Stage racing on road courses

MRM

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I'm not a big fan of stage racing, but I haven't called for the end of it. But after yesterday's race at Sonoma, I think stage racing on road course should go away. The race yesterday was nothing but getting to the last stage and going with your stragedy. They could have run a 60-lap race and been done with it. I seem to recall last year's race was about the same. If they want to keep stages, at least only do two and cut the race into two halves.
 
Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V from the race thread yesterday:

At least at Sonoma, the deal with stages is that they segregate the field into those who play to win and those who play for points. If you want to race for the win you pit a couple of laps prior to the stage end (especially in Stage 2). If you're playing for points you pit during the stage cautions. Unless you have an incredible car or not many have opted into pitting early, you're probably not winning from pitting under the last stage break - assuming all stays green as it did today.

With no stages it's more of a decision between 2-stopping or 3-stopping and when do you time those stops to maximize your strategy.
 
Many teams stayed out and gathered the extra points when others came in to the pits. It was announced who got points for staying out. It split a lot of the field with different strategy's in a race where that already happens most of the time anyway. Confusion continues to reign with this points system, but Elliott, Johnson, and Keselowski had a good points day, and I wouldn't have known that unless I read it by somebody who took the time to explain it. I know when NBC starts I will hear more of it than a person can stand unless they are used to the Chinese water drip torture system.
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I'm not a big fan of stage racing, but I haven't called for the end of it. But after yesterday's race at Sonoma, I think stage racing on road course should go away. The race yesterday was nothing but getting to the last stage and going with your stragedy. They could have run a 60-lap race and been done with it. I seem to recall last year's race was about the same. If they want to keep stages, at least only do two and cut the race into two halves.



I consider the start of the race to be when they are done playing with their stages.
 
It's commonly understood strategy that you want to pit before the cautions on a road course. Stage breaks are scheduled cautions, so obviously everyone wanting to win will pit as late as possible before pit road closes. Pitting during the breaks is a guaranteed trip to the back of the field.

On the other hand, NASCAR wants its breaks so the network can run ads and jaw-jack with the stage winners (gods only know why), so they aren't going anywhere regardless of what we-uns think 'round these heah parts.
 
It's commonly understood strategy that you want to pit before the cautions on a road course. Stage breaks are scheduled cautions, so obviously everyone wanting to win will pit as late as possible before pit road closes. Pitting during the breaks is a guaranteed trip to the back of the field.

On the other hand, NASCAR wants its breaks so the network can run ads and jaw-jack with the stage winners (gods only know why), so they aren't going anywhere regardless of what we-uns think 'round these heah parts.



We uns pay the bills .............. all of them
 
Stages suck. Stages really suck at a road course.
If nothing else gets returned to its original state, road course racing should be at least. The pure, core form of road course racing is always entertaining and more often than not we see Sonoma and Watkins Glen produce two of the best races on the calendar.
 
I don't mind stage racing, but it seems a bit unnecessary on road courses.

I also don't understand why they have stages at Homestead. Are they trying to collect stage points for the banquet?
 
I don't mind stage racing, but it seems a bit unnecessary on road courses.

I also don't understand why they have stages at Homestead. Are they trying to collect stage points for the banquet?
The stage points could be really meaningful for the ghost cars of the rest of the field where close battles for final positions could be happening, but we won't ever know that
 
Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V from the race thread yesterday:

Yours was a good explanation of the specific issues with stages at road courses. I can't take the parsing of where stage racing works and doesn't that seriously. It is a ridiculous conceit period, though I acknowledge that it is more disruptive at some tracks than others.

Awarding championship points for performance in the first quarter and half of races is absurd. The scheduled cautions are stupid too, but as previously discussed, relatively better than phony debris cautions issued at race control's whim. Like how losing a finger is preferable to losing an arm.
 
It's no doubt a compromise the stages are. In the case of Sonoma that was almost caution less, getting the commercials in wasn't easy, but most of the race was shown with the stages being in place.
 
Wholistically speaking
the inorganic nature of stages defiles the race, and prevents the best racing chemistry.

Just study the organic exhibit and let the most profound thoughts marinate, and you shall know the truth
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I don't mind stage racing, but it seems a bit unnecessary on road courses.

I also don't understand why they have stages at Homestead. Are they trying to collect stage points for the banquet?
Stage points do not count for the final four drivers.
 
I also don't understand why they have stages at Homestead. Are they trying to collect stage points for the banquet?
They're trying to determine final finishing positions for the season. That affects a lot, including team performance bonuses and whether a 'Bottom 3' team keeps its charter.
 
If nothing else gets returned to its original state, road course racing should be at least. The pure, core form of road course racing is always entertaining and more often than not we see Sonoma and Watkins Glen produce two of the best races on the calendar.

I agree with this. I love road course racing and that’s what got me so fired up this weekend, the stages have turned it into a joke
 
^^^^^^THIS THIS THIS!!!!^^^^^^ I tell NASCAR this on every NASCAR Fan Council survey I fill out every week!
Unfortunately, this defeats the purpose of having stages in the first place. They need cautions to show commercials and that's it. Plus it helps bunch the field up.

The funny thing is, that I was able to watch 45+ minutes of soccer uninterrupted but they can't squeeze out 10 laps of a Nascar race without some graphic, side by side, or full commercial break. Perhaps this is the reason people are tuning out. I'm tired of watching commercials.
 
Unfortunately, this defeats the purpose of having stages in the first place. They need cautions to show commercials and that's it. Plus it helps bunch the field up.

The funny thing is, that I was able to watch 45+ minutes of soccer uninterrupted but they can't squeeze out 10 laps of a Nascar race without some graphic, side by side, or full commercial break. Perhaps this is the reason people are tuning out. I'm tired of watching commercials.

@LouieLouie, if it was not for the DVR, I would not watch a Nascar Race on TV, plain and simple.

I already know I will have my Nascar Race DVR recording on Mute most of the time when Rick Allen gets back in the booth.
 
@LouieLouie, if it was not for the DVR, I would not watch a Nascar Race on TV, plain and simple.

I already know I will have my Nascar Race DVR recording on Mute most of the time when Rick Allen gets back in the booth.

Unfortunately, I ditched my cable box a few years ago and haven't had a DVR since. Fast Forwarding thru commercials during sporting events is really the only thing I miss it for, but I don't miss the expense of the cable. I think I can get a DVR with my Roku/SlingTV somehow but I haven't really looked into it much.
 
Unfortunately, I ditched my cable box a few years ago and haven't had a DVR since. Fast Forwarding thru commercials during sporting events is really the only thing I miss it for, but I don't miss the expense of the cable. I think I can get a DVR with my Roku/SlingTV somehow but I haven't really looked into it much.

Unless I am at the Track, I am doing other things, outside of the home, during 95% of the races on TV. Not only does the DVR let me blow through commercials and allow for wow moments to back up a few seconds, it also basically allows me to watch the race at all, without it I would miss a lot of races.
 
I was going to post my most intense thoughts about the stimulating organic exhibit. Butt they wouldn't t like it.....

I get that some of y'all laugh at the use of phrases such as natural and organic. You know what races playing out naturally means, and I think you're on the same page that it is generally better when they do.
 
I get that some of y'all laugh at the use of phrases such as natural and organic. You know what races playing out naturally means, and I think you're on the same page that it is generally better when they do.
Absolutely, I just break into full internet mode sometimes with the 'organic' word.
 
Absolutely, I just break into full internet mode sometimes with the 'organic' word.
Using the word organic, a term used mostly for composting soil and produce, and natural as in nature to describe an ever changing mechanical racing series will always get a laugh.
 
Using the word organic, a term used mostly for composting soil and produce, and natural as in nature to describe an ever changing mechanical racing series will always get a laugh.

It is the essence of the natural organic pulp rather than the actual pulp, that transforms the heart and soul.
That drives a racer child's hot wheels cars through the dirt in a great race. The passion possess him and makes him crazy enough to flip over old carpet rugs and use the masking tape to tape out an oval complete with a pit lane. To run his indoor little car races that are great, and drives him to want it all his life.

That racing organic stuff drives and delivers the real end result. A real and tangible young man who can't do anything but be a racer.
And we used to have better grassroots and a more fertile ground.
 
It is the essence of the natural organic pulp rather than the actual pulp, that transforms the heart and soul.
That drives a racer child's hot wheels cars through the dirt in a great race. The passion possess him and makes him crazy enough to flip over old carpet rugs and use the masking tape to tape out an oval complete with a pit lane. To run his indoor little car races that are great, and drives him to want it all his life.

That racing organic stuff drives and delivers the real end result. A real and tangible young man who can't do anything but be a racer.
And we used to have better grassroots and a more fertile ground.

true grit spoken Kemosibe, but the great spirit has spoken, three breaks to water and tend to the shoes of our steeds.
 
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