Proposing some new twists to the Sprint Cup schedule
NASCAR’s schedule is a fluid part of our sport. It’s a balancing act between growth and tradition, with weather a factor and fairness a concern.
It’s also one of the most debated parts of Sprint Cup Series competition. Defending series champion and driver points leader Kevin Harvick stirred the debate in May when he suggested keeping interest sparked and gaining new fans would depend upon more scheduling creativity.
“If you want to talk about growing the sport, I believe that some venues need one race,” Harvick said at Talladega Superspeedway. “I believe that the schedule needs to be mixed up. People like things that change, they don’t like stagnant things. In my opinion the most stagnant thing in our sport is our schedule and our venues that we go to.
” … And sometimes you just have to change things up to keep the excitement and enthusiasm in the sport.”
We know you have opinions about the schedule, so read the debate between George Winkler and Kathy Sheldon then leave your own thoughts in the comments.
Sheldon: Great balls of fire, it’s hot out there, George. Glad we’re not running in Charlotte this week. But Texas wouldn’t be great, either, with Tropical Storm Bill sweeping through the state. One thing I like about this year’s schedule was the NASCAR Goes West swing coming out of Daytona and Atlanta. A nice run of Las Vegas, Phoenix and Fontana got us to the end of March without heading too far north. I not so fondly remember freezing my digits off at Rockingham one fine February day, though I’d still love to see Rockingham back on the schedule. But there’s the rub, right? A West Coast swing taps new fan bases and made for some fun times like Alex Bowman‘s impromptu spring break party at Phoenix International Raceway. But some longtime fans like things to stay the same.
Winkler: You’re not kidding about the weather, Kathy. And as a West Coast guy who grew up not too far from where Kyle Larson cut his teeth on racing, I totally love the NASCAR Goes West swing, too. It’s great when people get together and do something that makes sense, and from a travel and logistical standpoint, the West Coast swing made it easier on crew members. But as much as I love change, I also have a deep respect for tradition. And one of the things that pleased me about this year’s schedule was putting Darlington back on Labor Day weekend. They’ve added a throwback theme to that race, which will bring back old paint schemes and plenty of memories for a lot of fans. And get this, our own Zack Albert is thinking about wearing throwback reporter gear to that race. Wouldn’t it be a hoot to see him try to write his story on a vintage typewriter?
Sheldon: I love the image of Zack in a Fedora! I love tradition, too, and I think some things should be sacred. The Southern 500. The Daytona 500. July 4th weekend for the summer race at Daytona. But I’m a “change is good” kind of person most of the time. Good thing since we’re in digital media, right? I was thrilled when my hometown of Kansas City built a track, and I’d love to see even more changes in the schedule. I love Kevin Harvick‘s idea of a “wild card” each year. He suggested places like the Milwaukee Mile. That could be a good way to bridge the future and the past. Run once in a while at places the Cup Series has moved away from or embrace one of the home tracks for a big show as a way to reward little tracks where future national series stars — and fans — are born and nurtured.
Winkler: If we run a wild-card race, like Harvick suggests, then it makes sense to put it in an already established track like Milwaukee. Nobody will want to build a track just for that. However, if I were looking strictly at the future and trying to think of places where there might be potential to put on a great show, Denver and the Pacific Northwest come to mind. There’s the Denver tie-in with Furniture Row Racing. Meanwhile, Kasey Kahne and Greg Biffle are both from Washington. There has to be some untapped potential there. If we could extend the West Coast swing by a couple of weeks, it could generate interest in an area of the country that doesn’t get to see NASCAR in person as much.
Sheldon: Good point, George. I’d like to see a race in the Pacific Northwest, too. Maybe a road course? And speaking of different kinds of tracks, let’s adjust the schedule to get a little more diversity in the Chase. Every Chase track is a big speedway except Martinsville. And not one road race is in the bunch. If we really want to push into new territory, run in Mexico or Canada once a year. The trip to Mexico City was a blast, and NASCAR has a legitimate contender from Mexico in Daniel Suarez. Go global!
Winkler: How ’bout a deep-fried chimichanga with bacon, Kathy? Yes, the thought of NASCAR with an international flavor is appealing to me. Also, it seems wrong not to have a short track like Bristol in the Chase. I’d be in favor of rotating Chase venues. Seeing the Irish Hills of Michigan or the Poconos in the fall not only would be picturesque, but it also might force those tracks to play out differently than they do in the summer. Of course, it’s easy for us to say all this. The folks who actually make the schedule deserve all the credit in the world. But I’m excited just thinking about all the possibilities we’ve come up with today. Dare to dream, right?