This weekend marks 30 years since One Hot Night, the critically acclaimed NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race of 1992. What can be done to bring the race back to its former glory?
The All-Star Race was struggling in the early ’90s, and the decision was made to run the race under the lights of Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1992.
It was a smashing success. It revived interest in the All-Star Race, and it remained at Charlotte under the lights for another 27 years.
But in the last decade or so, the race has begun to lose its fanfare among followers. Even hosting the All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2020 wasn’t enough to bring the excitement back.
The race has been held at Texas Motor Speedway since 2021, but the same question remains: How can the race provide another One Hot Night? To bring interest back into All-Star weekend, three avenues should be considered: a consistent format, a longer length and a unique, permanent racetrack.
It doesn’t help viewership when the All-Star Race has been used as a guinea pig for ideas in points races. The 2018 edition used restrictor plates and the 2020 edition was the debut of the off-centered side numbers. In addition, the format of the race has been changed every single year since 2015. If NASCAR can decide on a consistent format, there would be a higher level of prestige to the race. The Daytona 500 wouldn’t be as prestigious if it alternated between being the Daytona 500, 400, 350 or 425.
Second, the race should be longer and with fewer breaks. The 2022 race at Texas is scheduled for 125 laps, slightly over a third of the 334 laps scheduled in September. A race that is closer to 150 or 175 laps would be ideal, as the fans and viewers will be able to experience more action. At the same time, the number of stages or breaks should be limited, as constantly starting and stopping every 15 laps doesn’t allow the race to get any flow or momentum. Thirty- or 40-lap stages would be more preferable in this…
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