For any given NASCAR Winston Cup Series event, it is unknown just exactly how many cars will enter. But one thing is for sure, only 43 cars will start. NASCAR uses time trials, otherwise known as qualifying, to choose which teams “make the show” and which teams do not. But even before teams can attempt to qualify, a qualifying order must be determined.

Qualifying draw
NASCAR officials use a qualifying draw to determine the qualifying order. The qualifying draw usually takes place the morning of qualifying day. Each team sends their crew chief or a representative to actually draw a number. If there are 50 cars entered in the event, the NASCAR official will put numbers 1 through 51, always one more than there are entries, into a spinning ball. Each team representative will draw one number starting with the crew chief whose owner is highest in the owner point standings. After each team draws, NASCAR officials write down their qualifying order number. When every team has drawn, the qualifying order is set.

Qualifying
In order to qualify for an event, drivers will take one or two timed laps depending on the track. Drivers will receive one warm-up lap before taking the green flag. The driver with the quickest qualifying time will start on the “pole” which is the inside (left side) of the front row.
The one exception to these qualifying procedures is the Daytona 500 which follows a different qualifying method.

Provisionals
If a driver failed to make the race through time trails, a provisional spot provides another chance. Provisional starting positions determine positions 37 through 42. The process for determining provisional entries are as follows:

* Through the first four events of the current NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, provisional starting positions 37 through 42 will be assigned based on the previous year’s final NASCAR Winston Cup Series car owner point standings.

* After the fourth event until the conclusion of the current NASCAR Winston Cup Series season, provisional starting positions 37 through 42 will be based on the current car owner standings.

* Provisional starting positions will be assigned beginning with the highest ranking car owner in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship car owner point standings who did not qualify for positions 1 through 36 and will be assigned in descending order until all provisional spots are filled.

* Each car owner is alloted four (4) provisional starting positions at the start of the season. In addition, car owners will be given one (1) provisional after his/her driver has attempted to qualify for eight events for a maximum season allotment of eight provisional starting positions for the season.

* Each provisional used during the first four events of the current season will not count for car owners who finished in the top 25 of the previous year’s NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship car owner standings. However, those car owners who finished outside of the top 25 of the previous season’s NASCAR winston Cup Series championship car owner standings will be charged for each provisional used during the first four (4) events.

* Each provisional used after the fourth event of the current season will not count for car owners who are in the top 25 of the current NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship car owner standings. However, those car owners who are outside of the top 25 of the current NASCAR Winston Cup Championship car owner standings will be charged for each provisional used after the fourth event.

* The champion provisional is the 43rd and final position that will complete the field for a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event. If after provisional positions 37 through 42 are assigned there remains a car owner whose driver is the current or past NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion who participated as a driver in the previous NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and who was entered in the event for that owner, and in that car, prior to the entry deadline, a 43rd provisional starting position, the champions provisional, will be assigned to that car owner. A former champion may use up to eight champion provisionals during the current season. If there are two former champions remaining, the champion provisional will be awarded to the most recent champion.