Start with the car...

I could be wrong. I most likely am. But when it comes to getting eyeballs back on the sport, my first thought has always been that the product must be better. NASCAR has done a lot of work in recent years to address the car, most notably working with different downforce packages.

It can't be said enough: Keep at it. The closer the competition is on the track, the more entertaining the race will be. The problem is, for all the changes NASCAR makes, the teams are working to counteract them. So, officials can't be satisfied with its current package.


A fast car is always going to rise to the top and separate itself from the field. I get that. I also understand there is never going to be a situation where clean air doesn't matter. But it is critical that we don't allow these cars to continue to become so aero-dependent that there is no 'race' in racing.

... Then go to the schedule

The agreement with tracks is locked in. We like our current lineup.

Those are the two arguments we are bound to hear whenever the topic of schedule realignment comes up. In fact, we did hear them from France during the aforementioned presser in Miami, although the Chairman did at least acknowledge realignment is always an option. It needs to be, now more than ever, and it's never too early to start shopping around, as the five-year agreement with tracks that was announced in 2016 is good through 2020.

Looking at the premier series schedule from 2017 and comparing it with the 2000 schedule reveals minimal changes. Rockingham was eliminated from the lineup, while we continue to race at all other venues we did back then. Some have scaled back from two races to one, while others have gone from one race to two.

NASCAR did shake up its schedule, if you want to call it that, for 2018 by moving races around – Indianapolis is the last race of the regular season, Las Vegas is now the playoff opener, and there's the addition of the Charlotte road course. It's not enough. Simply moving races around is not the answer. Many, myself included, would be quick to offer a list of tracks around the country worthy of getting a shot at hosting a NASCAR race.

Alternatively...

If we don't change the schedule, then we need to cut it down. Multiple races at the same 1.5-mile track is repetitive and tiring. It's nothing personal toward any of these facilities or staff, but I can do without two races at Michigan, Pocono, Texas, Las Vegas and Phoenix, just to name a few. NASCAR has long had one of the longest schedules in all professional sport. Times and things change, and there wouldn't be anything wrong with making it shorter and sweeter.