During TNT’s race day coverage at Sonoma, a valid question of whether or not a NASCAR road course should be part of the Chase was raised. Despite a fan poll run during the debate showing a majority of fans would approve of such a move, it was suggested by a presenter that there shouldn’t be a road course race in the chase as they aren’t prominent in the pre-chase calendar. This then leading to the same presenter suggesting that more of these should be on the calendar in order to warrant having a chase slot.
94% of the Sprint Cup series calendar is dominated by the left turn, oval shaped circuits with just two road courses hosted by Sonoma and Watkins Glen. Road courses provide the extra challenge of left and right hand turns, exterting more wear than usual on the left side tyres and increasing fuel consumption due to the additional usage of the brakes. With these extra challenges comes a variety of strategies – both the pit and fuel windows being further apart allowing over taking via pit stops giving a driver another chance to overtake his rival if all else fails on track.
NASCAR Road Courses – Alternative Challenges to Circuit Racing
With NASCAR constantly being referred to as ‘driving around in circles’, the use of more road courses could help to turn these critics around but with current fans already disenchanted with the lack of short circuit racing, it will be tough to find a balance in which both groups of people will be satisfied. In Sonoma we saw the likes of A.J. Allmedinger and Marcos Ambrose run closer to the front than usual – their road course backgrounds giving them that extra leg up and with wins more important than usual this year, this could be a golden opportunity for the drivers who would normally struggle to have a look in for a chase field slot. When you scout through social media, you see fans complain about the same drivers winning, in particular Jimmie Johnson. So what better way to for the winners list throughout the year be more diverse and to try keep fans from swaying away than throwing a couple more road courses in during the year?
It’s common practice in an oval race for a full course caution to be thrown just for a shred of debris but with the ability to keep it local on road courses, the field can still race without being stuck behind the pace car for too long. With the series officials looking to shake things up, introducing more road courses could be the gimmick and caution free idea they need.
With NASCAR president, Mike Helton, declaring earlier in June that he wouldn’t rule out a road course gaining a chase slot, it’s possible the reality isn’t too far away. It’s not a necessity to add road courses to the calendar but there would be more diversity, provide a shake up, help to attract more fans – all of which is concern of fans and officials alike. As with any motor-racing series, it’s important that it doesn’t stray too far from it’s roots and take away why fans fell in love with it in the first place but as with everything in life, you need to follow the demand.
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