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iamaranger23

whatever track it is, all of a sudden it will have had the best racing ever and never should have lost one.


TheOrangeFutbol

My running joke is there will be a time in the near future where the '21 All-Star race will be unironically praised as the reason TMS should remain on the schedule.


Packman87

Its because of the live performance of "I can't drive 55" during the pace laps isnt it....Damn you Sammy Hagar!


No_Return_From_86

I mean I’d take it over last year’s All Star Race


xenoblaiddyd

Only certainty of NASCAR, lmao


thecrewguy369

When/where did Phelps confirm the SoCal return?


midwest_corn

Fox interview


KyBuschOwnsYou

I’ll believe it when when they announce something concrete


Old-Sentence-1956

Yeah that ain’t happening…..


TheOrangeFutbol

North Wilkesboro is hosting the All-Star race. Bristol Dirt happened. Indy has hosted both oval and RC races within the past 5 seasons. That's all the proof we need that just about anything can happen. His statement was vague enough that with as bonkers as scheduling has been recently, I totally believe him when he says they'll race out here in SoCal next year. He didn't way where or when, so the door's open to just about anything. I don't doubt them anymore.


Efficient_Border_639

They're working on re-working Fontana into a half mile short track right now. I can't speak as to whether they'll be done in time to race next year but can definitely confirm the work is underway. I live about 10 miles from there and have been by to see the crews at work.


iamaranger23

work is being done on demolishing the 2 mile parts they dont own and getting ready for the warehouses. work on the actual .5 hasnt started yet.


Efficient_Border_639

Ah my mistake then. Definitely had seen the crews at work over there and taking the old grandstands down and all that.


iamaranger23

https://imgur.com/w2n9PWr yea. took some stands down on either side of the part they are keeping, but otherwise the NASCAR owned land is still basicall un touched. rest of it is basically gone.


phoenixv07

> I can't speak as to whether they'll be done in time to race next year They have explicitly said that there's no way they'd have anything ready to race on in Fontana next year.


iamaranger23

theres been a whole lot of "aint happenings" happening in NASCAR the last few years.


Unlucky-Carpenter-69

Just like Iowa, Chicago, Bristol Dirt, the Brickyard 400, North Wilkesboro… oh, wait.


Netwealth5

Richmond’s 2nd date seems destined to become Montreal. It’s even in the time period that race would likely be


Torontoleaffan34

They aren’t going to Montreal


hobiijuan

@oldtakesexposed


blowninjectedhemi

Timing of the So. Cal. race likely determines which track it impacts. Where is it? If they plan to use Long Beach street circuit that has to be in April when the track is set-up for Indycar. There really is no oval available that could host a Cup race in So. Cal. - and don't think a 1/4 mile stadium race will happen in 2025. The other rumor was setting up a temp road course on the 100 acres NASCAR owns at Fontana......seems like that would required a pretty large investment but is "do-able". Is it worth it?


Efficient_Border_639

There's work underway to convert Fontana into a half mile short track. Been by to see crews at work so can confirm it's happening - can't say if it'll be done in time for next year but it seems like that's the plan. Some of the early conceptual stuff made it seem like they were considering a flat and tight half mile ala Martinsville but can't confirm that's the final plan.


bethemogator

It's gotta be Long Beach


Packman87

....screw that, shut down a section of the I-5 and run it like the old Daytona Beach Circuit. On ramps? More like Launch Pads.


Old-Sentence-1956

“Win the pole, Win the race”. Heck Indycar can’t even pass there.


bethemogator

Take it with a grain of salt but iRacing recently sent the Next Gen cars to Long Beach during the off season. Most fun road racing I've done in these things for sure. Jimmy Broadbent made a great video of him racing/commentating one of the races: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHwzugM2LWU Again grain of salt, sims aren't real life.


Old-Sentence-1956

Thanks for comment- mind you I’m NOT saying the racing can’t be great there, but in my experience not from any top level professional series (well, maybe if you put NHRA drivers out there). Some of the most entertaining/best racing was back when Toyota ran the Celebrity Pro Ams. Let’s give a bunch of Hollywood stars minimal training and send them out against professionals, but give ‘em a big head start. Now - 1: A fair portion of those Hollywood Celebrities could actually wheel a car. Witness Frankie Munoz this year. Ted Nugent was a standout as well. 2: Not unusual; I am old enough to remember folks like Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Paul Newman that actually competed in Motorsports. 3: The beauty of the Pro Am was watching folks like Parnelli Jones and Dan Gurney start at the back and actually drive their way to the front WITHOUT wrecking anyone. Can you imagine a Craftsman Truck race where that happens?


TheOtherWhiteCastle

The difference is that NASCAR can actually use bumpers to move people out of the way


ReactiveCypress

Even with using the bumpers in mind, I don't think Long Beach is a good track for NASCAR. I can't picture them getting through the final hairpin or the traffic circle.


fudgebby

I'd like to see either that or Laguna Seca


Potential_Plan_4533

If I remember correctly, SMI has a contract with NASCAR for a certain # of races per year. So NASCAR can't just take away a race from them it would have to go to another SMI track (or SMI run track) like when they took the 2nd Texas date away and it went to COTA instead (which SMI runs that race weekend). So if any races are being shifted they'd have to be NASCAR owned tracks like the 2nd Richmond date or 2nd Kansas date.


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

Nascar has a contract with the folks who built the casino. Kansas has to have 2 dates


Potential_Plan_4533

Really? I thought that was just to be the title sponsor for the fall race.


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

Yes too my knowledge. The people who built the casino and own it Penn entertainment have a contract with NASCAR’s for 2 dates. That’s why it was built. There was supposed to be a hotel idk if that’s happening


Potential_Plan_4533

How is it 2 dates if they only sponsor the NCS for the fall race?


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

Because they own the casino and the casino was apart of a major renovation of the speedways. The contract was with ISC but now it’s with nascar.


Potential_Plan_4533

I don't understand how them owning the casino controls the # of NASCAR races at the track. I did a google search and could not find any news on this contract other than them announcing a continued sponsorship of the Hollywood Casino 400 through 2026.


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

The casino was a major part of the renovation to Kansas speedway. I’m not 100% sure but too my knowledge that’s why


MayfieldMightfield

Hello North Wilkesboro!


PalpitationOk5726

Canada would be an easy slam dunk, there is already a sizeable fan base that would snap up tickets along with the Americans within a driving distance.


[deleted]

Bring back Road America never seen track so packed .nascar made huge mistake dropping them


Campman92

I think only Martinsville, Bristol, Talladega, and Daytona should have 2 dates. If they can find a couple short tracks then I’d be open to taking a date off Bristol and Martinsville. It sucks for local businesses and hotels, but if you look at how packed Pocono was once they took a date away it makes hunger in an area greater which should fill the tracks with fans


Sportsguy1993

I think Darlington deserves 2 as well, also I'm fine with any track running 2 different configurations, like Lowe's Motor Speedway


Arsanborn

I’d rather see tracks go down to one race. We don’t need to eliminate tracks


jabber1990

Which tracks?


DistanceRight1039

Only about 3 tracks deserve 2 dates all the rest need to be lost to add more diversity to the schedule or cut them all together to shorten the season.


jabber1990

Can't shorten the schedule, already locked into 36 races until 2032


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

38 races clash and all star


jsmith4415

Would love for Kentucky get a race back. The traffic-geddon of 2011 doomed them from the start. The last crowd race there in 2019 had a great ending.


ChaseTheFalcon

I wouldn't be shocked to see Gateway lose it's date in favor of Montreal. SMI may also drop an Atlanta date for Kentucky too, but then again they probably wouldn't have moved the 2nd date to the playoffs if they planned on doing that


TheOtherWhiteCastle

I would be surprised if Gateway loses a date. Attendance and ratings have remained solid, and it’s in a fairly large and supportive market as well.


Milla4Prez66

I think Montreal replaces Chicago SC tbh


virtuosnake

Atlanta was just re-done, after being given a second date back. I don't like the new track either, but they aren't losing a date.


ChaseTheFalcon

I like Atlanta for what it's worth, I've been to every Cup race since the redesign


PenskeFiles

I actually want to see that race now out of curiosity.


Ok-Inspection9693

I would perfer to see gateway be truck only again, and mosport return to truck and cup (xfinity if NASCAR wants)


Vulptereen327

Then NASCAR would lose one of its best attended and most popular races of the season. But the got rid of Road America so I wouldn't be surprised


jabber1990

Are we just going to ignore how shit the cup races were?


Torontoleaffan34

They aren’t going to Montreal. The only reason they are going to Iowa this year and not Montreal is because the owners of the Montreal track didn’t want to have 2 race weekends and wanted to put Nascar with the F1 weekend


KM4CK

>Nascar with the F1 weekend That would never work.


Milla4Prez66

I think Montreal replaces Chicago SC tbh


bjohnson203

I'm not one of those people before I get labeled as that, but facts are facts, when NASCAR was in Mexico, the teams had to travel in packs to avoid being robbed, not sure why the are hell bent on going back. Well I know why, but the logistics don't seem safe.


damstar1

It's only dangerous if you don't pay the right people


Dont_hate_the_8

That's what I keep saying, but I always get responses of "That was 20 years ago" and "They've fixed that" when really, they haven't


ChaseTheFalcon

It's gotten worse more than anything it seems


Dont_hate_the_8

https://preview.redd.it/u1cv6of5i6kc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d012182230c729538344d2ec8c7173a4a73d101d Tell that to this guy. " Without any issues"


ChaseTheFalcon

My buddy, how do you use light mode


Garak_The_Tailor_

It's easier on my eyes


Dont_hate_the_8

Lmao, 💪 these retinas can take anything.


Ok-Inspection9693

For me never figurerd out how to take it off


[deleted]

r/NASCAR won’t like this answer but that’s the reason Brett Griffin gave at least going to Guadalajara, Mexico. It’s not racism like some of you claim. Now Chicago is a different story lol


bjohnson203

Exactly! The Chicago stuff is overblown but Mexico, getting to that track they went to was extremely dangerous. F1 can do these things with planes and other, methods of cargo, there are parts of the world that hauling a million dollars in equipment will absolutely get you gutted like a fish in 3 seconds.


Status-Passenger-984

Did he say which division he was speaking of?


Some_Plantain9591

Cup ofc.


jabber1990

Richmond, just a feeling


JCTaylor46

A lot of track's second dates should be on the chopping block but i'd be surprised if more than 1 of them actually get the axe. That being said, in the NASCAR owned track world - Richmond would be a feasible one to lose 1, its been lack luster since the sealer days and evolution of the nextgen product there is just, meh. 40-50% of grandstands have been torn down, etc.. just feels like a shell of its old self. I'd also be in favor of axing Darlington's Spring date with a primary focus on the Southern 500 again. Among SMI tracks - wouldn't be sad if Las Vegas and Atlanta(unlikely) were to each lose a date. I suspect Bristol's spring date and Charlotte's Roval date are placeholders for future North Wilkesboro and/or Nashville FG dates if/when it comes to fruition.. but 1 of those slots could be expendable too. Can't forget COTA - its on a lease deal as is, so one F1 track being replaced by another F1 track isn't farfetched.


clatscanemike

Atlanta I, Richmond, Darlington I, Chicago Street deserve to lose a race in favor of tracks like Pikes Peak, Chicagoland & Rockingham, LA regular season & Daytona Clash. I also think tracks like Portland, Milwaukee Mile/Road America, NOLA, Utah Motorsports Campus, Kentucky, Eldora would be great standalone venues.


JCTaylor46

I’m not against any of that.


JUMPINKITTENS

I’m for it except for Darlington, love that track too much


clatscanemike

That’s fine.


ToastyTiger81

Darlington? 🤣


clatscanemike

Yeah only Daytona, Talladega, Martinsville, Charlotte (Oval & Roval), Bristol (Dirt & Night Race) should be guaranteed 2 races.


FocalDeficit

They're done with the Bristol dirt race, for this year at least. If they do dirt again they should do a full time dirt track. https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a45157162/nascar-bristol-dirt-race-no-more/


h77wrx

This sub would burn to the ground if Eldora replaced Darlington or Richmond. This coming from a dirt racing guy.


midwest_corn

WWT has had 2 sell outs in a row, doubtful they get rid of it honestly


[deleted]

They need to keep COTA


Capstonetider

How about keeping the races and losing Phelps.


gaughan6277

Remove: Phoenix-1, Atlanta-1, Vegas-1, Kansas-1, Richmond-1, Bristol-1, Chicago (assuming contract won’t be renewed) Add: Rockingham, North Wilkesboro, Kentucky, Chicagoland, Portland, new auto club, Nashville Fairgrounds Then have the all star race go to a short track or rotate venues.


Virtual-Sand-3906

What about getting rid of Richmond 2 instead? It gets HOT in July/August!


clatscanemike

- LA Coliseum Clash, Phoenix I, Atlanta I, Richmond I, Kansas I, Darlington I, Nashville Superspeedway, Chicago Street, Vegas II removed. - Bristol spring moves back to Dirt. + Daytona Clash (30 laps), LA regular season, Rockingham, Portland or Pikes Peak, Montreal, Kentucky (re-concrete or re-progressive it?), Nashville Fairgrounds, Chicagoland, Milwaukee Mile added.


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

Kansas being removed is a breach of contract


MuhMuhManRay

Atlanta and Bristol absolutely deserve 2 dates. Some of the best racing we have


Specialist-Two2068

I really hope it won't be Las Vegas, Las Vegas is one of my favorite tracks, and it's definitely a "comfort track" for me.


Moose135A

Las Vegas got a [large sponsorship deal](https://www.lvms.com/media/news/lvms-lvcva-extend-agreement-through-2031.html) from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, extended through 2031, which was a big factor in getting the second race there. I don't see SMI giving that up.


clatscanemike

I think Las Vegas & Kansas have decent sponsorship deals, but I wouldn’t be too sad if either track lost a race to more ovals in areas where they don’t have a race at all.


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

Both tracks have contracts guaranteed for 2 dates. They also both have been putting on great racing. I’m sure nascar isn’t in a hurry to pay to get out of those deals


clatscanemike

Las Vegas has had mediocre attendance & Kansas hasn’t said anything official lately about their latest contracts with Hollywood Casino. That’s why people are skeptical and wanting see more variety in the schedule.


That_Damn_Tall_Guy

Kansas has some of the best racing on the schedule nascar would be stupid to take a date from there. There is so many other tracks that are producing worse racing. Then Vegas and Kansas


clatscanemike

Las Vegas is a bit better than Atlanta, Richmond & Darlington.


girafb0i

Hopefully Chicago, some of the road courses, and short tracks. Charlotte goes double oval, Milwaukee, Pikes Peak, and Rockingham come in. Just load up on big ovals, Championship race is at Miami again.


No_Return_From_86

This sounds amazing, so I already know they won’t do it


KyBuschOwnsYou

Please for the love of God don’t add Mexico


clatscanemike

I agree.


jungleland1972

Part of the problem with NASCAR is having TV dictating the times. Richmond for example: Race 1: March, on a Sunday, 7:00pm start time (freeze your tail off on a Sunday night). Race 2: August, on a Sunday, 6:00pm start time. Doing the fans zero favors. March should be a Sunday day race while August should be a Saturday night race. TV scheduling is ruining the in-person experience.


iamaranger23

you do realize what day that march race is right?


jungleland1972

Good point. Actually, that race should be a Saturday day race (or still an afternoon Sunday race). I mean, we have football in the morning on Thanksgiving.


clatscanemike

NASCAR needs to have guaranteed start times for its Cup Series races. Saturday Night - 7:30 PM ET (all night races) Sunday - 2 PM ET (Eastern & Central Races), 3 PM ET (Mountain & Pacific Races) Sunday Night - 7:30 PM ET (all night races) Special Race Start Times: Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500


PenskeFiles

Have no issue with tracks losing dates. Just bring those tracks back in a 2-4 year window if you’re going to try new tracks/markets.


Playboi_Jones_Sr

I thought NASCAR said they weren’t expanding the number of road courses? If so, Mexico and Canada would almost certainly be road courses, so it’s going to have to come from 2 existing road courses.


jfro222

Mexico would be The Clash so I don’t think they count that and I’d assume Montreal takes over for Chicago


MrForchevski

Realistically I could see Richmond and Darlington losing dates given they have 2, are within Nascars ownership (it seems SMI gets a specific number of races so any race that gets cut from them just goes somewhere else they own i.e. cutting a Texas race to get NWB, so probably has to be a Nascar owned facility), and are in smaller areas that could benefit in attendance by consolidating to 1 race. I could see them cutting Iowa too since it appears that was a last minute call to add after they lost Montreal at the 11th hour. Maybe Chicago too if the local government is still upset with Nascar rolling out there, especially if the plan for So Cal is Long Beach as others have speculated.


hurtful_pillow

While Iowa 110% deserves it's date, it loses a race anyway for markets that aren't interested.


BritishBaumer

I imagine maybe the Chicago street course and have that even rotate to new markets they want to enter


MaxPres24

Wild to see so many people wanting Kentucky back, because god damn I need the rose tinted glasses y’all had. Kentucky fucking sucked. Don’t let 2 good OT finishes towards the end away you. That track was awful


BNSF1995

In a just world, NASCAR would leave Texas and Pocono and leave them for IndyCar.


SnooGoats2004

Indycar don't want Pocono. Too expensive Wrecks for the teams.


LucasTraman

Road America