“Boring”: Talladega Fails NASCAR Fandom’s Expectations as Fuel-Saving Tactics Trigger Massive Outrage

Published 04/22/2024, 3:46 PM EDT

Raw speed is the essence of motorsports. However, NASCAR seems to be losing its anchor on this essential factor. As drivers strongly suspected in pre-race interviews, the GEICO 500 turned out to be a fuel-saver race. Racers paced out their progress throughout the race, desperate to save up for a last-lap dash.

And that has stirred NASCAR fans to squint their eyes at Talladega Superspeedway. Waves of disappointment crashed over social media as the racing community vividly stated their opinions.

NASCAR fans roll their eyes after Talladega

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Ever since the 7th Generation Cup car came out, speed had taken a downturn in NASCAR. Passing has become incredibly difficult, and as a result, drivers opt to save fuel and pit time for last-lap breadcrumbs. Ryan Blaney feared such a situation in Talladega, and Denny Hamlin was worried about the fans: “For the fans’ sake, I hope it’s not a lot (of fuel saving Sunday).”

However, the fans were not given the benefit of the doubt. Drivers engaged in aggressive fuel-saving tactics, especially in the second stage. All the while Fords dominated, and it looked like Michael McDowell or Brad Keselowski would clinch a win. But alas, they tumbled into each other while attempting to pass, as Tyler Reddick rushed to victory, his fuel-saving tactics paying off.

And now fans are flooding Twitter with their disenchantment. In response to Jeff Gluck’s poll, “Was Talladega a good race?”, they immediately bared their bitter opinions.

Was Talladega a good race?
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) April 22, 2024

One fan quipped: “Fuel-saving was boring. Even the last stretch of racing was so-so. The field couldn’t form a third lane. If you were in 15th you were just stuck there riding.”

Fuel saving was boring. Even the last stretch of racing was so-so. The field couldn’t form a third lane. If you were in 15th you were just stuck there riding.
— Caleb (@calebisanidiot) April 22, 2024

Somebody adopted a savage and sarcastic tone: “Didn’t watch the 2nd stage because I was busy, but seemed like a great race, especially after the Toyota’s wrecked”.

One fan vehemently said: “One of the worst SS races in quite some time”. Another brushed off the race with a hilarious reference: “As a whole, nah… lol. Just a bunch of skittles swirling a really big toilet bowl…And a No is a hard vote for me to cast”.

As a whole, nah… lol. Just a bunch of skittles swirling a really big toilet bowl
And a No is a hard vote for me to cast
— Graham (cow)Bell (@GrahamHilll) April 22, 2024

One fan took jabs at the poor coverage along with fuel-saving. “Yes and no , the coverage was horrible and the first 2 stages were not exciting . The end was classic Talladega but I think the fuel saving method really hampered the whole race .”

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As the fuel-saving tactic declined the race quality, it also axed any opportunity to hone one’s Cup racing skills. Josh Berry laid this down before the Talladega race began.

SHR rookie cast doubt over ‘learning’

Josh Berry is just starting out his Cup journey with Stewart-Haas Racing. Before 2024, he had just made two starts and hence is still getting educated in Cup racing. On his 12th Cup start at Talladega Superspeedway, he got caught up with the fuel-saving strategy and finished 16th. Berry pointed out that this tactic is hardly helpful for rookie drivers like himself, as it defeats the purpose of true racing, or gaining track position.

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Berry said pre-race: “It’s a little easier for the guys with more experience just to commit to the fuel saving. But for someone like me that’s still learning, I think it’s important to balance actually racing some and getting some experience with pushing and receiving pushes and trying to race up front and keep some track position.”

As fans and drivers clamor against the Next Gen car’s parity problems, will NASCAR pay heed to the situation?

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Written by:

Sumedha Mukherjee is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports who is known for her in-depth track analysis as well as her lifestyle coverage of Cup drivers like Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick. Inspired by the Kiwi's journey so far, Sumedha has also written pieces on Shane Van Gisbergen, predicting how the Supercars Champion would do in the new and unfamiliar American setting. Pairing her research skills with her vast experience as a writer, Sumedha creates stories her readers can easily get lost in.

Edited by:

Garima Yadav

“Boring”: Talladega Fails NASCAR Fandom’s Expectations as Fuel-Saving Tactics Trigger Massive Outrage

NASCAR fans roll their eyes after Talladega

SHR rookie cast doubt over ‘learning’

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