NASCAR introduced a new short-track package at Phoenix Raceway last weekend, and the results showed that it was a step in the right direction. Even though it may have been a small step, the drivers could pass slightly more than usual at Phoenix. In fact, it resulted in the most green-flag passes of the NextGen car era at the venue.
Still, the final determination of NASCAR’s new package likely can’t be figured out until the racing series leaves Bristol Motor Speedway or Martinsville Speedway. The racing at Phoenix was pretty solid for the track’s standards, but Bristol and Martinsville are the pinnacle of short-track racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The racing at Bristol and Martinsville was terrific in the Gen 6 car. They were must-see events that brought out the best in every driver on the race track. In the NextGen car era, it has been a struggle to truly see good racing. That is what NASCAR is aiming to fix, and the hope is that the new short-track package aids competitiveness on the race track.
REPOST TO CONGRATULATE CHRISTOPHER BELL ON HIS WIN AT PHOENIX RACEWAY! pic.twitter.com/LoPydaNJqI
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 10, 2024
Despite what people will say about Sunday’s racing, it improved compared to the previous events at Phoenix. That itself is a positive step, one that hopefully shows results at Bristol and Martinsville. NASCAR is working on a solution for better racing, but there is likely some more progress to be made. Perhaps, a bump in horsepower could be the final solution the sport may need.
Denny Hamlin called for more horsepower, and many NASCAR fans agreed with him. The short-track racing in the Cup Series needs to be good, and it’s not a coincidence the Xfinity and Truck Series have it right. The sport has improved the racing slightly with this first look, but we won’t find out how much until Bristol and Martinsville are complete.
[lawrence-related id=8588]