Back in September, NASCAR released its schedule for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season. After seeing it, Chase Elliott gave some opinions regarding the type of race NASCAR could look for in the future.
He wrote, “Less=More. I like night races too.” His message sparked some debate with the fans but many were quick to praise his recommendation for NASCAR.
Less = More.
I like night races too. https://t.co/cDT4wEECW4
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) September 14, 2022
While not in the same light, NASCAR writer Austin Konenski recently suggested a different approach to the current Cup Series schedule. His suggestion included shortening the season so that it would end at most in the middle of September and also bringing back mid-week races.
NASCAR should have 35-40 races and more mid-week races while shortening the season to beginning/mid-September, in my opinion. https://t.co/4osBKm88PJ
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) November 29, 2022
Many fans were quick to point out that the opinion was what the 2020 champion said in September. However, not everyone was convinced by the success of the mid-week races, not because they didn’t want it but because those races would have bad ratings and the networks wouldn’t like it.
That’s the same thing Chase was saying
— Justin (@ND4SPD36) November 29, 2022
Mid week races killed the viewership
— sportsguy070 (@CjNascar6767) November 29, 2022
id love this but i don't think the mid week races got the eyeballs networks hoped it would.
— Kody Parker (@KodyParker10) November 29, 2022
Problem is that they tried the mid week races. Was during the height of Covid when they should have had a captive audience. But ratings were disappointing at best. Networks control things. It's all about money
— Burt Cavanaugh (@CavanaughBurt) November 29, 2022
If teams were allowed twice as much inventory. Since under the Gen 7 ruling, they are limited to how many chassis they are allowed at any one time.
NASCAR Cup Series race teams are limited to 7 cars per car number at a given time. In the past a top team may of had 30 cars
— Christopher Herbert🇳🇿 (@thewowpoetnz) November 29, 2022
Thursday night sprint races at the track they’re going to on the weekend at 1/4 of the length of the Sunday race or like 1.5 pit cycles length. Lineup is set by the last race result, no points just money from a streaming service and gambling platform to the top 10 specifically.
— AutoLotto (@AutoLotto317) November 29, 2022
The mid week races were dope
— TJ Puccio (@TJ_Puccio) November 29, 2022
NASCAR did try mid-week races during the Covid so as to compensate for the lack of racing. And it didn’t turn out to be as successful as they might have wished for. While Elliott’s wish seems exciting, NASCAR’s SVP of Media Brian Herbst poured cold water on it by saying that the current schedule is the most practical one for NASCAR.