{"id":12291,"date":"2022-11-06T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2022-11-06T13:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=12291"},"modified":"2022-11-19T18:14:18","modified_gmt":"2022-11-19T23:14:18","slug":"steve-phelps-is-correct-nascars-best-days-are-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2022\/11\/06\/steve-phelps-is-correct-nascars-best-days-are-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Phelps is correct NASCAR’s best days are ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the sun sets on another season of NASCAR, President Steve Phelps is correct in his optimism for the future of the league.<\/h3>\n

Four years ago, NASCAR President, Steve Phelps, addressed the media at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He discussed in detail how NASCAR’s best days were ahead. “I know that seemed kind of foolish,” he said. “Maybe some of you were snickering, like, I’m not sure that’s going to happen.”<\/p>\n

I was one of those pessimists<\/a>. At that time, it was for good reason.<\/p>\n

NASCAR was at its nadir. Ratings and attendance had declined for the 13th straight year, and then-Chairman and CEO, Brian France, resigned in disgrace, after his arrest for driving while intoxicated. The on-track product was serviceable at best, but unwatchable at the downforce-centric tracks.<\/p>\n

However, over the next four years, NASCAR’s decisions under Phelps turned me from a pessimist to a cautious optimist. Now, as the curtain call draws near and NASCAR prepares for its 75th anniversary, I share Phelps’ optimism for the future of the league.<\/p>\n

The Good<\/h3>\n

Revival of the Downforce-centric Tracks<\/h4>\n

\"KANSAS<\/p>\n

On May 24, 2020, Brad Keselowski won the Coca-Cola 600<\/a>. Following the race, I noted to a friend that was the worst race I\u2019d ever watched. And I was there when Martin Truex Jr. led all but eight laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Yet watching that race, my friends and I were miserable. Bored out of our minds and annoyed that we wasted our time watching that awful race.<\/p>\n

Of course, Charlotte wasn\u2019t isolated in this regard. This was racing at downforce-centric tracks for over a decade. The high-downforce package made them worse on most days and tolerable on good days. Fast-forward to this season, where thanks to the Next Gen car, downforce-centric tracks have gone from being NASCAR’s worst product to its best.<\/p>\n

No longer is the racing on 1.5-mile tracks a game of follow-the-leader, where overtaking is a Herculean task. No longer is it a matter of who can hold down the gas pedal the longest. Now, tire management and line choice in the turns play a greater role at intermediate tracks.<\/p>\n

Case in point: William Byron<\/strong>\u00a0made a power move on both\u00a0Ross Chastain<\/strong>\u00a0and Truex\u00a0to take the lead at Kansas in May<\/a>. In that same race, Kyle Larson<\/strong>\u00a0made a power move on\u00a0Kurt Busch<\/strong>, but got loose and hit the wall.<\/p>\n

To quote France, it truly is “quintessential NASCAR.” Instead of a poorly handled on-track wreck, it’s now in reference to the revival of the racing on 1.5-mile tracks. Yes, it could be better. Especially with more horsepower and off-throttle time, but right now, the downforce-centric tracks showcase NASCAR at its best.<\/p>\n

Greater Parity Than Ever<\/h4>\n

\"AUSTIN,<\/p>\n

Prior to the season, Jeff Gluck,\u00a0NASCAR beat writer for The Athletic, made the following prediction.<\/p>\n

\n

After Suarez almost won last week and Chastain is leading today, seems like it\u2019s already time to own this freezing cold take from my season predictions. \ud83e\udd76\ud83e\udd76\ud83e\udd76 @JustinMarksDG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DRKbOzoIAG<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 6, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n