Steve Phelps: NASCAR ‘schedule variation’ will continue 

In the last few years, NASCAR has taken a bold approach to the schedule. From the LA Coliseum to North Wilkesboro and more. The Cup Series will travel to Bowman Gray Stadium as well as Mexico City in 2025.

If you are a fan of this new take on the schedule, good news. That approach is not going away any time soon. NASCAR plans to keep pushing the schedule to bold, new places for fans old and new.

The schedule is going to new places. International races. President Steve Phelps assured fans that practice will continue. He took part in the Race Industry Week webinar this week and explained it to Brad Gillie.

“What our team has done from a schedule variation standpoint, including Mexico City, I think really works,” Phelps said. “And I think we’ve seen that it has worked. You know, the racing in Chicago and how great that’s been other than the torrential rain that we’ve had. I think it’s a nod to what our media partners want, I think it’s a nod to what our race fans, what they want.”

Later in the interview, he went further into the topic. Phelps is focused on making the schedule new and exciting on a yearly basis.

“The one thing I will say is that schedule variation is going to continue. We are not going to rest on this schedule and just say, ‘Hey it’s just this schedule and that’s the way it’s going to be.’ I think for us, it, looking at different marketplaces, whether it’s north of the border, whether it is other opportunities domestically, or other places around the world. All of those things are being looked at at this particular point.”

The NASCAR schedule has changed in recent years. To make room for Mexico City, Richmond lost a date. That’s mostly due to ratings and in-person attendance.

Making NASCAR a more global series and brand is important. When you look at Formula 1 and MotoGP, these are massive brands that travel the world. That’s part of the overall appeal.

When it comes to adding another manufacturer, being a global brand is important. Perhaps increased interest in Mexico and South America can help convince Honda or Hyundai to enter NASCAR in the near future.

Is NASCAR doing good by going to these new venues? Or is the sport straying too far from its traditions? When you see the empty seats at Richmond, it’s hard to argue against the decision.