NASCAR CEO talks dirt racing, tracks with multi-configurations and road racing
NASCAR is diverse. They run on dirt tracks, ovals and road courses. Yet, despite that diversity the schedule would still appear highly stale. Way too many 1.5-mile tracks stand out like a sore thumb on the schedule.
Charlotte Motor Speedway has stepped up with a big swing and an attempt to fix that. They have placed the Roval in the NASCAR playoffs. In summery, it’s an oval with a road course portion. Pocono Raceway stated they would open their road course to keep their second date on the schedule.
But, a multi configuration track doesn’t have to be a road course. A 1-mile oval track could fit inside of a 1.5 or 2-mile oval. Then, there’s dirt tracks.
Will we see more race tracks running multi-configurations?
“I don’t think it’s out of the question. On the Monster level, they continue to be just popular events. When you go to Sears Point [Sonoma Raceway], the crowd looks big. It’s always sold out at Watkins Glen,” Brian France stated to Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
“The Roval will be interesting. That’s a hybrid of the two.”
“I think we’re the best road racing show in town. I think we do a good job of that. I would see more of that, not less of that.”
“Don’t know exactly how it flows out in terms of the schedule. Will there be more Rovals? Or more this or more that? But, I will tell you in general. Road racing is more popular now, than ever.”
“IMSA, our brand of road racing that we’ve been trying to do for a number of years… Is more popular than ever.”
“The way we do road racing is kinda how we do NASCAR. Flat out to the floor, lots of pushing around and close, tight racing. That’s what we do.
Can we expect a NASCAR Cup Series dirt race?
Ahead of the 2018 Dirt Derby, Tony Stewart made a push for a NASCAR Xfinity Series or Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Eldora Speedway. The bomb was dropped and the discussion resurfaced in a hurry.
Tony Stewart believes firmly that his track could host either division. If the trucks can do it, the cars can as well. He’s correct. However, there’s still an issue with that schedule.
“Probably not going to have that phone call anytime soon. The schedule’s pretty full.”
“But, he’s doing a great job running Eldora. And the other things that he’s going on the dirt track stuff. Good for him.”
P.S. My solution is to make it a Wednesday or Thursday show and just add a date. Do it the week ahead of an off weekend and everyone is happy.
The roval, a dirt race, road course racing… NASCAR has a little bit of everything.
“My uncle’s done a great job of developing road racing,” France refers to IMSA. “Our view is… if it’s motorsports and it’s what people want to see and watch then we want to be a part of it.”
“Now with ARCA under the NASCAR fold. We’re all things in motorsports. We’re trying to do that right job. After 70 years, I hope we do things right. That’s our goal anyway.”
“I think we’re having a good year. Things are changing a lot in sports. That’s a given with how things are being consumed. More digital, more this, more that.”
“We’re trying to meet their needs. In terms of how they take in NASCAR.”
More
Related: 2018 Eldora Dirt Derby Results
Related: Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr want a second NASCAR race at Eldora Speedway
Related: Chase Briscoe would like a NASCAR Cup Series race at Eldora
Related: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby TV Ratings
Related: Tim McCreadie has ‘no interest’ in running the Eldora Dirt Derby
Related: 2017 Eldora Dirt Derby TV Ratings
Related: Humpy Wheeler comments on the possibility of a NASCAR sale
Related: Pocono Road Course could host a NASCAR event
Related: Kyle Larson isn’t in favor of the NASCAR Cup Series on dirt tracks
Related: Mansfield Motor Speedway is open to hosting a NASCAR dirt race
