Interest builds around possible changes to NASCAR schedule

ToyYoda said:
I doubt there will be any contraction of the schedule until the current TV deal expires. I don’t think NASCAR wants to hand a huge chunk of money back to Fox and NBC.
Click to expand...

They sure are hinting at it a lot, if it's not something slated for earlier than 2025. I kinda get the impression this is what NBC wants, but I don't understand the machinations of why that might be beyond "get out of football's way".

My prediction is that they're going to do minor contraction and some concentration of the schedule, meaning 2-4 fewer races and possibly a few mid-week dates, with a primary goal of ending the season earlier.
 
I haven't heard anyone who was getting paid by Nascar or the networks say anything about less races and or a shorter schedule. Sources and industry exec's have hinted though.:idunno:
 
StandOnIt said:
I haven't heard anyone who was getting paid by Nascar or the networks say anything about less races and or a shorter schedule. Sources and industry exec's have hinted though.:idunno:
Click to expand...

What convinced me that this is more than rumor is when Phelps told your favorite reporter Adam Stern that the schedule definitely won't increase, and there is no set number on the table beyond 2020. It would be so easy to say what they often say to shoot down rumors, which is "There is no truth to that, we're happy with the schedule and number of races we have." i think it's wide open what will happen, but to me it seems obvious fewer races are being considered.
 
no set number could be positive or negative. Schedule can't increase or decrease I would think. They are under TV contracts for like 5 more years. Unless like Toyoda said they want to pay the TV people a chunk of change to revise the contract and that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me anyway. I can see what the latest survey is asking, they can change tracks, or the race schedule times, but cutting or adding dates seems to me something of an agreement would have to be made and another contract written for all of that.
 
gnomesayin said:
What convinced me that this is more than rumor is when Phelps told your favorite reporter Adam Stern that the schedule definitely won't increase, and there is no set number on the table beyond 2020. It would be so easy to say what they often say to shoot down rumors, which is "There is no truth to that, we're happy with the schedule and number of races we have." i think it's wide open what will happen, but to me it seems obvious fewer races are being considered.
Click to expand...
The Fan survey this week sure indicated that they are looking at ideas for less races and a midweek race. Also I am sure they are considering a couple of RC tracks.
 
Is there a track that hosts standalone X, Truck, or IMSA races that wouldn't work for Cup? From a racing standpoint, not necessarily having the facilities to host 60,000 fans.
 
I say again. Nascar is a business. The France family controls 75% of the 8 billion TV money.
Why would they give races up before 2024?
All you people on this board have good common sense. If you controlled the majority of the money for your industry would you gladly give up some money to your competition? No you would not you would milk that cow till it is dust. Take the guaranteed money now because tomorrow everything could change.
 
nitetrain said:
All you people on this board have good common sense.
Click to expand...
My brain has 64 kilobytes of RAM. It takes 56 to run Heart-Lung Operating System Beta 3.0. That leaves 8 kilobytes for applications. 6 of those are occupied by song lyrics and Playmates. That leave 2 kilobytes for everything else.

What were we talking about, Mildred? :blink:

More to the point, I'd rather have a smaller income stream that will last longer, depending on how much smaller it is and how much longer it will last. Running something into the ground is a sure way to hand money to the competition that will spring up to fill the demand.
 
_______ "France" still running NASCAR. Still making money but losing fans, so now the France in charge is addressing these issues with a seemingly more hands-on-approach at the track. Seems like changing the schedule has a lot of tentacles with implications throughout their business portfolio.

Don't know if NASCAR is paddling their canoe full of money to the shore or over the waterfall yet. I'll be watching either way -- I just saw plenty of good seats still available for Atlanta, so I might go enjoy the the first points-paying glimpse of the new formula. :)
 
nitetrain said:
I say again. Nascar is a business. The France family controls 75% of the 8 billion TV money.
Why would they give races up before 2024?
All you people on this board have good common sense. If you controlled the majority of the money for your industry would you gladly give up some money to your competition? No you would not you would milk that cow till it is dust. Take the guaranteed money now because tomorrow everything could change.
Click to expand...

MAYBE they have a plan that will result in some tradeoffs, where the net loss of revenue will be acceptable.
MAYBE they realize that if they don't start fixing some things, they are going to lose a LOT more than what a shorter schedule will cost them.
MAYBE it's the fact that Jim France isn't always driven by making every last dollar. If it was, he wouldn't have spent a decade and a half dumping money into Grand Am and getting very little of it back.
MAYBE it's the fact that unlike Brian and even Lesa who are third generation, Jim is part of the second France generation, and has a more personal stake in seeing his father's vision and legacy returned to it's former glory.
 
Formerjackman said:
MAYBE they have a plan that will result in some tradeoffs, where the net loss of revenue will be acceptable.
MAYBE they realize that if they don't start fixing some things, they are going to lose a LOT more than what a shorter schedule will cost them.
MAYBE it's the fact that Jim France isn't always driven by making every last dollar. If it was, he wouldn't have spent a decade and a half dumping money into Grand Am and getting very little of it back.
MAYBE it's the fact that unlike Brian and even Lesa who are third generation, Jim is part of the second France generation, and has a more personal stake in seeing his father's vision and legacy returned to it's former glory.
Click to expand...

The France family made over 225 million dollars last year and the have been making that much or more for years. What is it around 77% of ISC they own. People been hearing and listening to the talking heads drama so long they think because attendance at the track is down and TV ratings are down that they are losing money. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yeah a good deathbedder can live in the "Negatives of Nascar" but it ain't about the money. What they are trying to accomplish is to make the sport of Nascar easier to play if a manufacturer wants to participate. Lets face it, a Ferrari for instance isn't going to look at home on an oval, but if more road courses were offered, maybe they would participate in those if it didn't take an arm and a leg to do so.
 
StandOnIt said:
People been hearing and listening to the talking heads drama so long they think because attendance at the track is down and TV ratings are down that they are losing money. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Click to expand...
This, this, this, and this again. Oh, and this, too.
 
Formerjackman said:
I agree, it's not coming back, but if Dick Bahre and Bruton Smith hadn't gobbled it up for their own selfish reasons, it might STILL be on the schedule. The ONLY difference between Martinsville and North Wilkesboro was an owner committed to staying in business, versus one who wasn't.
Click to expand...

The national expansion idea wouldn't have sucked as much if they didn't build the worst possible tracks in the new markets. If they had rebuilt North Wilkesboro in Vegas or Fort Worth, it would've been great.
 
The Nature Boy said:
The national expansion idea wouldn't have sucked as much if they didn't build the worst possible tracks in the new markets. If they had rebuilt North Wilkesboro in Vegas or Fort Worth, it would've been great.
Click to expand...
You can't run IndyCar on an NW clone. As I recall, one of the prime reasons they build so many 1.5-mile ovals was to run series other than NASCAR. We can all see how that worked out; ironically, Ft. Worth is one of the few 1.5-ers of the expansion era to still host both series.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
You can't run IndyCar on an NW clone. As I recall, one of the prime reasons they build so many 1.5-mile ovals was to run series other than NASCAR. We can all see how that worked out; ironically, Ft. Worth is one of the few 1.5-ers of the expansion era to still host both series.
Click to expand...

Yeah people forget about that. It wasn’t that long ago INDYCAR was still a major American sport until the split killed it
 
Mispeedway15 said:
Yeah people forget about that. It wasn’t that long ago INDYCAR was still a major American sport until the split killed it
Click to expand...
Considering that INDYCAR is still in operation, are they not running races at those tracks?
 
Team Penske said:
Considering that INDYCAR is still in operation, are they not running races at those tracks?
Click to expand...
The 2019 Indy schedule includes only three ovals built in the late '09s and early '00s - Texas, Iowa, and Chicago's back this year after being off for several. They ran Charlotte for a couple of years before debris from a wreck killed a handful of spectators, and abandoned Vegas after Dan Wheldon's death. I don't remember if they ever tried any of the others.

Only 1/3 of their current schedule consists of ovals. Indy and Pocono predate the boom years and aren't banked 1.5-ers. I'm surprised they added 1.5 Chicago as the replacement for Phoenix; that's why I forgot to mention it in my previous post.
 
gnomesayin said:
They sure are hinting at it a lot, if it's not something slated for earlier than 2025. I kinda get the impression this is what NBC wants, but I don't understand the machinations of why that might be beyond "get out of football's way".

My prediction is that they're going to do minor contraction and some concentration of the schedule, meaning 2-4 fewer races and possibly a few mid-week dates, with a primary goal of ending the season earlier.
Click to expand...
NBC paid A LOT (more than FOX) for NASCAR, and for the half of the season that is MUCH lower-rated than FOX's portion. It wouldn't surprise me at all if NBC is helping drive this thing. If they can get the payout reduced or at least get the races in more favorable time slots - meaning the biggest races aren't all competing against football - it could be better for all parties involved. I'm not sure there's a worse time of the year for NASCAR to be on TV than October and November (during both weekends and weekdays), while the summer months are still ripe for the picking. As it is now, NBC is paying $440M a year for a bunch of 1.5 ratings, which just can't make much financial sense.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
The 2019 Indy schedule includes only three ovals built in the late '09s and early '00s - Texas, Iowa, and Chicago's back this year after being off for several. They ran Charlotte for a couple of years before debris from a wreck killed a handful of spectators, and abandoned Vegas after Dan Wheldon's death. I don't remember if they ever tried any of the others.

Only 1/3 of their current schedule consists of ovals. Indy and Pocono predate the boom years and aren't banked 1.5-ers. I'm surprised they added 1.5 Chicago as the replacement for Phoenix; that's why I forgot to mention it in my previous post.
Click to expand...
Chicagoland isnt on the Indy car schedule this year are they? When did this happen, I havent gotten any offers for tickets since I am a season ticket holder for the track. I think this is false.
 
Snappy D said:
Chicagoland isnt on the Indy car schedule this year are they? When did this happen, I havent gotten any offers for tickets since I am a season ticket holder for the track. I think this is false.
Click to expand...
You'll have to find someone else to haunt there this year. We're going to Sonoma instead. :booya:
 
Snappy D said:
Chicagoland isnt on the Indy car schedule this year are they? When did this happen, I havent gotten any offers for tickets since I am a season ticket holder for the track. I think this is false.
Click to expand...
Charlie Spencer said:
My mistake, they're at the other end of the state - Gateway. :oops:
Click to expand...
Chicagoland and Richmond are the two ovals they (IndyCar) are evaluating for addition to the 2020 schedule, and at least the Chicagoland race would potentially be a doubleheader with NASCAR. I think they were also discussed during that forum NBC had with their various motorsport properties earlier this year.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Chicagoland and Richmond are the two ovals they (IndyCar) are evaluating for addition to the 2020 schedule, and at least the Chicagoland race would potentially be a doubleheader with NASCAR. I think they were also discussed during that forum NBC had with their various motorsport properties earlier this year.
Click to expand...
that double header would be so awesome. holy hell sign me up.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
My mistake, they're at the other end of the state - Gateway. :oops:
Click to expand...
I wasnt coming at you I was actually about to call the ticket office at the speedway and yell at them about why I hadnt been offered to buy tickets for Indy's return to Chicagoland. I was actually excited!
 
A double header with Indy and Cup would be great. I wonder who would be the first driver to try both?
Kurt ?
 
If NASCAR is serious about changing up the schedule to what most everyone wants then they need to back up their words and make some bold moves. Invest in and go back to The Rock and North Wilkesboro, even if it means starting out in Xfinity for a year or 2 at those places. Add a 2nd race to Darlington. Add a race to Road America. Nashville Fairgrounds already seems to have some momentum to get back on the schedule, go back there.

Go old school and bring back tradition. It's no coincidence that attendance at Darlington has been at or near capacity since NASCAR moved the Southern 500 back to Labor Day weekend.

Aside from the Chase/playoffs, most would agree that one of the biggest downfalls of the sport was trying to go too national which led to numerous races in boring, cookie-cutter tracks. It's a regional sport for the most part, dance with the girl who brung ya.
 
Snappy D said:
I wasnt coming at you I was actually about to call the ticket office at the speedway and yell at them about why I hadnt been offered to buy tickets for Indy's return to Chicagoland. I was actually excited!
Click to expand...

I was ready to get airline tickets for that one.
 
If I had to write the 2021 schedule...

Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Dover, Charlotte Roval lose a race. Eldora, Gateway, Road America, Mosport gain a race. 6 races in the month of July as there's no other sports on.

Red = date changed on schedule
Green = new race

1. Las Vegas 400 (Sunday, January 31)
Ex. The Clash @ Daytona (Sunday, February 14th - alternating every year between RC and plate race)
2. Daytona 500 (Sunday, February 21st)
3. Phoenix 500k (Sunday, February 28th)
4. Auto Club 400 (Sunday, March 7th)
5. Toyota/Save Mart 350 @ Sonoma (Sunday, March 14th)
6. Texas 400 (Sunday, March 21st)
7. Atlanta 500 (Sunday, March 28th)
OFF - Easter
8. Food City 500 @ Bristol (Sunday, April 11th)
9. STP 500 @ Martinsville (Sunday, April 18th)
10. Geico 400 @ Talladega (Sunday, April 25th)
11. Toyota Owners 400 @ Richmond (Saturday, May 1st)
12. Gateway 300 (Saturday, May 8th)
13. Road America 250 (Sunday, May 16th)
Ex. All-Star Race @ Charlotte (Saturday, May 22nd)
14. Coca-Cola 600 (Sunday, May 30th)
15. Pocono 400 (Sunday, June 6th)
16. Michigan 400 (Sunday, June 13th)
17. Canadian Tire 300k @ Mosport (Sunday, June 20th)
18. Camping World 400 @ Chicago (Saturday, June 26th)
19. Firecracker 400 @ Daytona (Saturday, July 3rd)
20. Quaker State 400 @ Kentucky (Saturday, July 10th)
21. Eldora Dirt Derby (Wednesday, July 14th)
22. New Hampshire 301 (Sunday, July 18th)
23. Pennsylvania 400 (Sunday, July 25th)
24. Bristol Night Race (Saturday, July 31st)
25. Brickyard 400 (Sunday, August 8th)
Playoffs
26. GoBowling @ The Glen (Sunday, August 15th)
27. Federated Auto Parts 400 @ Richmond (Saturday, August 21st)
28. Hollywood Casino 400 @ Kansas (Sunday, August 29th)
Round of 12
29. Southern 500 @ Darlington (Sunday, September 5th)
30. Alabama 500 @ Talladega (Sunday, September 12th)
31. Delaware 400 @ Dover (Sunday, September 19th)
Round of 8
32. First Data 500 @ Martinsville (Saturday, September 25th)
33. South Point 400 @ Las Vegas (Sunday, October 3rd)
34. Can-Am 500k @ Phoenix (Sunday, October 10th)
Championship 4
35. Ford Ecoboost 400 @ Homestead-Miami (Sunday, October 17th)
 
Last edited:
AuzGrams said:
If I had to write the 2021 schedule...

Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Dover, Charlotte Roval lose a race. Eldora, Gateway, Road America, Mosport gain a race. 6 races in the month of July as there's no other sports on.

Red = date changed on schedule
Green = new race

1. Las Vegas 400 (Sunday, January 31)
Ex. The Clash @ Daytona (Sunday, February 14th - alternating every year between RC and plate race)
2. Daytona 500 (Sunday, February 21st)
3. Phoenix 500k (Sunday, February 28th)
4. Auto Club 400 (Sunday, March 7th)
5. Toyota/Save Mart 350 @ Sonoma (Sunday, March 14th)
6. Texas 400 (Sunday, March 21st)
7. Atlanta 500 (Sunday, March 28th)
OFF - Easter
8. Food City 500 @ Bristol (Sunday, April 11th)
9. STP 500 @ Martinsville (Sunday, April 18th)
10. Geico 400 @ Talladega (Sunday, April 25th)
11. Toyota Owners 400 @ Richmond (Saturday, May 1st)
12. Gateway 300 (Saturday, May 8th)
13. Road America 250 (Sunday, May 16th)
Ex. All-Star Race @ Charlotte (Saturday, May 22nd)
14. Coca-Cola 600 (Sunday, May 30th)
15. Pocono 400 (Sunday, June 6th)
16. Michigan 400 (Sunday, June 13th)
17. Canadian Tire 300k @ Mosport (Sunday, June 20th)
18. Camping World 400 @ Chicago (Saturday, June 26th)
19. Firecracker 400 @ Daytona (Saturday, July 3rd)
20. Quaker State 400 @ Kentucky (Saturday, July 10th)
21. Eldora Dirt Derby (Wednesday, July 14th)
22. New Hampshire 301 (Sunday, July 18th)
23. Pennsylvania 400 (Sunday, July 25th)
24. Bristol Night Race (Saturday, July 31st)
25. Brickyard 400 (Sunday, August 8th)
Playoffs
26. GoBowling @ The Glen (Sunday, August 15th)
27. Federated Auto Parts 400 @ Richmond (Saturday, August 21st)
28. Hollywood Casino 400 @ Kansas (Sunday, August 29th)
Round of 12
29. Southern 500 @ Darlington (Sunday, September 5th)
30. Alabama 500 @ Talladega (Sunday, September 12th)
31. Delaware 400 @ Dover (Sunday, September 19th)
Round of 8
32. First Data 500 @ Martinsville (Saturday, September 25th)
33. South Point 400 @ Las Vegas (Sunday, October 3rd)
34. Can-Am 500k @ Phoenix (Sunday, October 10th)
Championship 4
35. Ford Ecoboost 400 @ Homestead-Miami (Sunday, October 17th)
Click to expand...

I like your schedule ideas. NASCAR and the teams wouldn’t want only one off weekend, even if it meant an earlier championship. Gateway is a good option to add, unique track that has elements of short tracks built into a miler. An Eldora dirt race mid-week sounds like fun. I would suggest the Firecracker at Daytona be the Road course/roval.
 
Conover said:
I like your schedule ideas. NASCAR and the teams wouldn’t want only one off weekend, even if it meant an earlier championship. Gateway is a good option to add, unique track that has elements of short tracks built into a miler. An Eldora dirt race mid-week sounds like fun. I would suggest the Firecracker at Daytona be the Road course/roval.
Click to expand...

Well technically there is 2 off weeks, with the Las Vegas race opening the season during Pro Bowl weekend. I think the fans and media would view that better than California or Phoenix as the opener.

Maybe an off week say September 12th after race 29 (start of NFL season) and pushing the final races back a week to finish October 24th could work to create 3 off weeks.
 
Last edited:
I saw again this week that Las Vegas is bringing back the 'roval' configuration for a TBA October sports car race weekend, which I thought was eliminated a long while ago as they have separate infield and outfield road courses now...not sure if they built it back up or what, but I would've figured someone at SMI or in the media would've brought it up by now. I know SMI, late last year, mentioned they don't have any more plans to 'rovalize', but it's something to keep an eye on.
 
Was listening to SiriusXM on the way home from work and Moody was peddling the idea of reducing the number of races and compacting the calendar. If that isn't a tell-tale sign...
 
FLRacingFan said:
Was listening to SiriusXM on the way home from work and Moody was peddling the idea of reducing the number of races and compacting the calendar. If that isn't a tell-tale sign...
Click to expand...

I'm going to assume that if anyone could have managed the excruciating task of maintaining Moody archives, it would be evident that he has chewed callers out for suggesting the same.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom