by Sophia Tesch

Created on: March 02, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

There is nothing like it on a Sunday afternoon. Gentlemen start your engines! And the roar of 43 well tuned engines burst to life. Have you ever stopped to wonder why 43? It wasn't always that way. The Richmond 500 in 1975 only had 22 cars race, as a matter of fact before the mid 1990's there wasn't a standardized number for the amount of cars in a race. The field was determined by track size, amount of pit boxes and garage space and some tracks had over 50 cars in a race.

The field began to progressively change. In the late 90's NASCAR made a decision which stands today. The 1-38 spots are determined by time trials. Cars that hold the 39-42nd spot are determined by owner's provisional which are determined by several factors. The owner's provisional's are determined by past season wins, current season standings and the winning of past champions on their teams. Using a Champion's Provisional a driver could be in the 43rd spot even if they had not qualified by speed and his car was not one of the top 35 in owner's points. The final spot ironically the number 43, Richard Petty's number when he was racing is given to the Past Champion Provisional. It is rumored that this position was created because Richard Petty wasn't qualifying for races on speed alone anymore. Richard Petty an icon of NASCAR racing remains a big name in the sport today and his name sells tickets. NASCAR found itself in a dilemma when Richard wasn't qualifying but fans were buying tickets to see him so NASCAR created the Past Champion Provisional, where a past champion could be put in that final 43rd spot. The only race that the owner's provisionals are not used is the Daytona 500. For that race two qualifying races are used to determine who will race.

Today more than ever before there are more drivers and teams racing for their shot in what is now called the Sprint Cup Series. As a result, the Champions Provisional rule was changed in 2007. Previously those eligible to use the Past Champion's Provisional could do so an unlimited amount of times, until this year when NASCAR placed restrictions on the amount of times a Champions Provisional could be used. Under the new rule an eligible driver can only use the provision a maximum of six times, the same limit is put on teams. This decision was made because of the increasing amount of drivers eligible for this provision and as always with NASCAR to keep the races exciting and competitive.

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