Why doesn’t NASCAR have more short track races?

Coming off its version of spring break, NASCAR paid its first visit of the season to a short track Sunday. Martinsville Speedway hosted an exciting, drama-filled event, the exact kind of short track race that prompted a large number of emails asking the same question as the one leading off this week’s mailbag.

If everyone loves short tracks and the racing is usually good, then why can’t we have more short track races? Seems pretty straightforward to me. NASCAR would be so much better with more short tracks than a bunch of 1.5-mile tracks where there’s not much passing and little excitement.

--Sam

Rarely are drivers, fans and even the media in near universal agreement on a topic -- except when it comes to NASCAR needing a greater number of short tracks on the Sprint Cup schedule. Only six of 36 races are held on ovals less then a mile in length, a disproportionate number considering the overabundance of intermediate speedways that, as Sam states, offer a form of racing that too frequently lends itself to producing an inferior product.

But while most everyone would like to see additional short tracks, the problem comes when determining suitable venues to host NASCAR’s premier division. On that front, the options become scarce. Say what you will about NASCAR’s attendance woes, but a track still must be able to have seating for 45,000. Then there is the issue of SAFER barriers, which NASCAR mandates a track have covering the outside wall through the turns. Not many smaller tracks have energy-absorbent walls already in place or the means to install them where needed.

The one track often mentioned is Iowa Speedway, which hosts a pair of Xfinity Series races and a Truck Series event annually. The three-quarter mile oval regularly receives rave reviews, as its multiple grooves and wide surface generate side-by-side racing and passing opportunities. Drivers love it and many have lobbied for Iowa to get a Cup date.

However, Iowa has battled its own issues with attendance, requires capital improvements and in a market well-served with Kansas Speedway hosting two Cup weekends and Chicago Speedway a single date. Four races on three tracks just hours apart may be a bit of over-saturation.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but during the track-building boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s it would have been nice if, instead of a proliferation of mile-and-a-half speedways, there would have been the construction of another short track or two. Alas, there wasn’t. That means the Cup schedule will in all likelihood stay as is for the foreseeable future.

I love Clint Bowyer and while I knew him going to HScott (Motorsports) this year meant he was going to struggle I didn’t think it would be this bad. Even at Martinsville, one of Clint’s best tracks, he was bad. Is it him and he’s just waiting until he takes over for Tony (Stewart) or is it the team?

--Darren

Without question it’s been an incredibly slow start for Bowyer. His best result so far is 18th, he possesses an average finish of 27th and he currently resides 31st in points.

There is often an acclimation process when a driver joins a new team. However, what’s worrisome is that there have been no encouraging signs and zero instances where you think the No. 15 team is turning a corner and poised for better finishes. And judging by the tone of the radio communication, the frustration level is rising with each passing week.

But is this really surprising and is Bowyer to blame? The answer to both questions is no.

Having come into existence as a Cup team in late 2013, HScott is still a relatively new operation lacking the resources -- financially and otherwise -- to overcome its shortcomings. The intent behind signing Bowyer was that his ability would help bridge that gap, similar to how Kurt Busch elevated Furniture Row Racing in his lone season driving for the Denver-based team. Bowyer was supposed to lay a foundation for HScott to build upon after he leaves for Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of the year.

The difference, however, is that before Busch’s arrival Furniture Row had proven it could win and regularly finish inside the top 10. HScott has never done that. In the 129 combined races the two-car team has competed, it only has one top-10 finish and the best one of its drivers has placed in points is Justin Allgaier’s 30th-place ranking last season.

What you’re seeing from Bowyer is a driver who doesn’t have the necessary equipment to be competitive, a performance in line with what HScott is currently capable of.

So Kyle Busch wins Martinsville and all of sudden he’s supposed to be the greatest driver ever. If that’s the case then what does that make Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, who both have more Martinsville wins than Busch and more wins overall? Shouldn’t they be considered the greatest?

--Mike

Reading your Martinsville recap and it hit me that I didn’t realize Busch was only 30?! He seems so much older than that. And now knowing his exact age, it’s amazing to think how many more years he has left to race and how many more races he’ll win. It almost seems a for sure thing that he’ll have more wins than anyone else besides (Richard) Petty when he retires.

--Jay

Two emails illustrating just how polarizing a Kyle Busch victory can be. One fan is utterly dismissive and another left impressed.

The significance of Sunday’s win isn’t Busch reaching the same plateau as Gordon and Johnson, but that he is on the trajectory to join them in the pantheon of great NASCAR drivers.

With youth on his side, Busch still has another 10-15 years where multiple victories each season is the minimum expectation. And if he can average five wins per season over the next 13 years that would give him exactly 100 victories, which would surpass Gordon (93) and will either topple or be within range of Johnson’s total. That’s not even taking into account Busch will likely have won on every track whereas Gordon didn’t and Johnson is still to be determined.

Whether you like or loathe Busch, the realistic possibility of him hitting the century mark in career wins is a worthy discussion point.