Allstate 400 news tidbits
All cars outside the top 35 in owner's points will attempt to qualify consecutively at the end of the session, facing similar track and weather conditions. The top 35 in Sprint Cup Series owner's points are guaranteed starting spots in every race.
The new procedure provides a more equal opportunity for cars outside the top 35 to qualify and also makes it easier for fans to follow the tense process of which cars earn a coveted starting spot.
In the past, all cars received their position in the qualifying order through a blind draw, and cars outside of the top 35 faced varying track and weather conditions based on their position in the order.
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ESPN/ABC broadcasting final 17 races: ESPN once again will kick off television coverage of the last half of the Sprint Cup schedule with the 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, July 27.
ESPN will broadcast six races, ending with the event Aug. 31 at California Speedway. ABC will broadcast the final 11 races of the season.
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Brickyard champ Jarrett moving to broadcast booth: 1996 and 1999 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard winner Dale Jarrett will join the ESPN NASCAR broadcast team as an analyst this season.
Jarrett will be the race analyst and will be joined in the broadcast booth by Dr. Jerry Punch and Andy Petree for the final 17 races of the Sprint Cup season, including the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 27.
Jarrett, Petree and Punch were all high school classmates at Newton-Conover High School in Newton, N.C.
Former Brickyard standout Rusty Wallace will serve as the lead analyst during ESPN's NASCAR studio programs.