The only certainties regarding the 2015 Sprint Cup schedule are that the season will begin with the Daytona 500 in February, hold its annual Sunday of Memorial Day race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and then end at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Brian France: ‘Robust discussion’ on 2015 Sprint Cup schedule
NASCAR chairman Brian France touched on a variety of pertinent topics during his annual state of the sport address Saturday at Daytona.
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
After that, it’s unknown what the rest of the slate will look like. That was the main takeaway from NASCAR chairman Brian France’s midseason state of the sport address.
“It’s fair to say there’s a robust discussion within the stakeholders to come up with the best schedule that we can for 2015 and beyond,” France said Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
With NBC taking over broadcast rights to the second half of the season from ABC/ESPN/TNT in 2015, it has long been thought NASCAR would use the opportunity to reconfigure the schedule. The principle goal would be to alleviate an early stretch of spring races which have traditionally been plagued by inclement weather.
Races at Bristol and Texas faced significant delays this season, with Texas postponed from Sunday to Monday. Other early-season events also experienced weather issues.
The 2015 schedule is expected to be released in September. As it has since 2002, Homestead will continue hosting the season-finale for the “foreseeable future,” France said.
No tracks are expected to lose dates next season, and there will be no additions. Iowa Speedway, long thought to be in line for a possible Cup race, is not under consideration despite being purchased by the France family last November.
“We don’t have plans for a Cup date there,” France said. “But they’ve got a nice full schedule with IndyCar and Nationwide, and I think that’s where that remains.”
Other topics of note during France’s press conference:
-- NASCAR is pleased with the reduction of points racing and the greater emphasis placed on winning. The new formula almost guarantees a driver a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup if they win a regular season race.
“I think we can all see the benefits of changing the winning importance, and it in fact has changed the racing on the track,” France said. “There’s no question about it. The drivers are telling us that. They’re taking different kind of chances. They’re going for wins when they would have played it safe otherwise.”
-- Despite consternation from many fans, NASCAR is not looking at limiting the number of starts Cup drivers’ make in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. France cited the experience young drivers get racing Cup veterans.
-- France is confident in the search for a replacement title sponsor for the Nationwide Series. He hinted a final decision could be made within the next few weeks.
-- NASCAR would like to foster growth in its ownership ranks, and is continuing to look at ways to reduce costs for teams. One area officials are looking at is reducing engine horsepower, and other rule changes pertaining to the car.
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