In NASCAR CUP races why and how did they come up with the odd number of 43 cars to start the race?
Answers:
First, Jeff Gordon, then Tony Stewart, now Matt Kenseth..and a certain three letter word?
the Richard Petty rule. The field kept getting expanded until it eventually reached 42 cars. As the King's career wound down all of a sudden he was having trouble making the field. The Petty fans were in an uproar and began staying home (this was prior to "sold-out" races) when he didn't make the race. So NASCAR added the "Past Champion" provisional, a way to get RP in the field and keep the fans coming to the race.The 43rd position could be awarded to any past NASCAR champion that didn't make it into the race on qualifying with that position going to the next fastest qualifier that didn't make the field if all past champions made the race.
Nowadays it's just never been changed from 43.
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They wanted a set size field at every race, and played around with getting just the right #, taking into consideration pit stalls and what not. The field was finally set at 42 (36 qualify on time, 6 provisionals). The Champion's Provisional was added in 1991, after Richard Petty failed to make a race in 1989.More Questions & Answers...