VIDEO: When NASCAR Fell Into “F1 Levels of F**kery” in Astonishing Scenes

Currently, the NASCAR Cup Series employs the single-lap qualifying format. Over here, the cars are sent out one by one to set lap times and the grid is decided by the fastest to the slowest times. However, around the 2019 Cup Series season, the format was a lot different, as the pack was sent out in groups like they have in F1.

Unfortunately, this sometimes created chaotic situations for the drivers and teams. A prime example of this was the 2019 qualifying session at the Auto Club Speedway.

Over here, a large cluster of drivers hung around by the pit lane entrance but refused to move out. Eventually, they all had to relent and make a move out of the pit lane.

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Their reluctance was because they did not want to be the first one out and have their rivals pick up a tow.

This NASCAR scene was similar to the 2019 Italian Grand Prix qualifying

Coincidentally, this kind of scene was seen during the same year, at the F1 Italian Grand Prix qualifying session. Admittedly, circumstances were a little different because Kimi Raikkonen crashed out with 6 minutes and 35 seconds on the clock. When the Q3 session resumed, all the drivers played a massive waiting game to see who would blink first.

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In the end, with two minutes to go, the entire Top 10, minus Raikkonen, scrambled to set the fastest time. However, they were all going unusually slowly on their out laps.

Their justification was that they did not want to be disadvantaged by the lack of slipstream while providing others the same. Truthfully speaking, the explanation was valid because the Monza circuit is one of the fastest tracks. So the chances of slipstream battles are high.

In the end, only two drivers were able to reach the line in time before the timer ran out. So, they were able to complete their laps while the rest of the pack missed out.

Fortunately for the NASCAR drivers, no one really missed out on a chance to set a flying lap, but many fans drew parallels with F1.