Texas Motor Speedway ditches longstanding NASCAR Cup victory lane tradition: Reports

The future Cup series racing at Texas Motor Speedway seems to end if the racing product doesn’t get better.

Texas Motor Speedway ditches longstanding NASCAR Cup victory lane tradition: Reports

Kyle Larson. Image via Athlon Sports.

Last season’s Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway was the talk of the town for many reasons. The race was five hours long, and it is safe to say it was dramatic. Tyler Reddick finally won the race after a record-breaking 36 lead changes. This came a year after Kyle Larson dominated the track. Back then, there was a record low of only eight lead changes. The track’s growing bad reputation for poor race products is affecting it.

NASCAR has not announced its 2024 schedule yet. And it is far from doing it soon. The 2023 season saw the move of the All-Star Race to North Wilkesboro. NASCAR also replaced Road American with a Chicago street course. Not many would be surprised if NASCAR dropped Texas Motor Speedway. Last year there were 21 lead changes even before the third stage. It was not a good sign for a playoff race. 

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Yet another piece of news associated with the track might disappoint hardcore NASCAR fans. The decision that the track official has taken might hinder the entertainment factor of the race as well. It is related to a longstanding NASCAR Cup Series tradition at the Texas Motor Speedway. Texas winners drive onto Victory Lane and celebrate by throwing on a cowboy hat and firing two six-shooters. But it looks like the Texas tradition has come to an end. The track officials decided “months ago” to retire the six-shooters celebration.

Many tracks have different celebrations or unusual trophies. For example, the grandfather clock at Martinsville and TSA has a rifle-themed trophy. The new decision might also affect the trophies given to the drivers. It is unclear whether a sponsor will present a rifle to the winner. 

Related: WATCH: “F*** Ross, what a f***ing idiot,” Kyle Larson goes on an angry rant on the team radio after Ross Chastain incited crash ruins his good day

Who has shot the most rounds in the Texas Cup victory lane?

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Jimmie Johnson. Image via 13WMAZ.

Jimmie Johnson has the most number of wins at the Texas Motor Speedway. He fired the shots on seven different occasions. It ranks fourth among his career wins at a single track. There are 21 different Cup Series drivers who won at TMS. Johnson is followed by Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, who have 4 wins each. 

Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick have three wins each at the TMS. However, Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has the most wins in Fort Worth. He has won 20 percent of his starts. Throughout the TMS celebrations, they have fired shots. But it is a different time now. Gun laws and mass shootings have led to this decision. In 2017, there was an exception, Kevin Harvick did not fire shots out of respect for the victims of the Texas shooting.

From 2005 to 2020, TMS hosted two points races per season. In 2021 they moved the spring race to the iconic COTA. However, TMS conducted the All-Star Race. This year, TMS has only one Cup Series event. It is the first race of round 12 in the playoffs. Undoubtedly, there will be a lot of emotions for the winner, as it would guarantee a spot in the semifinal round. But the most important tradition/celebration will be missing.

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