"Live" from Norwalk 2017

[D.Johns]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I know I'm off topic, but this is my observation of qualifying for the XX cars. Everyone has been working on their cars, all but one went A to B with good et's and great MPH in the 160's. It looked like after the first session most went to their laptops to plug in a little more power a few ticks sooner in the run. Second run the air was worse but times were better for some. Tire management is a key element according to the red car.

In my opinion the qualifying show was competitive and fun to watch, but at 9:00 am on Thursday most fans are still making plans to arrive. Very few saw the "XX Show''. The XX cars had all three Q runs in hot lap fashion, not giving them the time to change anything if it breaks between runs. After the run you have to cool engine, cool blower, re-ice after cooler, download run, analyse run, adjust management system, plus a few more items, and charge battery. That's more than a full plate if you don't have a crew of at least three.

It would give the cars better exposure and track prep if the last qualifying session run was made in front of Top Fuel. Just like Top Fuel, XX cars should be a 16 car qualified field and the DNQ's go home. 33% of the XX cars that missed the cut did not race in stock first round. The ones that did race took all the byes on the ladder, and with the comfort of no AHFS application.

Next year the rules need to be changed so this category will be a stand alone eliminator.

I concur