Speedways Taking Steps to Mix Up Racing

For the majority of NASCAR history the tracks have been generally the same. Four turns, two straights, and the start/finish line somewhere close to the middle of the front stretch. Times are changing.

With a demand for a more unique experience week to week, both challenging the drivers and creating new experiences for fans, tracks have begun to shake things up a bit.

Kentucky Speedway announced a repave beginning immediately after their 2015 race. Something that was expected until the speedway revealed layout changes as well.

By adding banking in turns 1 and 2 and leaving 3 and 4 flatter they created a unique challenge to both crew chiefs and drivers. Both drivers and fans raved about the changes when the track hosted its first race on the speedway last summer.

The drive to be unique did not stop there. Texas Motor Speedway announced changes by decreasing banking and widening turns 1 and 2 while leaving 3 and 4 the same as before.

Perhaps the most unique track to announce changes is Phoenix International Raceway. On Monday, the facility showed off their newly created plans to shake the racing up.

By moving the start/finish to the short stretch and changing the pit road the track completely changed race strategy. The dive bombs into old turn 1 should be incredible. What was already one of the most fun tracks on the circuit is guaranteed to be even more exciting.

I mean the track that produce the finish between Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick and the intense fall finish could be even more exciting. Let that sink in.

The speedway has now gone the extra mile to provide the drivers with a challenge and give the fans something new to experience.

I could not be more on board with this recent trend in the sport. What more could you ask for? We get to watch the best drivers in the world mix it up on tracks that they have never seen before.

Not to mention the challenge this creates for the crew to set the car up. Force these guys to pick what corner they set up for and let the drivers wrestle with their cars in the other.

All of this creates a show that the sport greatly needs. Couple this with the recent rule changes and stock car racing is at the dawn of a new day.

Take the time to applaud the speedways for taking these risks.