Noob--- Explain this to me
 

I've only ever bracket raced..

Please explain to me the process at the track for class cars..

How we qualify, how we get in the show.. how we do class eliminations and what it means when you win the class..etc....

I'm a noob to class racing.. but since it's on my bucket list I'm gonna try it..

It will be neat to race against Steve Polhill and that pesky Escort since I haven't done that since I was track champion in 1997 at St. Thomas.. ( I have pics of a few races). This time I want to race in a class race.

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

You qualify against the index for your class. National events have 128 car fields in Stock and Super Stock, but Indy is the only race where 128 cars or more attempt to qualify. Therefore, at all National events except Indy, you are qualifying for position only.
Eliminations are run on a Sportsman ladder where the top half of the field runs the bottom half; as an example, in a 64 car field; #1 runs #33, #2 runs #34, #3 runs #35, all the way to #32 runs #64.
Eliminations are run using a dial, just as in bracket racing. You must dial your index or lower. If you run quicker than your dial, it is a breakout and you are eliminated.
Class eliminations are run heads up, first car to the finish line wins. You are only running against cars in your class; as an example, a car in A/S only runs against other cars in A/S, a car in A/SA only runs against other cars in A/SA.
Class winners receive trophies, commonly called "Wallys"; named after Wally Parks, the founder of the NHRA.
I hope that this helps; if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

OK.. that helps.. when do you run class eliminations? Right after everyone has qualified?

Can you be a class winner and still not make the field for Eliminations?

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

Class eliminations are usually run on the first day of an event as part of qualifying. The first round of class elims. counts as a qualifying run. In the case of a 3 day event (Fri.-Sun.), class elims. are run on Fri.; at a 4 day event (Thurs.-Sun.), they are run on Thurs. Indy is a 6 day event (Weds.-Mon.), so Stock class elims are on Thurs., and Super Stock class elims are on Fri.
Winning class has nothing to do with qualifying for final elims. Even at Indy, qualifying is strictly against the index. It used to be class winners and low qualifiers against the index would make up the qualified field for final elims., but the NHRA changed it a few years ago.

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

Good info.. I wouldn't be trying any of the large events anytime soon... I need to get my some seat and dial in time first..

Sounds like Stock doesn't get much prime time for the crowds...

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

When your at the track, ask where & when for fuel check & scales.

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

How do they do the fuel check.. at the tank or engine?

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

They'll give you a cup and you fill it. Doesn't matter from where. You will have to run divisional events to earn grade points before you can enter a national event. Class run offs are only held at selected national events (you can check on NHRA website to see which ones).

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

My doctor has told me that.. LOL

Re: Noob--- Explain this to me
 

Bob Don, what do you mean by doesn't matter from where? The rulebook specifies that we have have to have a fuel sample valve under the hood. Taking it out of tank is a definite no no.