USA Today via Reuters
Apr 24, 2022; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9), Austin Dillon(3), Kevin Harvick(4) and Noah Gragson (62) race during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 24, 2022; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9), Austin Dillon(3), Kevin Harvick(4) and Noah Gragson (62) race during the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
In a recent interview, NASCAR President Steve Phelps addressed the question of what the schedule will look like in the coming season. Especially when there are talks of all sorts of racetracks, street courses, more road courses, short tracks, and ovals being included and excluded.
While Phelps didn’t give a concrete idea of what the situation will really look like, he did give a hint of how the calendar will look in the future, having mentioned the “difficult” nature of finding one type of racetrack.
“I think we’re getting to a point where we may have some saturation on the road course side of things. We’ll continue to listen to the fans and see what the fans are interested in seeing,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“They told us they wanted more road courses and short tracks, the short track thing has been difficult.”
At a press event in San Francisco, NASCAR President Steve Phelps said the plan is to remain bold with the schedule. He hopes the 2023 schedule will be released in August. Will it have a street course? And if so, would that replace an existing road course? His response: pic.twitter.com/SooczZs5K3
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 9, 2022
However, the fans weren’t really convinced on the short track bit of what Phelps said. Most of their reactions really questioned why and how finding more short track circuits to fit on the calendar is such a difficult task.
Plenty of options on TV to watch road course racing. I think 3-4 road courses is enough for Cup. More short tracks
— Blackford (@bryanblack33) June 9, 2022
Not sure why finding more short tracks remains to be such a task. I know of several that would put on a great show. Not enough grandstands? No problem, I know of a few currently on the schedule that have too many.
— Kyle (@ekylef) June 9, 2022
You know an update on Wilkesboro or Rockingham would be cool as well right?
— Noah E (@newworldman006) June 9, 2022
Y’all don’t listen to fans if you did you wouldn’t dump dirt on the best short track!
— Mark Walker (@catting4fun) June 9, 2022
This isn’t sports car racing, The Glen, Sears Point, COTA, and the Roval are enough road courses. A street race would be a disaster in these cars, and frankly isn’t needed. Put Indy back on the oval, and give a date to the Fairgrounds in Nashville.
— Dewayne Weaver (@daweaver323) June 9, 2022
Dale Earnhardt Jr had also called out NASCAR for not including more short tracks
Dale Earnhardt Jr, arguably the biggest name in NASCAR, has been quite vocal about the inclusion of more short tracks in the calendar. Along with his case for the short tracks, he’s also quite clear about why road courses in general, and adding more road courses in particular, doesn’t work.
“I was hoping for some more short tracks,” he said. “I’ve been saying that for years, I’m kind of even tired of hearing myself say it. We need some more short tracks just cause they’re fun.”
Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that road courses don’t do anything for him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Do you think NASCAR will add more short tracks to the circuit or will they keep ignoring what the fans really want?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH STORY: NASCAR News 2022: From Key Bubba Wallace Suspension to Brad Keselowski’s Hearing
Let us know in the comments below.
