B-main

A B-main is a secondary qualifying race that gives drivers who didn't make it into the main event a final chance to earn their spot in the feature race.

In most motorsport events, there are too many drivers to fit in one race safely. To solve this problem, race organizers hold qualifying rounds called heat races first. The fastest drivers from these heats advance directly to the main event, which is often called the A-main or feature race.

But what happens to the drivers who didn't qualify? That's where the B-main comes in. These remaining drivers compete in the B-main race, with only the top finishers earning transfer spots into the main event. It's essentially a "last chance qualifier" that keeps the competition fair and exciting.

The number of drivers who transfer from the B-main varies depending on the racing series and field size. Typically, anywhere from two to six drivers might advance. These drivers usually start at the back of the main event field, behind all the drivers who qualified directly through the heat races.

B-mains are especially common in dirt track racing, sprint car racing, and other grassroots motorsports where large fields of competitors are normal. Some events might even have multiple B-mains, or additional races like C-mains and D-mains, depending on how many drivers entered the event.

For drivers, the B-main represents both opportunity and pressure. It's a second chance to make the show, but it's also their final opportunity. This creates intense racing as drivers know they must finish near the front or their night is over.

The B-main system ensures that the main event features the most competitive drivers while still giving everyone a fair shot at making the race. It's a key part of motorsport that balances competition with safety by managing field sizes effectively.