Numbers could be moved for the 2022 season; Steve Phelps comments
NASCAR placement has been a big discussion for the last few years. The sport has been exploring options for moving the number from the center of the door to other locations.
Pushing the numbers forward or backward allows for more surface area on the door. A lot more. This is highly valuable billboard space in the area of sponsorship.
Meanwhile, most fans, likely you included, are highly against moving the numbers.
A test was conducted in 2020. During the All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the bumbers were pushes backwards. Much larger sponsor logos appeared on the door as a result of the change.
Recently, the Race Team Alliance, which features a voice from all of the major teams in the sport have ordered a study from Nielson. The study is to gauge the value of moving the numbers to create larger sponsorship area.
On Wednesday, NASCAR released the body shapes of the Next Gen cars. Each manufacture elected to use the door in a different way regarding logo placement. It caused questions to be asked regarding numbers for 2022.
Related: NASCAR 2022 car shapes revealed (Video)
Steve Phelps talks NASCAR number placement
“No decisions yet on the numbers,” NASCAR president Steve Phelps said.
“That was really the decision of the manufacturers, how they were going to do the styling of their own vehicles, the paint-outs, which wheels they were going to put on because there are different wheel options they could have. That was really up to them.”
“We’re doing some research right now. We did some research when we did the numbers initially at All-Star last year.”
“You know what, it’s mixed. There are some fans that absolutely hate it, and there are fans that absolutely love it, so no decision as to what we’re going to do on where those numbers are going to be placed.”
He concluded, “We’re working with our teams on it. The teams are fielding a study, as well, right now. So that’s kind of a TBD.”
An official announcement regarding 2022 number placement is expected in the Summer.
Links
Ford Performance | Team Chevy | Toyota Racing Development | NASCAR
