International Classic Qualifying Format Will Lock In Top 20
OSWEGO, NY (January 14, 2016) – The 60th running of Oswego Speedway’s International Classic 200 for Novelis Supermodifieds will use a new qualifying format to decide the starting lineup for the iconic short track race run on Sunday, September 4.
Supermodified veteran Jerry Curran (24) leads a group of drivers into Oswego Speedway’s first turn during the 2015 International Classic 200. (Bill Taylor)
Two separate rounds of 2-lap qualifying time trials will still take place, with the opening round hitting the Speedway on ‘Fast Friday Pole Night’ on Friday, September 2. Unlike in previous seasons the fastest 20 competitors will lock into Sunday’s Classic field from the first round of time trials.
The last handful of years has only seen the fastest 14 drivers qualify through round one.
With the new qualifying format, The fastest 20 drivers based on Friday time trials will start in positions 1-20 for the International Classic. Drivers in positions 21 on back through the field will be aligned into two separate preliminary 15-lap Semi Final lineups to be contended on Sunday.
The 21st and 22nd fastest qualifiers will be set as the preliminary pole sitters in each Semi Final, with the rest of the starting lineups set straight up from time.
On Sunday at 11:30 a.m. a 30-minute second round of time trials will be conducted for drivers 21st on back, although it is not mandatory. In the second round of qualifying a driver may choose to drop his or her first round time, and current Semi Final starting position, to re-time with the goal of moving up in the Semi Final lineup order.
Sunday’s second round time trials can also be used by teams that did not make a first round time trial attempt.
If the entire 30-minutes of qualifying is not needed, the track will re-open for supermodified practice.
At noon on Sunday, first and second round qualifying times for positions 21 on back will be combined, setting the official Semi Final lineups with the fastest drivers starting on the front row.
Each Semi Final will be 15-laps in length, with the first taking the green flag at 12:30 p.m. A total of six drivers will qualify from each Semi Final, making up positions 21-32. The finish of the first Semi Final will make-up the inside positions in rows 11-16, with the finish of the second Semi Final making up the outside positions in rows 11-16.
The last two positions in the International Classic 200 field will be set using two provisional starters.
Following the two Semi Finals, supermodifieds will be given their set of full-tank practice runs before moving into pre-race ceremonies for the Pathfinder Bank SBS Classic 75 at 2 p.m.
The International Classic 200 for Novelis Supermodifieds is set to take the green on that afternoon, no later than 4:30 p.m.
Pit gates will open on September 4 at 7 a.m. with hot laps being run from 9-11 a.m.
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Classic Sunday Order of Events – Sunday, September 4 (Subject to Change)
- Pits Open: 7am
- Hot Laps: 9-11am
- Second Round Supermodified Time Trials: 11:30am
- Small Block Super Classic Consi (10-laps): Noon
- International Classic Semi Final #1 (15-laps): 12:30pm
International Classic Semi Final #2 (15-laps): 12:45pm - Supermodified Full Tank Runs: 1:30pm
- SBS Classic 75 Pre-Race: 2pm
SBS Classic 75 Green: 2:30pm - International Classic Pre-Race: 3:45pm
International Classic 200 Green: 4:30pm
