NASCAR’s 2018 Cup Series schedule has plenty of positives

Changes were needed — that much had been apparent for some time. The Monster Energy Cup Series schedule had not only become monotonous, its 10-race playoff lacked a single road course and just a lone short track — the two styles of tracks a large segment of fans have clamored for the most.

On Tuesday, NASCAR took major steps to rectify the issues. And because of the restrictions placed by the sanctioning agreement it has with current tracks guaranteeing specific dates through the 2020 season, NASCAR deserves praise for injecting some much-needed excitement into the playoffs layout when it released its 2018 Cup schedule.

Richmond International Raceway, a three-quarter mile oval, was moved into the playoffs as the middle race of the first round. And while Charlotte Motor Speedway will continue having a presence in the postseason, its race will shift off the 1.5-mile to the 2.4-mile road course that incorporates parts of the oval track. This marks the first time a road will factor into the championship since NASCAR went to a playoff format prior to the 2004 season.

Other positives include Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which obtained a second date in a deal announced in March, being awarded the first playoff race. Few NASCAR stops do better in terms of promotion than Las Vegas, with the tourism board going to great lengths each March to make fans feel welcome and build excitement around its spring race. With the city already a destination for fans, the first playoff race shouldn’t lack for buzz.

There were, however, some head scratching decisions revealed Tuesday.

The continually dwindling attendance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway each summer made it obvious something needed to be done to restore the luster to the Brickyard 400. Much speculation has centered on doing exactly what Charlotte did: Moving the race from the oval to its road course, which hosts an IndyCar Series race and previously Formula One.

Instead, the race will stay on the relatively flat 2.5-mile oval that’s demonstrated it’s not conducive to putting on an entertaining stock car race. But Indianapolis now concludes the 26-race regular season, with the hope that as the last race for drivers to earn a playoff berth, it will stimulate the on-track action.

Curious logic when you consider drivers have never lacked enthusiasm when it comes to racing at Indianapolis. The Brickyard 400 is regarded as one of NASCAR’s signature events, and a victory there is cherished.

Also puzzling is the race now falls on the same Sunday as the NFL’s opening weekend, almost assuring anything that happens on the track will be secondary to what occurs on the gridiron. Don’t expect to see many NASCAR highlights on local news.

Making Vegas the playoff opener meant Chicagoland Speedway was left without a spot, and moving it elsewhere in the postseason wasn’t a realistic. Thus, the track is relegated to July 1, though without the cache of impacting the championship in the same manner. Which raises questions whether a nondescript Sunday afternoon race in the summer can capture the attention of what is the country’s third-most populous city.

And Atlanta Motor Speedway remaining as the second race of the season is baffling. Although the track is among the best intermediate ovals on the schedule, inclement weather has repeatedly been an issue. A date in the late spring or early summer would do wonders in helping Atlanta sell tickets, something it’s struggled to do.

Obviously NASCAR is handcuffed with only so many venues suitable to host a race at the end of February. But all involved would seemingly be best served if the three-race West Coast swing began immediately following the Daytona 500 instead of the week after Atlanta.

Still, the plusses far outweigh the negatives. The playoffs needed a dramatic shakeup, and the addition of a road course and second short track certainly qualifies. Now let’s hope an even bigger restructuring of the schedule awaits when the sanctioning agreement expires.