re: 2026 NASCAR Season Thread

They will never kill the stage breaks.

1. Its ad time. Too many dollars from advertisers. No split screen either the stage breaks are prime ad revenue

2. The restarts from the manufactured stage breaks are the only real racing action for most races. The new fans Nascar has replaced loyal fans with would never last a whole race without stages. Can you imagine new fans watching a car blow the field away. And multi green flag pit cycles.

Stages have completely changed the standings. Cars can get laps back and improve their eventual points solely from stage breaks. Imagine Larson without breaks as one example of hundreds.

I wanted Larson to win because he had the Rowdy paint scheme. But he was aided by the stage breaks. And so was Hamlin. He spun with 2 to go in stage. Without stoppage he loses a lap and has to pit as well. We’ll never know.

But yes it would be great if they just picked a lap for stages and kept racing but scored them. That ship has sailed due to ad money.

He makes good points. Day is a wheelman. Zillich hasn’t really impressed. Day shoulda got that 48 seat. Both are young and could have good careers but the pundits anointed Conner too fast. Just like Hocevar. Just like Chastain.



whatsundersteer
@whatsundersteer


Seen the Connor Zilisch bots made @Kenny_Wallace lock his replies. I don’t blame him.

I blame Nascar and Nascar media, they’ve destroyed the stardom of two drivers at the age of 20.

Nascar wanted a star so bad they labeled Zilisch a phenom for all the netflix bots to latch on to, and then when an actual phenom emerged in Corey Day, Zilisch labeled him a hack so his bots had someone to hate.

Now Day is a star on track, but not a star on the internet, and Zilisch is neither.

That’s why Nascar doesn’t have any stars, bc nascar media destroys them before they can become stars.

I don’t agree that Day should’ve gotten the 48. Hendrick isn’t the type to give a rookie a cup ride. He can stash day at spire as long as he wants. Connor will be given 3 years to prove himself. And if Mr. H feels he’s not cutting it, he can cut him out and bring Day in.

Connor will have 2 years of cup before Day will ever declare for ROTY. Experience is important.

That’s my point. William Byron was the last rookie Hendrick gave a ride to. At that time he still had Jimmie & Chase to lean on. Plus Jeff was still in the building. And I don’t think the free agent pool in 2018 was anything special. Hendrick going into 2018 was a vastly different organization than 2028.

It’s clear Hendrick believe in Connor. Get him in a ride and see what he can do. Plus Rick can tell Jeff Dickerson to do whatever and Jeff will do it if it benefits the team. Jeff will cut a driver to take another on someone else’s payroll in a heartbeat. It’s a win/win for Hendrick.

Chase was hungrier back then. Was in 24 car before changed to 9.

Look how much the cars moved and slid. Like NOAP is now.

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When Matt got mad, he got really mad.

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Carl Edward’s vs. Brad was good stuff for awhile. I think Brad’s dad said Carl was trying to kill Brad on the track.
Good times.

I remember this

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