Last weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR experimented with a new format. To be precise, the Cup Series race ran without stage breaks for the first time since 2016. This would only be applicable for road course races, so this will be seen again at Sonoma, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Watkins Glen. Now, as reported by Frontstretch, this format has had its fair share of critics and supporters. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr knows where he stands concerning this format.
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He mentioned on The Dale Jr. Download podcast, “I really enjoyed the no-stage-breaks this weekend at COTA. I want NASCAR to try it at the short tracks with the Trucks and the Xfinity cars.
“I raced in Martinsville Xfinity race. And there’s no damn reason for a caution stage break in that event. There’s plenty of natural yellows for the Truckers and the Xfinity guys in Martinsville. They’re gonna run over each other, and give you all the yellows you need. I hope that that could be considered.”
Does Dale Earnhardt Jr have a point?
Honestly speaking, Dale Jr could be right, as there can be times when tense racing moments are interrupted by a stage break. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with NASCAR wanting to experiment with new formats. If it can help improve the spectacle and if the fans enjoy it, then they know that they have got a winning formula.
That was why Junior suggested that the format be introduced to short tracks as well.
Of course, you don’t want to suddenly spring it on the Cup Series drivers. So the better option would be to have trial runs with the Truck Series and Xfinity Series. If the reception is fairly positive, then only it would feasible to integrate it into the Cup Series.
According to Junior, short tracks, such as the .526-mile Martinsville Raceway, would be the perfect place because stage breaks are probably not needed there.
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