Softer compound tires designed for qualifying only because they provide excellent traction but only for a very short amount of time.

During designated sessions, NASCAR and Champ Car World Series teams must meet established lap times to qualify for (or enter) a race based on a predetermined number of spots available.

Qualifying determines starting positions, based on each driver's best lap time during the qualifying session or sessions. Each car is timed, and the starting grid is determined by the order of fastest cars. For road and street courses, the Champ Car World Series vehicles are on the track at the same time, which requires careful management of track position in order to avoid being blocked by a slower car. For oval events, qualifying is one car at a time, usually for two timed laps.