Chase Elliott warns NASCAR against sacrificing short tracks for “more of” intermediate tracks  

Since the introduction of the Next-Gen cars in 2022, short-tracks has taken a back seat in terms of producing entertaining races. The aero-characters and long-lasting Goodyear tiers made it hard to have solid races in small ovals. At the same time the car was perfect for intermediate tracks, as the mile and half tracks so far has hosted the best races of the Next-Gen era.

With the change in racing due to the car and NASCAR’s ventures into new markets, it’s possibility that some short tracks are going to lose it’s race dates either for new intermediate tracks or road courses. Hendrick Motorsports star Chase Elliott is against such moves and has given his warning ahead of the North Wilkesboro Cup race.

The 2020 Cup champion pointed out that mile and half-tracks having good races is a reason to make the shift but it shouldn’t be too much. He reckons having too much of intermediate track action will make it less desirable. Elliott also believes that the short track package needs to be made better as the nation has a lot of great tracks for the sport to lean into.

The races at the mile-and-a-half tracks have been really good. But I don’t think that’s always a reason to get more of them. I always feel like less is more. We just need to be careful and put enough emphasis and importance into making our short-track package better because we do have great short tracks around the country that we can lean into and race at.

Chase Elliott said via Speedway Media.

Chase Elliott asks NASCAR to make short track racing better

The HMS driver further discussing the topic, pointed out that NASCAR has to update the Next-Gen cars to have better racing in short tracks. Similar tracks being an important part of the sport, Chase Elliott doesn’t want to see them go away.

We just need to make our cars structured into a position that we can put on better shows. I would rather see a better product on the short-track stuff than taking them away. I don’t think they’re taking them away, but I would hate to see a movement away from that, just because it’s an important part of our sport.

Chase Elliott said.

The Next-Gen car has changed the game for the Cup Series and the time is rushing in to make a change. The short track racing package has to be made better as it is what most of the fans and drivers of the NASCAR nation wants to see.

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