NASCAR announced before the 2023 season that stage breaks would be taken away at road courses for the entirety of the year. However, the sport made a decision prior to the final road course event of the season at the Charlotte ROVAL to bring them back. This decision came after two races at the Indianapolis Road Course and Watkins Glen International that only featured two combined yellow flags.
During the annual “State of the Sport” address, Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s Chief Operating Officer, was asked whether stage breaks will return at road courses for the 2024 season. O’Donnell had an interesting response while maintaining that it’s the most likely outcome.
“I would say that we are strongly looking at that,” O’Donnell. “I would say 99% there will be some type of stage break. We do want to look at the incentives during the race. There was a lot of challenges from the race teams of strategy, who stays out or points.”
REPOST TO CONGRATULATE AJ ALLMENDINGER ON HIS CHARLOTTE ROVAL WIN! https://t.co/YVb4q95mjF pic.twitter.com/tJkQjQZ92H
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) October 8, 2023
“I think we want to take some time with the teams and drivers to figure out what’s the best use of that, maybe looking at the points system as well. But would anticipate stages, for sure.”
O’Donnell talked about potential changes that could come along with road courses for 2024. Could NASCAR change the point system and other things surrounding the stages? It will be interesting to find out what happens as NASCAR appears to be committed to working with drivers and teams to find the best outcome.
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