About Chris Expertise I know almost every paint scheme and car model year from about 2000 and up. Stuff I'm not good with includes; car setups, aero packages, mostly the actual racing, but I do know a lot about the paint jobs and car models.
Experience I have been designing real life NASCAR schemes for NASCAR computer games since about 2002. I know the placement of every little sticker on most cars. Even small things I notice, such as a different sticker on part of the car, and even what track the special paint schemes were used.
Question The starting grid has 22 rows (enough for 44 cars). Why does NASCAR start with 43 cars with only one car in row 22. Looks like they would fill row 22 with two cars for total of 44 starting cars.
Thanks,
Herb
Answer NASCAR made it mandatory in 1997 that all Sprint Cup races have 43 cars start, no more and no less. I believe the rule was put into place to add the Past Champions Provisional to make sure a former champion didn't miss the race. This is why at times a lot of "Go or go home" drivers or "Field Fillers" attempt the race, because some teams decide they do not wish to run the event and other teams such as those show up in the hopes of having a better chance to make the race. I hope this answers your question. As to why they don't run more or less than 43 cars is totally beyond me, I've tried looking it up and the only answer I get is what I explained to you.
