Backseat Blonde - 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Schedule (Hopefully) to Maintain Status Quo

August 2, 2005

2006 Cup Schedule (Hopefully) to Maintain Status Quo
By Allison Wagda

So far the new millennium has brought about many
changes in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series, and more
than a few have proven unpalatable to race fans. But
perhaps the most controversial to traditionalists has
been NASCAR’s ‘Realignment 2004 and Beyond’
initiative – first announced in January of 2003.

In two short years we’ve shuttered Rockingham and lost the good old Southern 500.
Rumors have swirled around the long-term fate of Darlington Raceway as the track
has been whittled down to a single race date, and speculation has run high about
possible international expansion to Mexico and Canada. And who the heck knows
what tracks will get squeezed out when New York and Seattle enter the picture.

But if recent history is any indication, fans can probably breathe a sigh of relief for
2006. Beyond that, expect the worst and hope for the best.

NASCAR has a habit of announcing its schedule for the following year in mid-August
or later. Yet in major realignment years, the company seems to employ a more
conservative strategy: announce early, maybe May or June, so naysayers can get
their “whining” out of their system. By the time the new season rolls around, it’s such
old news that anyone who rehashes it is portrayed as uncompromising.

It’s now the beginning of August, and nary a word out of Daytona. I could be wrong
but…

I’m not saying nothing could change. But we’ve already heard Darlington has been
given the green light for another year. We may see a minor shake-up of the
(ridiculous) Chase dates/tracks, as the addition of a road course should be seen as
a priority.

I bet we see more night races too. Yeah, I know the cars look neat-o under the lights,
but honestly this might be a case of too much of a good thing. Night races are losing
that cool factor awfully quick, not to mention putting a kink in my Saturday-night party
schedule.

I know major scheduling changes are on the horizon, as the apparent desire to rule
the world has somewhat overruled the common sense of those playing roulette with
the series. If only to preserve your own sanity, you should be prepared to face that
day.

And also take responsibility for helping to save those venues you love. If Darlington
and Martinsville and others on the chopping block can continue to sell out and
produce stellar ratings, the decision-makers can’t blame the fans for their own
ambitions. And if you happen to change the channel or actually go and enjoy the
great outdoors during races at less entertaining cookie cutter tracks in “major media
markets,” well, that won’t hurt either.

There’s power in numbers, and while they may currently hold the power, we hold the
numbers. Let’s use ‘em.

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