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SPORTS Friday 3 May 2019
NASCAR throws the flag on trying to liven up qualifying

By JENNA FRYER good show, we were op-
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — timistic and it didn't work
NASCAR abandoned its out," Miller said. "Maybe we
years-long bid to add ex- should have been more
citement to qualifying and proactive, maybe they
announced Wednesday it should have been active.
will return to single-car laps Whatever."
after the current format be- NASCAR was adamant it
came a laughingstock. was trying to keep quali-
All three national series fying entertaining for fans
will make the change at because single-car runs are
all oval tracks, starting this tedious, but teams contin-
weekend at Dover. ued to find loopholes that
NASCAR for more than five made the format a farce.
years has used a group Most drivers waited until
qualifying format, but a the very last moment to pull
new rules package this off pit lane for their qualify-
season created an unin- ing run; and all 12 drivers in
tended consequence: driv- the final round at California
ers could game the system. in March missed the cutoff Brad Keselowski (2) leads a pack of cars through the trip oval during the NASCAR Cup Series auto
"The teams are always go- point to even register a lap. race at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Talladega, Ala.
ing to do what benefits NASCAR officials were furi- Associated Press
them the most and un- ous and for the past month
fortunately that was wait- considered various op- NBC Sports are tasked with with the teams all waiting be in effect for the rest of
ing, drafting," said Scott tions, but the emphasis on showing qualifying, which until the last minute, it be- the season, though group
Miller, senior vice president aerodynamic draft cre- had been knockout rounds came problematic from qualifying will remain in
of competition. "It wasn't ated through the new rules completed within an hour. a content standpoint and place at road courses.
a very compelling show. package backed the series Both TV partners indicated also from a storytelling The qualifying order draw
We owe it to our fans to into a corner. Teams want- to NASCAR they could still standpoint for the broad- will be determined by the
provide something that is ed an aero pull and waited produce an interesting caster and radio perspec- previous race's starting
worth watching." for another driver to go first, show with single-car quali- tive," Miller said. "It was very lineup. The session should
Miller did not concede it and they showed no inten- fying, which played a part hard to figure out who was still be completed in an
as a victory for the teams, tion of stopping despite in NASCAR's decision to go doing what when it was hour, with potentially two
who found every loophole several NASCAR attempts back to a format most find (happening) only in two cars half a lap apart mak-
to their benefit. to tighten the rules. technical and rather bor- minutes. This is also about ing runs at the same time,
"I don't think anybody is Elimination-style rounds ing. restoring general order." and the networks will rely
at fault. It is something we were also cut. Television "We've all seen how group NASCAR said the single- on technology to enhance
tried, to try to provide a partners Fox Sports and qualifying evolved, and car qualifying format will the production.q
BAFFERT feat of back-to-back Der- He hasn't talked up his cur-
Continued from Page 17 by winners in 1997-98. He rent trio the same way.
"I could win the Derby and could do it again Saturday, "It's sort of wide-open," he
just go home, that kind of having won last year with said about the 20-horse
race it is." Justify, the colt that went field.
He will have three chances on to give Baffert his sec- Game Winner has the
to make history Saturday. ond Triple Crown triumph. strongest resume of Baf-
Baffert saddles Game "I hate thinking about fert's entries. He was last
Winner, Improbable and things because then I feel year's champion 2-year-
Roadster in the 145th Der- like I'm getting super jin- old male and won the
by. Game Winner was xed," said the trainer who Breeders' Cup Juvenile at
made the early 9-2 favorite once got spooked at the Churchill Downs. The colt
in a revised morning line sight of a black cat cross- lost last month's Rebel
after Omaha Beach was ing his path on the back- Stakes by a nose to Oma-
scratched Wednesday side of Churchill Downs. ha Beach.
night because of a breath- Baffert has had three Der- "He's tough, he's gritty. Trainer Bob Baffert looks out from his barn before a workout
ing problem. by starters in the same year Coming to the Derby, you at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 1, 2019, in Louisville, Ky.
Baffert has three horses competing in the 145th running of the
Improbable and Roadster twice before. In 2006, his want a horse that's resil- Kentucky Derby which is scheduled for Saturday, May 4.
were made the co-second entries finished ninth, 16th ient," Baffert said. "He's Associated Press
choices at 5-1, giving Baf- and 17th. In 1999, his horses ready for a big effort."
fert the top three betting were fourth, fifth and 11th. Improbable finished sec- who first touted the colt to "I used to be the horse
choices in the 20-horse "There's nothing more excit- ond to Omaha Beach in TMZ. guy," he said. "Now they
field. ing in the Derby than when the Arkansas Derby. The celebrity website's know me by Baffert, so I've
A sixth victory by Baffert you turn for home and your Roadster has overcome camera crew caught Baf- come a long way."
would tie him with Ben horses are in contention," the most obstacles, hav- fert outside a trendy West When asked by strangers if
Jones for most in Derby his- the 66-year-old said. "You ing undergone throat sur- Hollywood restaurant last he has won the Kentucky
tory. Jones trained six Der- just want to be proud that gery last year and quarter year. Derby, he does not like to
by winners between 1938 your horses show up." cracks in his hooves this He gets stopped in airports say how many times. Per-
and 1952. Jones and Baf- Baffert knew he was bring- year, similar to a human by people who recognize haps because he still can-
fert are among four train- ing the best horse to the breaking a fingernail near him by his white hair. His not believe the answer
ers who have won the race Derby with Triple Crown the cuticle. horses are routinely over- is five. "I'm going in there
four times. winner American Pharoah "I knew he was something bet simply because he like I'm trying to win my first
Baffert equaled Jones' in 2015 and Justify last year. really special," said Baffert, trains them. Derby," he said.q