Another year, another All-Star Race format that takes 10 minutes to understand. What should be done with the event to bring it back to its glory and intrigue of 20-30 years ago? – R.J. P, Destin, Fla.
Oh, it’s almost May already? That means it’s time to have the annual discussion surrounding the All-Star Race — or what’s left of it, anyways.
Look: the race has no place in the NASCAR Cup Series anymore. Do I like that I feel that way? No. Do I believe it? Yes.
The formats have become too confusing, convoluted and the racing hasn’t been conducive to a fun, easygoing-yet-important event. It hasn’t felt like the All-Star Race for some time now. And there’s no one reason as to why.
It’s not ISC, SMI, NASCAR or the drivers’ faults. It’s just a combination of bad ingredients that have made a bad meal.
With no disrespect to the fine folks at Texas Motor Speedway, holding the event there is just … not doing it any favors. This year’s format is equally as long as 500-mile races at TMS feel.
The 2022 All-Star Race format:
• First 3 stages 25 laps apiece
• Final stage 50 laps
• Stage 1 winner starts 1st in S4
• Stage 2 winner starts 2nd in S4
• Stage 3 winner starts 3rd in S4
• Pit stop competition b/w S2 & S3
More details here ⬇️ #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/4sX3jmCKtm
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) April 28, 2022
I’m not proposing a solution, because I don’t have one. But I’m asking a philosophical question. Do we need an All-Star Race anymore?
I lean toward no. The Clash has more of that one-event-a-year feel. But given that it’s only been a year since that race has been transformed into a stadium race, combine the two.
Make it the season-opener exhibition with $1 million on the line, if you still want a big payday as part of the show. But some sort of life needs to be injected into the event in some form or fashion.
Everybody is trying their best, but unfortunately it seems to be dying — if not already dead. If so, let…
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