2026 NASCAR

[220]

What does everyone think of the new points format?
I dont think it will make much difference to the final makeup of the chase 16.
If you applied the current points system to last season SVG would have made the cut, 4 wins and an average oval finish of 25th would have been good enough.
650-660 points will be the cut line, with 3 wins and 225 points after 4 races an average finish of 18th for the remainder of the season will see Reddick above the cut line even with 0 stage points. A 4th win would result in an average finish in the 20's a 5th somewhere around SVG's 25th last season.
Win and your in might not be a thing anymore but multiple wins almost guarantees a spot in the chase.
For those trying to point their way into the final places nothing has changed, there are no more points for any finishing position other than 1st, no change in stage points. Nothing has changed for them in fact stage racing isnt as valuable with no playoff points for stage winners.

[Sir Henry]

I watched five minutes of the Phoenix race and didn’t see many fans in the stands. It seems fewer and fewer people are liking the cars and the rules. I especially dislike the stages.

[220]

I watched five minutes of the Phoenix race and didn’t see many fans in the stands. It seems fewer and fewer people are liking the cars and the rules. I especially dislike the stages.

I am not against the stage racing and points as such but the caution that comes with them I certainly dislike. I love the fact they increased the points for a win, a win now means you will be highest points scorer at a race, winning both stages and finishing 2nd in the race will now only give equal points to the winner. No longer is there the situation where the race winner might only be the 5th highest points scorer at a race.
Crowds are certainly down against what they were 20 years ago but the Texas road course at COTA actually drew its largest attendance ever and a crowd bigger than 50% of oval tracks draw.
The HP increase, decreased downforce and tires that actually show a real speed drop over longer runs looks to have improved the actual racing.
Drivers look to be making a real difference this year, Blaney drove through the field twice on the weekend despite only qualifying 5th. SVG only qualified 18th but drove from the back to inside the top 10 twice after spins.
I would say give it a chance, if you take the time to sit down and watch the actual racing has been better than it has been for a long time.

[Sir Henry]

I watched five minutes of the Phoenix race and didn’t see many fans in the stands. It seems fewer and fewer people are liking the cars and the rules. I especially dislike the stages.

I am not against the stage racing and points as such but the caution that comes with them I certainly dislike. I love the fact they increased the points for a win, a win now means you will be highest points scorer at a race, winning both stages and finishing 2nd in the race will now only give equal points to the winner. No longer is there the situation where the race winner might only be the 5th highest points scorer at a race.
Crowds are certainly down against what they were 20 years ago but the Texas road course at COTA actually drew its largest attendance ever and a crowd bigger than 50% of oval tracks draw.
The HP increase, decreased downforce and tires that actually show a real speed drop over longer runs looks to have improved the actual racing.
Drivers look to be making a real difference this year, Blaney drove through the field twice on the weekend despite only qualifying 5th. SVG only qualified 18th but drove from the back to inside the top 10 twice after spins.
I would say give it a chance, if you take the time to sit down and watch the actual racing has been better than it has been for a long time.

Thanks. I may just do that.

[RetiredSeabee]

I still watch when I realize there is a race on and I don’t have something else to do. For the last few years the racing has been pretty boring so I just lost interest. The caution on the stages was really bad. I do like the changes to the points giving the winner a boost. I still think that NASCAR management has more work to do to gain fans back. I hope they knock off the gimmick races to try to interest “new fans” and get back in touch with the fans they have lost.

[220]

6 races in and the 45 team with Reddick have won 4, they are on fire, they seem to get the car into the window every week, have speed and Reddick is doing everything right on track.
It certainly looks like you can totally miss the performance window and simply not find it at all with this setup. Lagano and the 22 team missed it on Sunday, no in race drama no spins, accidents or pit road issues, just no speed laps down and nothing they did during the race improved things. The week before it was SVG and the 97 that missed it and ran around all day laps down.
Martinsville this weekend, first short track for the season, I am expecting SVG to run top 10 maybe even top 5. He has 2 top 15 finished from 3 starts at Martinsville, with the braking, gear changes and putting the power down off the turns it is as close as an oval gets to a road course. With the extra horsepower this year tire conservation is critical, he is the king of tire conservation on road courses even when he was racing here in Aus he was a level above most other drivers at conserving tires and having pace at the end of runs. It is starting to be seen on ovals and this season he is often among the fastest cars on track at the end of long runs.

[220]

Once again I didnt take my own advice, I am not a gambler but said to my wife yesterday I should put some money on SVG for the win at 13000 and see what odds I could get for a top 5 finish. Qualifying is done and he will start 5th, despite 2 top 15 finishes from 3 starts at Martinsville he had never qualified better than 22nd and actually had an average starting position 28th.
He has really stepped up his oval racing this season and I think while he might need another year or two before he is the hunt for a championship I think you can lock him in for the chase.

[cooperhawk]

It's Bristol Baby! Bumper cars on a pool table. Thunder Valley! Love it!

I miss the days when Kyle Bush was driving for the Gibbs team.

[cooperhawk]

As they say, "The World's Fastest Conveyer Belt!".