Interest builds around possible changes to NASCAR schedule

All those years Kentucky fought to get a Cup race and now going away again. Isn't Chicagoland owned by NASCAR (the former ISC)? and these constant changes with IMS. Why they keep getting thrown bone after bone from NASCAR doesn't make much sense. Interesting times, indeed.
 
Overall I think the expected changes are underwhelming. Sure fans clamored for more road courses but what fans REALLY clamored for is more short tracks - so where are the short track additions?

And this was their chance to do something unique and original, like reviving one of the great lost tracks like Rockingham or NW.
 
Snappy D said:
Hope that Amazon Money was worth it. I'm gonna be a broken hearted fan for a while. Since I was a little guy I had always wanted to go to a race, so in 01 I was so thrilled to finally see my hero's race in my home state.... let alone 25 minutes from my parents house. I did everything right we bought the stupid founder's pass, season tickets and then Cup race tickets..... we only missed 5 races in the 19 year history of the track. Hell I even bought the Busch Stand alone tickets and gave them away through my business to entice new fans to go. I hope that Amazon money is worth it, the stupid gimmick dirt race they're gonna do in Bristol, and the gimmick street races. Even if Chicago gets a street race ( which will NEVER happen, we all have a better chance of winning the lottery) I wont go. I wont support another track in this area. Scratch that, Ill try to go the dirt tracks in Southern Illinois and the ARCA Dirt race in Du Quoin. Second time in my life I've had a track I loved go away this one and the first was the Chicago Motor Speedway in Cicero ( which was awesome for CART). I'll still support the sport, I'll try to go to the second Daytona race bi annually and try to make Bristol Night race or cross off that Martinsville pilgrimage that I've wanted to do. I'll also try to make the Southern 500 one of these years. This sucks no matter which way you sliced it, my family and I did go to races, to participate and have it ripped away really really hurts. I'm hoping maybe they get an Indy Car race, which was a better show anyway at the track.
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I'm with @Snappy D as a broken hearted fan from the Chicagoland area.

I didn't make it to as many Cup races as Snappy did but I made it to a bunch. I could usually make it to the track from my place on the southside in an hour or less.

I also got out for several Xfinity and truck races over the years in addition to an Indy car race.

Last year my 10 year old grandson and I met Joey Logano (his favorite driver) and came away with pictures and an autograph.

Great times and great memories.

Grandpa, Joey, & Joey Logano.jpg
 
Assuming the rumors are true I'd rate things like this:

- a 2nd date at Darlington, awesome!! Easily the best change on the new schedule. This track never should've lost a race
- COTA and Road America. Very good, but stop here with the road courses.
- Indy road course. Lame. IRP would've been the winning move instead
- Bristol dirt race. Gimmick central. As others have said, if you want to add a dirt race then go to a true dirt track.
- Chicago losing a race. Doesn't bother me but I sympathize with the people in the region who usually attended
- Kentucky losing their race for a 2nd Atlanta date. This surprises me. I won't miss the racing at Kentucky but seemed like the fans liked going there. Atlanta is only getting a 2nd date because of the casino?? Lol typical NASCAR
- Nashville. If this eventually turns into a revival of the Fairgrounds then it's great. But if not not then it's a swing and a miss
 
carolinabuff said:
Overall I think the expected changes are underwhelming. Sure fans clamored for more road courses but what fans REALLY clamored for is more short tracks - so where are the short track additions?

And this was their chance to do something unique and original, like reviving one of the great lost tracks like Rockingham or NW.
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This is the biggest planned scheduling shuffle since the introduction of the Modern Era in 1972...and you're UNDERwhelmed?

I am OVERwhelmed by all the change and can't keep up.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
This is the biggest planned scheduling shuffle since the introduction of the Modern Era in 1972...and you're UNDERwhelmed?

I am OVERwhelmed by all the change and can't keep up.
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Yea they made a lot of changes but that was the expectation. It's what changes they made that I'm underwhelmed with overall.
 
As someone who attended races at Kentucky (made the 9 hour drive from Northeast PA) from 2016 through last year, 2019, this breaks my heart! Kentucky was a bit of a throwback facility imo and had an old school character despite being a modern cookie-cutter. The track had a rural location and there weren't many luxury boxes.

One thing that might be a little lost on Chicago and Kentucky losing a date is Roger Penske's influence and more importantly IMS's influence in that part of the country. It'll be kind of how it "was", Indianapolis and Michigan dominating that part of the country.....
 
Let me guess, we're gonna not let the guys practice for the dirt race too.

Put me down on the list that doesn't care to see this. It's gonna be a caution crazed mess. And how many laps are we running? Lol. One of the few tracks on the circuit that isn't broken and we go and break it.
 
Speedbowl14 said:
This is the biggest planned scheduling shuffle since the introduction of the Modern Era in 1972...and you're UNDERwhelmed?

I am OVERwhelmed by all the change and can't keep up.
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I’m overwhelmed alright....overwhelmed with the pie in the sky decisions. Just my opinion of course but they’re taking a race from their most successful track to make it a Dirt race, potentially taking another one from the most prestigious and tradition filled oval in American Motorsports to its read headed step child Road Course..the only reason being people’s current attention span is at a child’s level and can’t appreciate stock cars racing on one of the greatest ovals in the world, and then take a race from the third largest market in the United Stats because that Amazon Money was oh so good...after repeatedly shooting yourself in the foot there. I’m not optimistic for tomorrow, I’m dreading it actually.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
Let me guess, we're gonna not let the guys practice for the dirt race too.

Put me down on the list that doesn't care to see this. It's gonna be a caution crazed mess. And how many laps are we running? Lol. One of the few tracks on the circuit that isn't broken and we go and break it.
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This. Times 100. I bet they have zero practice there, I’ll tune in for the wreck fest and I can’t look away from a bad idea playing out in real time
 
AdoubleU24 said:
Let me guess, we're gonna not let the guys practice for the dirt race too.

Put me down on the list that doesn't care to see this. It's gonna be a caution crazed mess. And how many laps are we running? Lol. One of the few tracks on the circuit that isn't broken and we go and break it.
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The dirt race at Bristol is absolutely absurd! The truck race at Eldora is good enough as a novelty imo. And to do it at Bristol is just mindboggling. It's like holding the disc golf championship at Augusta National.
 
Nothing to make NASCAR fans love cookie cutters like taking them off the schedule.
 
kkfan91 said:
Nothing to make NASCAR fans love cookie cutters like taking them off the schedule.
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The cookie cutter tracks were built with the same mindset as the cookie cutter multi-purpose stadiums of the 1960s and 70s. While they were often mocked and chided sports fans, especially locals, developed a unique love-hate relationship with them. They took pride in their faceless, Soviet Union designed concrete digs...

The way NASCAR has conducted the schedule for the most part went as I expected minus the Bristol debacle. They tried to preserve the historical tracks as best as possible while bringing in a different wave of new. Due to their similar leadership structure I continue to find many parallels between NASCAR and the PGA Tour in the way they put their respective schedules together.
 
Some takaways i have from the recent rumors...

I like the addition of the road courses... i see the argument that 5 or 6 could be jumping the moon... but im tired of the Cup series style of racing at intermediate tracks, and have been for years... they just dont make for good racing... everytime im sitting down to watch those on TV, im begging for an exciting fuel strategy race... somethings not right about that.

We dont need a Cup Series dirt race... especially in place of one of the current Bristol points races... I really don’t see what the appeal to that is, when Bristol as it is can sell tickets.

the mention of Darlington is really surprising... They seem to have a huge thing going with the southern 500 throwback weekend, Im really surprised if they are entertaining the idea of giving them a second date again... MIGHT be the biggest surprise for me when we see the schedule.

on that same note... anyone considering that some of these tracks might gain/loose a date based on the current state governments laws or regulations as it relates to fan gatherings???

south carolina seems to be ok with gatherings... give them another date next year???

michigian isnt ok with gaterings, take a race away... kentucky, no gatherings... take a race away?

maybe im reaching too far, but maybe that has a large influence on next year’s schedule?
 
JGR_20 said:
We dont need a Cup Series dirt race... especially in place of one of the current Bristol points races... I really don’t see what the appeal to that is, when Bristol as it is can sell tickets.
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Having been to Bristol quite a few times (it's one of the only tracks I live within day's driving distance - around 4 and a half hours), I somewhat agree about the points paying races.
Perhaps if the must try this at Bristol, how about keeping the All Star race there again but have it on dirt. It would also solve the issue of having too many cars on the track at one time with the dirt.
 
Charlie Spencer said:
I understand but I'm asking about prep in case of rain, not discussing the type of vehicles, speeds, quality of racing, etc.
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Or no rain for a week.

Temperature, humidity and the weather forecast for race time are key to deciding how much water to use (or not use). The rest is black art according to the old boy that owned Skagit Speedway in western Washington. It rains a lot here.
 
KodiakRusty89 said:
As someone who attended races at Kentucky (made the 9 hour drive from Northeast PA) from 2016 through last year, 2019, this breaks my heart! Kentucky was a bit of a throwback facility imo and had an old school character despite being a modern cookie-cutter. The track had a rural location and there weren't many luxury boxes.

One thing that might be a little lost on Chicago and Kentucky losing a date is Roger Penske's influence and more importantly IMS's influence in that part of the country. It'll be kind of how it "was", Indianapolis and Michigan dominating that part of the country.....
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Roger is having his pull with IndyCar and NASCAR working together from what it sounds like.
 
kkfan91 said:
Includes likely schedule

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If that schedule is correct (or close), then one thing I notice is Auto Club is in February. It make sense they would try to run it as early in the season as they can to give time for the reconfiguration. However Atlanta in July seems like it would be awfully hot.
Also I see it shows the Indy road course, which I believe will happen, but I think they should still go to the oval as well. I do agree the races have been pretty lackluster there, but that track just has so much history..
 
JGR_20 said:
i love that proposed idea of Road America on July 4...

and Atlanta in July!!! HOTLANTA... I’d guess a night race, but I’m interested in how the slick surface will race, could be fun...

Cool as hell if Darlington is getting that second date again!...
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I'm already thinking about heading to that Road America date
 
Very awesome Atlanta and Darlington are back with two. Bummed they arnt racing the Brickyard 400 on the oval, it’s not the Brickyard anymore so just take it out back and shoot it already. The Road America July 4th date is very enticing, kinda hoping the 4th date was back in Daytona to make a vacation out of it but this will do for now.
 
A lot of quality moves. There is much to like. I'm quite skeptical of their appeal to casuals, but the addition of several road course races unquestionably makes Cup a more rigorous and demanding series. I feel bad for fans in markets that are being abandoned, but the industry made foundational mistakes decades ago and all of the intermediates probably can't be saved.

I'm only for moving the Brickyard to the road course because it means one less low HP / high DF race.

A second Darlington date is a fantastic decision. Now go back to the low DF package for it and Homestead, at a minimum.
 
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I'd prefer they ditch IMS for Montreal or Mexico City (Harvick thinks so too) sooner rather than later but it seems they insist on keeping the "Brickyard".

I'd like to see Gateway at least added back to Xfinity.
 
AuzGrams said:
I'd prefer they ditch IMS for Montreal or Mexico City (Harvick thinks so too) sooner rather than later but it seems they insist on keeping the "Brickyard".
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I agree about adding both of those. However, I'll say this until I'm blue in the face: NBC considers the race at IMS to be the second or third most lucrative date they own the rights to.
 
kkfan91 said:
Includes likely schedule

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A few thoughts if true...

- NASCAR has done a good job of preserving what I consider to be the "historically significant tracks" (Daytona, Darlington, Martinsville, Charlotte, Michigan, Pocono, Talladega, Bristol, Dover and Atlanta) the best they could.
- I don't understand why they didn't include a traditional road course in the playoff. Road America in mid to late September would be an enticing trip! I still rather a second Charlotte race on the oval rather than the roval.
- The July 4th weekend needs some tradition back!
- My thinking is Bristol was close to losing a date because Fox/sponsors hated what the spring race had become attendance/optic wise, NASCAR wanted to maintain the uniqueness/demand of the night race and SMI wanted their second date money so their "genius" idea was a dirt race.
- Roger Penkse really wants IMS to become the dominant track in the Great Lake/"eastern" mid-west part of country again based on everything I see. And his overall influence on NASCAR is very apparent. With that said, I question the IMS road course over the tradition rich rectangle. With Michigan, Chicago and Kentucky losing a race I think there is an opportunity for a traditional Brickyard 400 to regain traction.
- I believe that Michigan, Pocono and Road America will be NASCAR/Indycar double-headers in 2022. I think the Pocono 2021 NASCAR double-header is a one off deal as another good will gesture towards the track ownership.
- Why not a couple weeknight races during the summer?!?
- I knew Darlington was going to get a second date again! I called that one months ago!
- I like Atlanta and I get the business aspects of a second date. Still, this one doesn't excite me...
- Glad Homestead remains! It's a really good, underrated track! Like old Atlanta!
- Having more independent ownership groups at the table should help. What made NASCAR really strong in the 70s, 80s and early 90s was having different perspectives and ideas via track ownership (and tv networks).
- I still favor NBC's direction/leadership over Fox's. The NBC execs imo do a much better job balancing tradition and while being able to effectively evolve relative to Fox.
 
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KodiakRusty89 said:
A few thoughts if true...

- NASCAR has done a good job of preserving what I consider to be the "historically significant tracks" (Daytona, Darlington, Martinsville, Charlotte, Michigan, Pocono, Talladega, Bristol, Dover and Atlanta) the best they could.
- I don't understand why they didn't include a traditional road course in the playoff. Road America in mid to late September would be an enticing trip! I still rather a second Charlotte race on the oval rather than the roval.
- The July 4th weekend needs some tradition back!
- My thinking is Bristol was close to losing a date because Fox/sponsors hated what the spring race had become attendance/optic wise, NASCAR wanted to maintain the uniqueness/demand of the night race and SMI wanted their second date money so their "genius" idea was a dirt race.
- Roger Penkse really wants IMS to become the dominant track in the Great Lake/"eastern" mid-west part of country again based on everything I see. And his overall influence on NASCAR is very apparent. With that said, I question the IMS road course over the tradition rich rectangle. With Michigan, Chicago and Kentucky losing a race I think there is an opportunity for a traditional Brickyard 400 to regain traction.
- I believe that Michigan, Pocono and Road America will be NASCAR/Indycar double-headers in 2022. I think the Pocono 2021 NASCAR double-header is a one off deal as another good will gesture towards the track ownership.
- Why not a couple weeknight races during the summer?!?
- I knew Darlington was going to get a second date again! I called that one months ago!
- I like Atlanta and I get the business aspects of a second date. Still, this one doesn't excite me...
- Glad Homestead remains! It's a really good, underrated track! Like old Atlanta!
- Having more independent ownership groups at the table should help. What made NASCAR really strong in the 70s, 80s and early 90s was having different perspectives and ideas via track ownership (and tv networks).
- I still favor NBC's direction/leadership over Fox's. The NBC execs imo do a much better job balancing tradition and while being able to effectively evolve relative to Fox.
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Me and you think alike, because I agree with your post for the most part.

- Though I don't think NASCAR should be giving Pocono goodwill, it should be staying at 2 races if they chose.

- Charlotte Oval has proven lately to be very hit & miss.

- Weeknight races did not do very well from a ratings standpoint this summer.
 
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I do wish the Brickyard would stay on the oval. Xfinity on the road course is cool but the oval has the cache. The Brickyard has always been one of the most-watched races of the season so whether or not that changes will be something to watch. I get the idea a lot of these will be very short-term arrangements to see how things catch on.

What the reaction is if Atlanta is repaved eventually and still has two races could be amusing. In the interim it’s a good intermediate to have two dates on.

Bristol has major bust potential, imo.

I’m optimistic on Darlington II, COTA, and Road America. And in a couple of years the Auto Club short track.
 
AuzGrams said:
Me and you think alike, because I agree with your post.

Though I don't think NASCAR should be giving Pocono goodwill, it should be staying at 2 races if they chose.
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The reason I say that is Pocono would be the only double-header next year after a lot of people thought double-headers would become common. Maintaining the uniqueness is a HUGE opportunity for the track given how high ticket/camping demand was this year. They just need fans to attend in 2022 to cash in!

Ultimately though, I think Pocono and Michigan and at least one of the road courses (I'll go with Road America) become the focal points of NASCAR/IndyCar weekends starting in 2022. A late June Pocono NASCAR/IndyCar weekend leading up to a July 4 NASCAR/IndyCar weekend at Road America (Road AMERICA!!) would give USA major auto racing a lot of mojo that time of year.

I have good ties to Pocono Raceway and by all accounts Penkse and IndyCar want to return there and Michigan with the new, safer car. Penske has a ton of ties to Eastern PA and knows the open wheel history with the Andretti's (he built/owned Nazareth). He also has a strong affinity for MIS (track he use to own)/ the Motor City and what they meant and still mean collectively. I'm hedging my bets on this happening in some capacity.
 
FLRacingFan said:
I do wish the Brickyard would stay on the oval. Xfinity on the road course is cool but the oval has the cache. The Brickyard has always been one of the most-watched races of the season so whether or not that changes will be something to watch. I get the idea a lot of these will be very short-term arrangements to see how things catch on.

What the reaction is if Atlanta is repaved eventually and still has two races could be amusing. In the interim it’s a good intermediate to have two dates on.

Bristol has major bust potential, imo.

I’m optimistic on Darlington II, COTA, and Road America. And in a couple of years the Auto Club short track.
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Running on the road course defeats the purpose of running at Indy imo. I remember when Formula 1 said they were running a NEW road course at Indy and everyone was pumped because it was at Indy. Then the race happened and everyone realized it was nothing more than a mediocre roval AT Indianapolis Motor Speedway. What makes Indy Indy is the 2.5 mile rectangle. That's where all the history and value resides.
 
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I wonder if the coke 400 will be in the evening because it’s hot during the day.
 
I guess my source was correct a few months back when he said Road America would be within the same week of the Slinger nationals. Maybe I should listen to him more often

Also makes sense because the WI outdoor rock music festivals start up the following week and they bring in a lot of people who travel the country in RV's during the summer. This race will draw HUGE crowds
 
AuzGrams said:
Me and you think alike, because I agree with your post for the most part.

- Though I don't think NASCAR should be giving Pocono goodwill, it should be staying at 2 races if they chose.

- Charlotte Oval has proven lately to be very hit & miss.

- Weeknight races did not do very well from a ratings standpoint this summer.
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I still thought a couple of weeknight races in the summer would have done well attendance/rating wise in a more "normal" climate. Places like Chicago and/or Kentucky would have been great candidates to hang on as weeknight venues due their close proximity to large metro areas.

* I forgot to include Richmond as one of the "historically significant" ovals. Richmond and the 10 tracks I mentioned above are the backbone which this sport was built upon during the modern era, 1972. As long as the schedule stays in the 30-36 date range there should be plenty of room for those 11 tracks to remain so long as they do their part to properly maintain the facility.
 
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