This weekend’s race at Sonoma Raceway marks the third road or street course event in the last five Cup races, with two additional races scheduled later this season, including one during the second round of the playoffs. By the end of the year, six road or street course races will have been held, accounting for one-sixth of the 36-race schedule, sparking a debate among fans and drivers about whether this is too many or too few.
Veteran Drivers Oppose the Rise of Road Course Events
Among those voicing unease about the increasing emphasis on road courses are NASCAR veterans Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski, both of whom have struggled on non-oval tracks throughout their careers. Earnhardt Jr., a Hall of Fame driver, never won on a road course in 35 starts, earning just three total top-five finishes—two at Watkins Glen and one at Sonoma.
He expressed agreement with critics of the expanding road course presence by sharing a John Cena GIF on social media that read,
“You are absolutely correct,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Keselowski’s road course record is similarly challenging, with no wins in 51 starts and only seven top-five finishes, including three second-place results at Watkins Glen. He openly shared his concerns about the growing number of road/street course events, tweeting,
“Yes, too many road courses in NASCAR,”
—Brad Keselowski while expressing worry that next year’s schedule might include seven such events.
The Shift from Two to Six Road Course Races in NASCAR’s Schedule
A decade ago, fans championed the addition of more road courses, as Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International had been the only stops of their kind on the Cup schedule for many years. Since then, the number of road and street races has increased significantly, now including venues such as Circuit of the Americas, Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte Roval.
Uncertainty Around Future Road Course Expansion
Looking ahead, questions remain about whether the current six road/street course races will continue or expand further. Keselowski’s concerns about the potential increase to seven events have left fans and insiders wondering what the future holds. NASCAR’s evolving approach to scheduling road courses adds complexity to the sport’s traditional format and raises debate reminiscent of Shakespeare’s famous line,
“More road courses or fewer road courses? That is the question.”
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Brad Keselowski Polish?
A. Facebook. Best wishes to Brad Keselowski, a racing veteran with Polish roots, competing in the NASCAR Chicago races this weekend. He drives the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.
