NASCAR SVP Does Not Rule Out Changing Superspeedway Format to Tackle Fuel-Mileage Disappointment: “It’s Our Job”

When the fuel-saving fiasco returned to Talladega Superspeedway, fans rolled their eyes. It stripped the event of its quintessential factor: racing. That is because all drivers were using half-throttle to save fuel for last-lap dashes. As a result, they advanced in packs while nobody strove to overtake each other. So when Jeff Gluck asked if the Talladega race was good, most fans gave a resounding ‘no’.

Hence, this has spurred NASCAR officials into action. Investigations were already afoot after the aggressive fuel-saving at Daytona. Now a top executive is considering expanding avenues to look for a remedy.

NASCAR might go out of its way to elevate race quality

“Excessive fuel saving” was rampant in the Daytona 500. Top drivers fought to cut down pit stops, sometimes to an extreme degree, like six seconds slower each lap. The lack of actual racing drew the ire of Kyle Busch, who called it “disgraceful”. Chris Buescher also said that “this was the least amount of fun” he had in Daytona. They also voiced their concern for the fans.

The same thing played out in Talladega, as drivers raced in three-wide packs without actually making moves. Although the race ended with 72 lead changes, the end product was not received well by fans. To get to the bottom of this dilemma, NASCAR’s Senior VP of Competition Elton Sawyer talked about solutions.

Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Sawyer talked about the flexibility of options. “If we feel like there are changes that need to be made…I don’t know that there is a fix. I think we can look at things in collaboration with our TV partners, our teams to make a change if we all feel like we need to.”

Upon being asked whether the addition of stages can be an option, Sawyer responded positively. “I don’t think there’s anything that’s off the table…I think if you look at it, it’s what do you wanna take fuel mileage completely out of the event…And sure, you can do that, where we put the stage breaks…If that’s what from an entertainment value…We talked about it over the last couple of weeks.”

Veteran drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr had suggested shortened stages as a viable solution. At present, the longer stages of superspeedways drain a car’s fuel tank faster, prompting frequent pit stops. However, Joey Logano did not favor this solution, suggesting a mandatory stop within a stage.

Either way, NASCAR’s willingness to solve the problem is clear. Sawyer concluded with a clear stress on fan satisfaction. “That’s the great part of our sport…Our passionate fans: what they like to see, what they don’t want to see. It’s our job to put on a good product.”

Now that NASCAR is swinging into action, we may see some results. Sawyer also acknowledged the immense talent of racing teams to adapt to such problems.

Strategy is of the essence in modern-day racing

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The fuel-saving problem has many ways around it. These include making the fuel flow faster and changing lug nuts quicker. Either way, racing teams are constantly learning to work on their slip-ups. Sawyer emphasized after the Daytona 500 race that matching this team spirit is NASCAR’s goal right now.

“Just over time,” Sawyer said of the fuel-saving strategy used, “76 years of NASCAR racing and our race teams are just so good, and our teams are so good, and our drivers are so good, and the strategy and the preparation that goes into these events — they don’t leave any stones unturned.” 

He added, “The Daytona 500 and superspeedway racing in general has kind of come down to that. Basically what you’re trying to do is spend the least amount of time on pit road that you can.”

NASCAR’s proactive approach seems encouraging, and we may see an improved racing product soon.