The official schedule for the 2023 Cup Series was released by NASCAR recently. However, Hendrick Motorsports Chase Elliott posted an unexpected response to the schedule on his official Twitter handle. On September 15, 2022, Elliott reposted NASCAR’s new schedule with a bizarre caption.

His tweet read, “Less=More. I like night races too.” And he immediately sent the entire NASCAR community into a state of confusion. Fans started coming up with their own theories on what the words meant. And though a few of them got it right, a few others saw it as an anti-NASCAR post.

Although Chase Elliott did criticize a few decisions taken by the governing body, the post was at best a suggestion according to him. In a pre-race interview at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Elliott came clean and defied the allegations that his post was anti-NASCAR.’

He explained that the post was just a suggestion for a more robust schedule. he said; “I think a more compact schedule, in my opinion. But look, I don’t make the rules and nobody asks my opinion. And that’s completely fine, I’m not asking for that job. I don’t want that job.”

Further, he explained what his tweet actually meant. he said; “But I’m a firm believer that less is more, in the sense of the timing of a schedule and when we could end our season to make the most for TV ratings and things of that nature. I think we could do better, personally.”

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While talking about the caption surrounding night races, he explained that Sunday afternoons in August are quite hot. He said that his suggestion is to include more night races. That way fans can enjoy their favorite sport without being bothered by the heat.

Did NASCAR not consider the changes proposed by Chase Elliott in the new schedule?

Although Chase Elliott made some good points, his suggestions may not be that practical at the moment. While deciding upon a schedule, NASCAR has to factor in a lot of points. And one of the most important points for them is television viewership.

Currently, channel deals with NBC and Fox are the primary source of revenue for NASCAR. And since the governing body is already looking for a few other television deals, it cannot afford to lose any viewership.

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According to NASCAR’s SVP of Media and Productions, Sunday afternoons draw in 25% more viewership than Saturday night races. Hence, NASCAR’s decision to continue with the afternoon races is a strategically planned step. Although it may not be the most ideal choice, it surely is the most practical one at the moment.