A 40-event season might be too long for some tastes, maybe some teams, too
With the possibility of new tracks in the New York City area and the Pacific Northwest, as well as Texas, Las Vegas and Phoenix tracks seeking a second Nextel Cup event, it seems inevitable the 36-race schedule will increase to 40 or more in the next year or two.
It's a daunting prospect for many in NASCAR, already worn down by racing almost every weekend from February through November.
But third-generation racer and team owner Kyle Petty says the increased schedule could work to everyone's benefit - if it's done right.
"If they made some adjustments and looked at it carefully, yeah, we could run 40 or more races each season," Petty said. "I don't really have any problems with, say, a Wednesday or Thursday night race, followed by a weekend somewhere.
"The key would be to make the midweek show a one-day affair and be close enough that you could get back to your shop and swap everything out for a two-day weekend race somewhere."
Petty also noted a prime-time broadcast during the week could be very attractive to NASCAR's TV partners, scheduled to begin negotiations for a new contract in 2005.
"If it helps us bring in bigger numbers by running a prime-time race during the week, then that just works for everybody," Petty said. "If more people are watching, that means the fans like what's going on. If the fans are happy, our sponsors are sure going to be happy."
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With the possibility of new tracks in the New York City area and the Pacific Northwest, as well as Texas, Las Vegas and Phoenix tracks seeking a second Nextel Cup event, it seems inevitable the 36-race schedule will increase to 40 or more in the next year or two.
It's a daunting prospect for many in NASCAR, already worn down by racing almost every weekend from February through November.
But third-generation racer and team owner Kyle Petty says the increased schedule could work to everyone's benefit - if it's done right.
"If they made some adjustments and looked at it carefully, yeah, we could run 40 or more races each season," Petty said. "I don't really have any problems with, say, a Wednesday or Thursday night race, followed by a weekend somewhere.
"The key would be to make the midweek show a one-day affair and be close enough that you could get back to your shop and swap everything out for a two-day weekend race somewhere."
Petty also noted a prime-time broadcast during the week could be very attractive to NASCAR's TV partners, scheduled to begin negotiations for a new contract in 2005.
"If it helps us bring in bigger numbers by running a prime-time race during the week, then that just works for everybody," Petty said. "If more people are watching, that means the fans like what's going on. If the fans are happy, our sponsors are sure going to be happy."
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