NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs, team members, owners and officials shined a positive light on the new enhancements to the points structure across all three series that were announced Monday.
The enhancements will impact all three series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Here are some excerpts from those that took part in the announcement from Charlotte, as well as reactions from social media:
NASCAR vice president Steve O’Donnell: “It’s the right time to make enhancements … it’s a great example of the industry coming together for the fans. ... Every race matters and winning is more important than ever.”
Denny Hamlin: “There are no off weeks. Every single race matters. Every lap of every race matters. From our standpoint, you always felt a bit relaxed after you got a race win. Now with each accomplishment, getting points, through a stage win, or race win, each makes your road to Homestead a little bit easier. That’s what it’s all about.”
Still have questions? Give this a look!
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 24, 2017
FAQ's: https://t.co/YIAKyQNsgL pic.twitter.com/T7jK1rF3YS
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “I love the fact the bonus points will carry through the playoffs to the last round. Everything you do will help for the playoffs. The stages are going to help bring excitement for drivers and fans. Last year, I was driver and a fan, I was in a unique position. There will be a lot to watch as these crew chiefs try to figure out the strategies to obtain the most points. Fans should be excited.”
Brad Keselowski: “More chances to win, more chances to perform and more spotlights. … We’re going to race to a new level that we’ve never seen before. … I’m really pumped about this. To me, this is NASCAR. Look at how our races were formatted in the 40s and 50s: it was endurance, long races. Teams now are so smart. If we created motorsports from scratch today, this is how would we do this.”
Jeff Gordon: “I definitely think this is going to enhance experience of competitors and fans at home. … It (discussion of the new enhancements) was a pretty amazing experience and what came out of it is a balance of what fans are asking for and make it more exciting.”
NASCAR ON NBC analyst Jeff Burton: “When a race fan buys a ticket, that fan deserves to see a race that impacts the championship. Win and you’re in is awesome, but it took them off the hook a bit. If you incentivize these guys … it makes them want to race that much harder. This is an enhancement. When races matter, the fans win.
Steve Newmark, president of Roush Fenway Racing: “Crew chiefs and team members are chomping at the bit to get to the track.”
International Speedway Corporation president Joie Chitwood: “Every race, every lap means something, whether you have a TV viewer or someone in the stands. … We can never sit back and think we’re good enough. I think this group did a great job of coming up with something unique and I think our fans are going to be very excited in this coming season.”
Speedway Motorsports Inc. president Marcus Smith: “This is really for the fans.”
Team owner Jack Roush: “I believe this is part of the natural evolution of our sport as we continue to enhance the product on the race track. The enhancements are a result of unprecedented collaboration between the teams, NASCAR, broadcast partners and drivers, and in direct response to what the fans have expressed a desire for. Stage style racing has a strong history throughout many levels of motorsports, and I’m personally excited to watch as the new strategies play out during the upcoming season.”
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles: “The new race format will make the Brickyard 400 and the entire Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series more exciting by making every stage of the race important. With every point critical to a driver’s championship chances, the changes will ensure spirited competition during each and every lap. The stages will also offer an opportunity for our fans to hear strategy insights during breaks in action, instead of having to wait until the race has ended. Winning the Brickyard 400 has always been important to the drivers and with more points on the line throughout, it will be an even more thrilling event!”
Team owner Richard Petty:
“Since NASCAR started, there has always been change. The world changes and you have to change with it. This new format just adapts to the current and next generation of fans. It’s something to help create more excitement during the races. You have to put on a good race, a good show where people want to watch at home and enjoy coming to the track. Having two additional winning moments is a good step in that direction to keep the drivers competitive and fans excited throughout the race and season. As an owner, I’m fine with it. I have the same rules as everyone else. That’s fair. We just have to figure out how to be the best under this format.”
Here are some comments from social media (we’ll continue to update):
Let's see...
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) January 23, 2017
WIN. WIN. WIN.
Sounds good to me!@NASCAR 🏁
Really looking fwd to the 2017 season with @NASCAR .. Really proud of everyone working together to make things more exciting for the fans..
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) January 23, 2017
Don't doubt it will take getting used too. So did the eliminations. Now it's easy... https://t.co/4h5Gp5D3R7
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman) January 24, 2017
Proud to be part of the unprecedented process that created this new format. Really excited to see the impact it will have this season. https://t.co/KT6T5NhlcW
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) January 24, 2017
I like the new @NASCAR racing format. This is definitely going to make he Super Speedway races crazy at 3 different stages of the race
— Jamie McMurray (@jamiemcmurray) January 24, 2017
Really excited about the new @NASCAR racing format for this season! It will create a lot of new strategy and excitement 👍
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) January 24, 2017
Proud to see NASCAR adapt and evolve. I firmly believe this is going to grow the sport and make the racing more exciting.
— Ryan Reed (@driverRyanReed) January 23, 2017
I wish racing could be like it was in the 80s and 90s but it can never go back. So what's wrong with trying to make it more exciting?
— Mark Martin (@markmartin) January 24, 2017
Go figure dude 😂😂. Fast cars, good team, precise strategy. Really simple,no need to over think it https://t.co/MtEvplVzMH it don't kick it🙈 https://t.co/K4nSQvp8Zz
— Slugger Labbe (@SluggerLabbe) January 24, 2017
Really proud of all the hard work that went into the new format! 👍🏻👍🏻 https://t.co/swHuPShKNt
— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) January 24, 2017
Hats off @NASCAR new rules showing INNOVATIVE mentality and will to transform adapting + listening both to Fans and Competitors 👍👍
— Max Papis (@maxpapis) January 24, 2017
I'm pumped for the new @NASCAR format our sport is going to be as exciting as ever I'm even more excited to get to @DISupdates. #nascar
— Ty Dillon (@tydillon) January 24, 2017
So excited about the format changes...this is going to be so much fun! https://t.co/DXJwWOPIxP
— Keith Rodden (@keithrodden) January 24, 2017
Fair enough, that's all we're asking. 100% confident you will like what you see. https://t.co/Wu89MOg7wh
— Regan Smith (@ReganSmith) January 24, 2017
Digging the new @NASCAR racing format. Going to be interesting to see how these stage points effect the way the teams race the entire race.
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) January 24, 2017
It's that simple! After last 80 lap stage, you'll have your race winner. Think periods and bonus pts for leading at breaks. https://t.co/yom7HuqXCc
— Brandon Igdalsky (@bigdalsky) January 24, 2017
If you don't evolve, you eventually go away.
— Hermie Sadler (@HermieSadler) January 24, 2017
Every race matters and that's what the fans deserve, no more waiting for the chase #NASCAR
— Gray Gaulding (@graygaulding) January 23, 2017
Those were my initial thoughts...what do you all think? https://t.co/EUvxXdYO0M
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) January 23, 2017
'Please trust us. This is going to be the best racing you've ever seen.' - @Keselowski pic.twitter.com/rUpn2LY4Kk
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) January 23, 2017
Every race/lap counts. More opportunities for strategy. Some extra DRAMA for a 500 mile race. 👍👍
— David Ragan (@DavidRagan) January 23, 2017
I am a fan @NASCAR. Good work everyone.
Intrigued. Seems like lots of thought went into this new playoff system. 1 bad race won't ruin your chance at a 🏆. 👍🏻 Every lap matters. 👍🏻
— DeLana Harvick (@DeLanaHarvick) January 23, 2017
He always seems to figure all this stuff out the fastest!! #7time https://t.co/iwKqBlfREY
— Elliott Sadler (@Elliott_Sadler) January 23, 2017
Skill can be limited by will; therefore will must always exceed skill.
— Josh Wise (@Josh_Wise) January 23, 2017
Big fan of rewarding drivers for racing up front. Segments w/ format will bring new strategies & challenges for all. Count me in ✋🏻#NASCAR
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) January 23, 2017
All major sports have planned breaks. Those breaks are good for the athletes, fans at the event and at fans at home. The stages are that.
— Michael Waltrip (@MW55) January 23, 2017
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