NASCAR is starting to get the qualifying embarrassment in control. On Thursday, another rule change was announced. For Friday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Busch Pole Qualifying session at Richmond Raceway we will see the first two rounds shortened from 10 minutes to five minutes. 

The first round will see all cars go out in group style for a lap or laps with the top 24 moving to Round 2. The top 12 from Round 2 move to the final round, which is also five minutes in length. 

This is not a permanent change to qualifying, as discussions are continuing to take place regarding the qualifying format for NASCAR’s top series. The format for NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying at Richmond is unchanged. 

The enhanced weekend schedule will see inspection take place Saturday afternoon and that will officially set the lineup for Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400 (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 

This is at least a step to control the drivers from sitting idle on pit road for so long. It’s embarrassing to watch drivers pull out and sit idle. It’s a game to them no one wants to win. They all point the finger at someone else because no one wants to be the lead car in the draft. Until NASCAR figures out a way to force someone to be the first car or go back to single car qualifying, shortening the rounds is the next best effort.

It shortens the childlike games these drivers and teams play. But, how good is seeing just 15 minutes of qualifying though?

Why not just do single cars and set the speed off of one run. After all, with 15 total minutes in three rounds, that’s what we’re getting anyways.