The next-gen cars since their rollout have assuredly stood the test of time. However, there has been skepticism owing to its new specs chassis and how it made the sport less competitive after the reduction of horsepower. Nevertheless, the next-gen with the passage of time has proved to be an absolute beast when it comes to racing on tracks that are more than one mile in length.
There is no denying the fact that short tracks have often occupied a coveted position in the hearts of every NASCAR fan. However, with the reduction in horsepower, the iconic short tracks seemed to have lost their edge, while it is the mile and quarter-mile-length tracks that seem to shine and deliver the most unexpected results. Nevertheless, after a race marked replete with cautions in Kansas, NASCAR insiders seem to advocate for the return of one such track on their calendar.
Denny Hamlin makes a fervent plea to NASCAR
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Since the inception of the sport, short oval tracks have been the most defining characteristic of the sport. These tracks have witnessed and delivered one of the most defining races of the time that has shaped the sport that it is today.
However, since the unveiling of the next-gen cars, last year, the short tracks seem to lose their crown to the quarter-mile and bigger tracks as it delivered one of the most contentious races that NASCAR fans pray for.
One of the reasons behind the rise of these longer tracks is perhaps due to the reduction of the horsepower in the cars. With the decrease in horsepower, the drivers had expressed that the cars lost their momentum and also took away the passing opportunities. Amidst this commotion of next-gen cars, the sport seemed to take a different turn on the longer tracks, marking and portraying the competitive races on the calendar.
Nevertheless, with the race mired in cautions and a series of lead changes, Denny Hamlin in his podcast Actions Detrimental apparently advocated the return of one such one-mile-and-a-half track to the NASCAR calendar. He expressed, “It took a long time to mature, and now that it is mature, that means the pavement is getting older, it’s a racey track man. Kansas is one of the best tracks that we have on our schedule for racing.”
“Certainly hope Mr. Ben Kennedy, he keeps putting mile and halves track. These next-gen cars well are a struggle on road courses and short tracks it is and a** kicker on the mile and the halves. They are some of the best racing like the old Chicagoland speedways would be awesome for the Next-Gen car, because it would be a lot like Kansas.”
NASCAR veterans sing the same tune as Denny Hamlin
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Moreover, it is not just veterans like Denny Hamlin who hoped to see the return of the iconic track of Chicagoland, which was removed from the NASCAR schedule due to the ongoing pandemic and loss of audience from the sport. RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski evidently held up the same notions as he posted on Twitter.
Read More: “He Stole From Me”- Denny Hamlin “Pi**d Off” Over Michael Jordan’s Prodigy’s Bitter Kansas Snub
He wrote, “Agreed. We went from 1.5-mile tracks being the worst and road courses being the best races to watch with Gen6 car: To now, 1.5-mile tracks being the best and road courses being the worst racing to watch with NextGen cup car. Interesting to watch this play out. We need more 1.5.“
After articulating his wishes, fans seemed to be elated and also wished for the return of the iconic track of Chicagoland.
Many netizens commented, “Bring back Chicagoland,” “bring back @ChicagolndSpdwy,” and “Need Chicagoland back on the schedule.”
Bring back Chicagoland and Kentucky. We also need to fix our short track package as well.
— james (@Hendrick_488) September 11, 2023
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@IceTitan80 how about a Chicagoland speedway return sound 👀👀
— Johnny So Fresh (@JohnnySoFresh2) September 11, 2023
With that being said, it will be interesting to see if, the NASCAR authorities pay heed to the fervent plea of the drivers and the fans like. With the authorities taking the initiative of re-opening the gates of the old and iconic tracks, the fans can only hope that Chicagoland will soon make a comeback.
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