Ross Chastain unsure if new stage lengths will prevent fuel saving at Talladega

Ross Chastain doesn't know whether or not adjusted stage lengths for the April 26 NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega will weed out fuel mileage racing, and that's the way he likes it. 

"That's what I love about our sport," Chastain said. "It's not cut and dry and NASCAR keeps making changes. Bring them on."

Since the advent of the Next-Gen car in 2022, races at Daytona and Talladega have been defined by drivers running part-throttle until the race's end. The reason? The Next-Gen car has more drag, making it more difficult for drivers to gain spots in the draft during green flag racing. 

That makes pit road a prime spot for drivers to gain track position, and less time in the pits taking on fuel means more ground on the racetrack. 

NASCAR trying to solve fuel mileage racing problem

Fans understandably don't love drivers racing at half-throttle around two tracks known for all-out, full-speed racing. That's why NASCAR adjusted the stage lengths for the Jack Link's 500, making the first stage a 98-lap marathon and the final two each 45-lap sprints. 

The short nature of stage 2 means drivers won't have to pit until the end of the stage and will be able to go to the end of the race without a green flag stop in the final stage. The change, in theory, will force drivers to be on the gas for the final 90 laps. 

Chastain did not explicitly give away his game plan for Sunday's race. 

"I know that I'm going to try to go as fast as I can by using the least amount of fuel and taking care of my tires," Chastain said. "I'm going to try to do that this Sunday in the long stage and the short stages. If I can cycle forward by using less fuel than everybody, I'm really doing my job. I don't know how it's going to work out."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted