NASCAR has not been shy when it relates to changing the schedule and that is a major shift compared to the last decade. The sport used to be reluctant to make changes but the thought process behind the decision-making has been adjusted.
Now, the racing series has taken a step to the next level. NASCAR introduced the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum in 2022 and the Chicago Street Course in 2023. The street course will be the first one ever attempted in the sport’s history.
This doesn’t even include the introduction of Nashville Superspeedway or Circuit of the Americas. However, there is another popular race that could suffer the consequences of NASCAR’s altering of the 2024 schedule.
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NASCAR might take away the Charlotte ROVAL, return to the oval layout in 2024
As previously said, NASCAR has been bold with the schedule for a number of years and that is not likely to change any time soon. There are multiple ideas floating around that NASCAR could look to accomplish in the coming seasons.
The sports wants to take the Cup Series internationally and Montreal, Canada has been one point of focus. Meanwhile, Bristol Dirt is not likely to return in 2024 and North Wilkesboro Speedway could be a possible replacement.
Finally, Indianapolis Motor Speedway could move away from the road course layout and return to the famous oval track next year. It would be a major adjustment as the races in Indianapolis have been a mess since the introduction of the road course.
Now, another track could see a similar fate as Indianapolis next season. According to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, it would not be surprising if there is a push for Speedway Motorsports to move away from the Charlotte ROVAL and return to the 1.5-mile oval layout in the 2024 playoffs.
NASCAR drivers and fans believe there are too many road courses on the schedule and this could be why these venues could return to the oval layouts. Plus, the road course racing with the NextGen car has simply not been good.
The introduction of the NextGen car has reignited the racing on oval tracks as it sometimes puts on the best racing out of any style. Both road courses and short tracks have seen significant problems due to the tire and package.
The easiest fix would be to move away from these hybrid ROVAL tracks and go back to their traditional layouts. NASCAR doesn’t need ROVAL tracks and if the sport wants to introduce more road courses in the future, it would be smart to enter a venue designed for it.
Either way, it appears that NASCAR realizes that there might be too many road courses on the schedule. Charlotte and Indianapolis, two of NASCAR’s most popular tracks, could see significant changes for the 2024 season.
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