NASCAR Road Course Debate Intensifies Amidst Schedule Changes
NASCAR has significantly increased the number of road course events in the Cup Series, adding several tracks beyond the historic duo of Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen. Currently, six road and street courses feature on the schedule, with potential plans for a seventh in San Diego still pending approval.
Prominent drivers are divided over this shift. 2012 Cup Champion Brad Keselowski and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin have voiced opposition to the growing number of road races, calling for a reevaluation of the current slate.
Keselowski stated on social media, “NASCAR was successfully built as a primarily oval racing series. IMSA will always do road racing better than NASCAR… Yes, TOO many road courses in NASCAR.” Similarly, Hamlin expressed disagreement on his podcast, Actions Detrimental, noting, “Six is a lot, considering that we are NASCAR. We’re short track racing, oval racing, full contact type racing.”
Despite his reservations about the road course trend, Hamlin acknowledged the significance of the Chicago Street Course, advocating for its continued presence on the schedule. Conversely, he indicated he could “take it or leave” the other road races.
Adding to the discourse, NASCAR legend Richard Petty raised concerns about how road course victories could alter playoff dynamics. Following Shane van Gisbergen’s recent win in Mexico, Petty remarked, “You got somebody that’s 30th in points that’s going to make the playoffs… You’re making a championship situation by winning a road course, which is not really NASCAR to begin with.”
As NASCAR navigates these challenges, the future of road racing in the series remains a topic of heated discussion, highlighting the evolving landscape of American motorsports.
