Prior to the Cup race at Talladega, NASCAR announced changes in the stage lengths. Instead of 60-60-68 lap stages, the first stage was lengthened to make the ratio 98-45-45, aiming to avoid a fuel-saving race at the 2.66-mile Superspeedway.

However, the problem wasn't entirely solved, and some drivers complained after the race. NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell also admitted that it wasn't a "perfect" fix. They wanted to make a change on the sporting side instead of changing the car.

NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran recently spoke about the stages and potential changes to the car. During an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Moran revealed NASCAR will continue active discussions with OEMs to potentially make such changes this season if it facilitates better racing.

"We have a working group that has several teams represented, and each OEM that we have working on are basically all the racing packages, but the superspeedway is one of the main reasons that we all get together and have a lot of discussions. That's how we come up with changes for the stages as well. We start from the sporting side of things."

He also revealed that Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin proactively joined the discussions.

"We're going to start, I think it is tomorrow, we're going to start again on what is possible, what else can we do, and when can we do it? So it's all getting discussed. Denny Hamlin reached out to NASCAR and wanted to be included in those decisions and discussions, so that's good. That's obviously a great superspeed racer of our sport, so it's going to be nice to have him join the group as well," Moran added.

Denny Hamlin has been very vocal when it comes to changes that can steer NASCAR in a better direction.

When Denny Hamlin highlighted the benefits of stage racing in NASCAR

NASCAR introduced stages in 2017, mainly from a commercial POV, to aid sponsors and potential partners. Since then, it has left fans divided about its merits.

In 2023, during an episode of his podcast "Actions Detrimental," Hamlin spoke about why stage racing needs to stay. He said, "I remember when we talked about stages and whatnot, it’s an absolute must. It also, if you didn’t have stages, the No. 24 car would have led every ******* lap of [Las Vegas] on Sunday. I mean, because what is there to break it up? You have to, I mean, unless there’s a wreck or he has a bad pit stop, he’s gonna dominate."

At Talladega last Sunday, the second and third stages delivered some drama. The "Big One" on lap 115 shook up the pecking order, eventually giving Carson Hocevar his first Cup win. Steve O'Donnell was pleased with how the racing went in those shorter stages.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yask Kotak