The 2022 season has gotten off to probably the best start that anyone could have asked for.
NASCAR had hit four home runs with this new car. From the Clash at the Coliseum to Daytona to the biggest question of the year, how would these cars race at 1.5-2 mile tracks. It was what you anticipated. I know I loved every minute of it.
That made the lead up to Phoenix one of the most hyped events of the year so far. Teams would be gaining information for the Championship race.
Fans flocked to the desert for the race, a full sellout; yet another for NASCAR.
Add in the fact that NASCAR has been the most watched sporting event on TV for three straight weeks, it was set for a fun day in the sun.
That didn’t happen on Sunday at Phoenix.
Outside of restarts, the race was pretty meh. Yes, there was some racing throughout the field but just not near as strong as we saw in the first four races. When competing against the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, I’ll admit, I watched more of the Selection Show than the race – I had to go back and watch it later, even though it was already on.
That’s not a good sign for what could come. For the next three weeks, the sport will be competing for with March Madness for its TV audience. Today’s snoozer doesn’t help that case.
Chase Briscoe became the sport’s 200th different winner, which was cool. There was a late-race restart to help spark things a bit. Overall, the race as a whole was a typical Phoenix race.
The hype was there and it was real for a reason. Even though Phoenix isn’t a true short track, the race at the Clash showed promise heading into the short track season. It really gave NASCAR national momentum. Today was a set back.
Did the previous races in 2022 rock because the cars were spinning out on their own? Or was it because they were able to run down the leader and make passes? Whatever it was, wasn’t there today.
By no means am I saying that we should throw everything out and try again. I do feel a lot of this has to do with the lack of race-ability that Phoenix has. The races there have not been good for quite some time. If it wasn’t for restarts there that track would be even more boring. Thank goodness for restarts honestly at that track. Most of the problems lie with the track just being awful to race at and I don’t know why. But do the cars have something to do with it?
I think the Next Gen car has done it’s job so far this season. It’s created parity with drivers like Briscoe, Ross Chastain, Tyler Reddick, Daniel Suarez and Chris Buescher all finishing inside the top ten. When there has been contact from car to car, they are able to keep going without cutting a tire. We did see some tire issues today, but for the most part it’s been great. Today just wasn’t that day.
How do they fix or adjust the lack of product?
NASCAR doesn’t have a reason to change things. Not yet. However, they do need to really hope that it doesn’t happen too much or too soon again.
The upcoming races are huge for NASCAR and the Gen 7 car. If it doesn’t deliver at ‘New Atlanta’ then there will be some very upset fans. The new fans the series attracted will lose attention and find their way out. Keep drawing them in with good racing not three hours of boring.
Like I said, I think most of it had to do with the track and not the car. But we don’t know that. If there is going to be a Championship race held here in November, the facility needs to figure out the racing.
It was not the sport’s brightest moment but it wasn’t their darkest either. The car needs some work still, they just can’t afford back-to-back duds.
