via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
All sports face the pressure to keep reinventing themselves to stay relevant and popular. NASCAR is no exception, and it has brought about significant changes in the last ten years alone. One such example is the Cup Series format. Though continuing public dissatisfaction with the format suggests that the move did not have the intended effects.
It is safe to say that neither the introduction of the playoffs nor the winner-takes-all Championship 4 race at the end of the season has found currency among NASCAR’s oldest and most traditional fanbase.
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More recently, NASCAR’s decision to move the annual pre-season exhibition event to LA was particularly detested. Before this, the event (Busch Light Clash) used to take place at Daytona International Speedway and was reserved for the previous season’s pole winners. This changed in 2022 as NASCAR shifted the race to the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Moreover, it also opened entries to all drivers instead of just the pole winners. Dale Earnhardt Jr called out NASCAR and said “I sorely miss the connection between the pole awards and clash eligibility. It made winning a pole for any driver mean more. It made getting into the clash an exclusive accomplishment. The origin and identity of the clash itself was pole award winners.”
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NASCAR’s reasons for the change have been relatively straightforward: including more drivers and teams for the event translates into more revenue. Revenue is essential for any sporting organization to run. But it is everybody’s loss if the event starts becoming a dud in fans’ eyes. NASCAR desperately needs to balance its need for expansion and its dependence on traditional support.
NASCAR continues making changes to the Clash
Bob Pockrass recently released updates from NASCAR that make further changes to the format of the race for the 2023 edition. Unsurprisingly, the general sentiment regarding the changes was that of disappointment and frustration.
Clash will have 27 cars. Top five from each of four 10-car heats, then top-three from each of the two last-chance qualifiers and one points provisional. Format: pic.twitter.com/dZN2mJrMJQ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 22, 2022
That hasn’t gone down too well with fans –
So many cars for that little bull ring. Too many.
— Greg Beaulieu (@Greg_Beau) December 22, 2022
This is the year someone will DIE in Nascar from a wreck. Cars aren't safe.
— Demarcus Elliot (@demarcus1776) December 22, 2022
NASCAR looking for that chaos and more tightly packed action. YOLO
— David Fallavollita (@FallaTheLeader) December 22, 2022
https://t.co/1Ssak6k4Rg pic.twitter.com/oX7OjEPboC
— Josef 🍥 (@JosefMiele) December 22, 2022
Let there be chaos. https://t.co/CidiMfTlSK pic.twitter.com/USFXSLtJiM
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) December 22, 2022
This is so dumb we brought back qualifying hell let's just bring back the shootout
— Leyton House CPA (@CarlnoWinslow) December 22, 2022
Fans believe it will affect the prestige of the sport –
Don't get me wrong, I love the short track/dirt style format but this is highly taking away the prestige of making the Clash. It should be all pole winners from last year & the ongoing year, past Clash winners, and past champions, with an open race for 1 more spot https://t.co/9hT3OAa1Px
— kyle (@kyle_part_2) December 22, 2022
1 critique about last years clash, TOO MANY CARS and what do they do? Add more… we don’t need every car in the show it cheapens the prestige. How do we call this the premier Motorsport in America if everyone’s guaranteed a spot! I know it’s just the clash but it’s the principle https://t.co/rnoJhOJeqf
— The Buddy Pulley (@BuddyPulley) December 22, 2022
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What is with nascar expanding everything? The playoffs, the amount of cars in exhibition races, the amount of road courses… it makes these things feel less special. Making the playoffs and being eligible for these exhibition races doesnt have any exclusivity to them anymore
— ElitePrecision29 (@lmm2996) December 22, 2022
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Fans all across are expressing their disappointment with the decision. Many drivers are likely to echo the same sentiment given the safety issues involved. Do you think NASCAR should take a more holistic view before making such announcements? Share your opinions in comments below.
