“That just makes no sense,” Chase Elliott demands a drastic change in NASCAR race timings

Chase Elliott wants NASCAR to exploit the TV window they have in the summer for a better fan experience.

“That just makes no sense,” Chase Elliott demands a drastic change in NASCAR race timings

Chase Elliott (credits @HMS/Twitter)

The NASCAR Cup series made its return after a one-week mid-season break with an impressive race at Nashville. All 400 was one of the best races so far in 2023 that saw Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain securing the win and playoffs spot. The race being held at night instead of in the afternoon helped the fans and drivers to avoid the summer heat.

The 2020 NASCAR Cup champion Chase Elliott has now made a suggestion that could help both the drivers and fans. He wants the sporting body to shift races to the night as most venues have lights. This will help fans to have a better experience on the grandstands. It will also help the drivers, as heat can be a big factor in performance on the track.

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“But nonetheless, this time of year is just — it’s hot. You know, for the drivers, it is what it is. It’s hot every week for us but for the people sitting in the grandstands. I mean goodness. It’s 95 degrees out here in the summer, and sitting in bleachers like there is no reason to be roasting on a Sunday afternoon when this facility has lights. And same for Atlanta. That just makes no sense,” Chase Elliott said.

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Chase Elliott points at a big window of TV views NASCAR can exploit

Chase Elliott
Chase Elliott (@HMS/ Twitter)

With the end of the 2023 NBA season and the prominence in regional coverage of baseball at this time of the year, Elliott believes shifting races to the night will not adversely affect viewerships.

“Basketball season’s over. You know, baseball is on TV, of course, this time of year, but it’s regional coverage anyway, and they’re hard to watch. So from a TV standpoint, I don’t really think there’s any excuse for that,” Elliott said.

Elliott also opened up about the possibility of having a Saturday night race instead of Sundays so that fans can easily cope with the Monday morning rush. He added that no excuses are left for NASCAR not to have raced at night, considering the fan’s aspect.

“We’d love to see these events be on Saturday night fan’s of Sunday night for people that have to go to work on a Monday morning, but I just don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t have more night races during these months where it’s so hot for the spectators and the people here to enjoy it more,” Elliott added.

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