[thomas sheehan]

I've been thinking about this... let the tops 3-5 guys fight it out for number 1 bye run. Everybody else that can run -.85 or better would be smart to avoid the -.85 threshold, (so the mineshaft never comes into play). Why give those fast guys a "free pass". Keep your car under the -.85 and let the AFHS work. Some need to slow or speed up to avoid or get a headsup (I understand that). But otherwise, there is no good reason to go -.85.... Look at stock this weekend - qualifiers #29, #30, #31 all went -.87 (which made it a mineshaft situation).
Did you ever see the games played by numerous cars that don't want to run -1.00. It should be just as rampant to avoid the -.85 at any race where great weather applies... use your head and maybe these fast cars won't get a free ride.