. ET). The lineup will be set by the rule book. Final Monster Energy Series practice will begin when the track is deemed ready and will continue until 3:30 p.m. ET. MORE: Full Las Vegas schedule<doc-sep>
NASCAR qualifying results from Las Vegas Motor Speedway Tonight, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will set the starting grid for Las Vegas Motor Speedway. View the full 2019 Las Vegas starting lineup below. Las Vegas Motor Speedway Menu: MENCS TV | Odds | Prac 1 | Qual | Prac 2 | Prac 3 | Averages | Race Drafting in qualifying? Teams ran simulation runs in groups in the practice session earlier today. They’re drafting at a 1.5-mile track! It’s going to be the most unique qualifying session to date for the NASCAR Cup Series. Las Vegas Qualifying Round 1 – Report 10 minutes: Top 24 advance The green drops and everyone heads for the race track at the same time! Larson is quickest early in round 1. He caught the draft from DiBenedetto. Larson just barely rubbed the wall off turn four. No problem, he still sits at the top. Most of the field is out there in groups of two, three or four. Others are doing it on their own. 4 minutes remain, Austin Dillon sits at the top of the board. He ran that lap, by himself. Austin Dillon wins round one of knockout qualifying at LVMS! Las Vegas Qualifying Results – Round 1: 1. Austin Dillon (30.006); 2. Kyle Larson (30.030); 3. Ricky Stenhouse (30.048); 4. Joey Logano 30.073); 5. Daniel Hemric (30.076); 6. Ryan Blaney (30.078); 7. Alex Bowman (30.080); 8. Denny Hamlin (30.083); 9. Erik Jones (30.100); 10. Ty Dillon (30.123); 11. Ryan Preece (30.124); 12. Michael McDowell (30.126); Las Vegas Qualifying Round 2 – Report 10 minutes: Top 12 advance Green on round two, again most of the field heads for the track. 20 of 24 cars are in the initial group. Kevin Harvick sits at the top in round two thus far. 2 minutes remain in round two, cars have pulled to the edge of pit road in a group. Nobody wants to be the first car out. They’re playing mind games. 1 minutes remains, they’ve turned them loose! Everyone is out at once. Bowyer is passing cars on pit lane. A matter of seconds can make or break you. Round 2️⃣ of #BuschPole Qualifying with some changes in the final laps. pic.twitter.com/B5RMikamPv — NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 2, 2019 William Byron was the first car to the track. He ended up on the bottom of the times sheet. Harvick wins round two! Las Vegas Qualifying Results – Round 2: 1. Kevin Harvick (29.814); 2. Austin Dillon (29.816); 3. Kyle Larson (29.929); 4. Alex Bowman (29.985); 5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr (29.992); 6. Kyle Busch (30.001); 7. Jimmie Johnson (30.003); 8. David Ragan (30.003); 9. Chase Elliott (30.008); 10. Denny Hamlin; 11. Joey Logano; 12. Daniel Hemric; Las Vegas Qualifying Round 3 – Report 5 minutes: Run for pole The green is out and nobody is on track. They’ve all pulled to the end of the pit lane. 4 minutes remain, they still wait! 2 and a half minutes, the engines have been shut off as they wait on pit lane. 1 minutes remains, they’re four wide off the pit lane! Austin Dillon is passing on his qualifying lap! Alex Bowman turned the quickest lap. However, that time has been disallowed as he did not make it to the starting line in time to start his lap. Alex Bowman says the clock in his car said he made it to the green before 0:00 and he says the TV says the same. However, NASCAR has ruled that he didn’t make it. Kevin Harvick takes the pole at Las Vegas Motor Speedway! View the full Las Vegas Motor Speedway starting lineup below. Las Vegas Starting Lineup NASCAR Cup Series March 1, 2019 Pos | Driver | Time 1. Kevin Harvick 29.914 2. Denny Hamlin 29.924 3. Kyle Busch 30.049 4. Austin Dillon 30.082 5. Daniel Hemric 30.087 6. David Ragan 30.092 7. Kyle Larson 30.131 8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 30.234 9. Jimmie Johnson 30.255 10. Joey Logano 30.356 11. Alex Bowman 30.504 12. Chase Elliott 30.533 13. Ryan Blaney 30.055 14. Ty Dillon 30.061 15. Paul Menard 30.071 16. Michael McDowell 30.082 17. Clint Bowyer 30.096 18. Erik Jones 30.101 19. Brad Keselowski 30.132 20. William Byron 30.163 21. Bubba Wallace 30.168 22. Daniel Suarez 30.169 23. Martin Truex Jr 30.174 24. Ryan Preece 30.344 25. Aric Almirola 30.283 26. Matt DiBenedetto 30.296 27. Chris Buescher 30.300 28. Kurt Busch 30.310 29. Ryan Newman 30.329 30. Corey laJoie 30.458 31. Landon Cassill 30.626 32.