In past iterations of the NASCAR All-Star Race, innovative concepts for future enhancements were often part of the event’s attractions. Since the race does not contribute to the championship points system, it has historically provided NASCAR and its teams with an opportunity to experiment and test new ideas. This year, however, one proposed concept will not be implemented. The racing community was divided on the potential of this idea.
NASCAR had suggested that teams could adopt a “run what you brung” approach at North Wilkesboro Speedway. While modifications to safety components of the race cars would remain prohibited, teams would have had the chance to use their creativity to tweak other aspects of their vehicles. The underlying goal was to discover ways to enhance the Next Gen car’s performance, particularly for short track racing, which has faced significant criticism since its rollout in 2022.
The notion of testing in a competitive environment, rather than just in a practice setting, was appealing. Nonetheless, the teams showed reluctance to embrace this idea. One of the primary concerns, though not the only one, revolved around costs.
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications, discussed the idea on a recent episode of the Hauler Talk podcast. He explained, “What we were hoping to accomplish with the so-called run what you brung idea was to empower the teams more.” He elaborated that if a particular car could navigate through the field more effectively—moving from fifth to third, for instance, or dropping back to sixth but then climbing back up to fourth—NASCAR could engage with those teams to understand what modifications they had made.
Forde expressed that the aim was to gather insights that could be used to improve short track racing in venues like Martinsville, Bristol, and Richmond. This would help NASCAR compile a list of ideas to enhance performance.
Denny Hamlin, a co-owner of 23XI Racing, shared his thoughts on this proposal during his podcast. He pointed out that the financial implications for his organization would be substantial. Hamlin estimated that the cost of changing parts and the tools necessary for such modifications would be exorbitant, potentially leading to spending millions.
“We’re going to destroy three of our cars to build this car,” Hamlin remarked. “I’m going to spend $1 million just on parts and pieces; we haven’t even developed anything yet. So, just in parts and pieces, to replace all the components we’re going to modify, we’re looking at a significant expense, and the prize payout is just $1 million.”
Hamlin reflected on the long-standing $1 million prize for winning the All-Star Race, noting that it has been the same for three decades, diminishing its appeal. He emphasized that, despite the excitement surrounding the race, the financial reality makes it hard to justify the investment.
While Hamlin expressed his support for the concept as a driver and fan, his reservations stemmed from his position as a team owner. He articulated that the fundamental issue at hand is the financial struggles of teams, which shape their decisions.
In response to Hamlin’s concerns, Forde stated, “Denny mentioned that this could potentially cost $2 million if we went ahead with the plan. I believe his calculations were off by about $2 million. The actual cost could be zero or perhaps even save teams money, believe it or not.”
Forde also countered the claim that the concept had not been thoroughly developed, noting that a dedicated working group had been assessing this idea for several months. He referred to a meeting held in early March between NASCAR and the competition directors from various teams to discuss the proposal in detail.
Additionally, Forde clarified that teams would have been restricted from modifying the chassis, meaning it would not affect the allotment of seven chassis per car number. He highlighted that there was a comprehensive list outlining what modifications were permissible, which aimed to keep costs manageable. Teams would have been allowed to adjust areas such as ride heights, nose weight, preferred diffusers, underbody strakes, and spoiler bases, all of which would utilize existing inventory.
Essentially, the modifications permitted would not necessitate new parts; everything had to remain single-sourced. Forde emphasized that the intention was to keep the financial burden minimal, ensuring teams could experiment without incurring exorbitant expenses.
Kyle Busch, a well-known driver, also weighed in on the topic during a recent appearance on the Door Bumper Clear podcast. He expressed his support for the concept, noting that he had heard NASCAR was open to a variety of modifications that teams could explore. Busch viewed this as a chance for teams to learn how to improve their short track performance.
“I was in favor of it,” Busch stated. “This could provide valuable insights, especially since this car has struggled on short tracks. I understand the teams’ concerns, but we need to find a solution to enhance our performance at short tracks.”
Aside from the financial considerations, Forde provided additional reasoning for why the concept would not be pursued this year. He noted that many competition directors perceived the idea not only through the lens of costs but also as a potential distraction from their core focus. Concerns from owners and competition directors about the financial implications and the possible diversion of attention were valid points in the discussion.
As NASCAR continues to navigate the complexities of maintaining competitive balance while seeking innovation, the conversation around this proposed idea highlights the intricate balance between testing new concepts and managing operational costs. The organization remains committed to fostering a competitive environment while ensuring financial sustainability for the teams involved. The dialogue surrounding these issues illustrates the multifaceted challenges facing the NASCAR community as it seeks to evolve and enhance the sport for teams, drivers, and fans alike.
