Racing on oval tracks and only turning left is the NASCAR habit since its inception in 1948. Seldom making changes to its schedule, NASCAR did always throw in a couple of road courses in the mix to switch things up. Adding more and more courses to its itinerary, the NASCAR Cup Series schedule now boasts 38 Cup Series races in total.

With a rise in the number of Cup Series races, road courses too have become a frequent stop on NASCAR?s schedule. Racing on short tracks, intermediates, superspeedways, and road courses, some drivers have appreciated NASCAR?s diversification of ventures, and others have had their reservations. Now, 23XI Racing?s #23 driver, Bubba Wallace has issued a blunt message to NASCAR.

Bubba Wallace shoots a straight answer

Run on public roads and the beach, the Daytona Beach Road Course was NASCAR?s first advent in the world of road course racing. It was also the second race in NASCAR’s maiden season. Racing on almost 2-3 road courses every year, 1959 and 1962 were the only years when NASCAR steered clear of road circuits, sticking to its ovals.

In recent years, the number of road courses had risen to 6, with NASCAR holding events in COTA, Sonoma, Road America, Indianapolis, The Glen, and Charlotte Roval. For the 2023 season, NASCAR chose to drop the Cup Series event at Road America, freeing up space for its inaugural Chicago Street Course.

Keeping in mind NASCAR?s diversity stance, The Athletic?s Jordan Bianchi recently sat down for a chat with NASCAR drivers. Bianchi questioned drivers, asking, ?What is the right balance between different types of tracks?? To this, Bubba Wallace retorted with a blunt five-word message to NASCAR, saying, ?I?d like less road courses.?

Though many road course fans might consider Wallace to be saying this because of his recent underwhelming performances on road courses this season, Chase Elliott seems to agree.

Chase Elliott endorses Bubba Wallace’s take on road courses

Following the 23XI Racing driver?s answer, Hendrick Motorsports? star driver Chase Elliott too endorsed Wallace?s comments. He said, ?It seems like road racing was really cool because we only did it twice a year, and now we do it like a quarter of the season. I don?t know what the balance is, really, and I don?t know what the right answer to that is. But I am a believer in ‘less is more.’

?I think when you have really special events, I think it?s because they happen once or twice a year.?

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Coming from Elliott, these words certainly carry more weight as compared to Bubba Wallace. Often dubbed as the ‘Road Course King’, his record on road courses is exemplary. Competing in 267 Cup Series races over a nine-year span, Chase Elliott has collected a total of 18 title wins. Of those 18 wins, the 2020 Cup Series champion has won 7 races on road course circuits, only two less than NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon.

The HMS #9 driver?s first Cup Series win was at the Watkin Glen road course in 2018. With 2 wins at both Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval, Elliott has won one race each at the Daytona Road Course, COTA, and Road America. Despite Elliott faring well with the street races, his apprehension might not be all that misplaced. Do you too think NASCAR is overdoing it??

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