While there are 40 cars that start each in the NASCAR Cup Series, it feels like about only half of the field has a realistic chance of winning. Perhaps as many as 25 cars have a real chance of contending, but it never seems like all 40 cars have a chance.
Should NASCAR trim down the field? Analyst Kenny Wallace certainly thinks so, and he tweeted about the issue on Monday. He said most racing series start between 20-24 cars, and he agreed with a fan who said NASCAR needs to decrease the field down to 30-35 cars each week.
i think they need to drop it down 30 to 35 range. Too many if these filler cars just filling a spot and causing issues.
— Todd (@TGross14) November 6, 2017
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Wallace said NASCAR starts far too many cars -- especially compared to other racing series.
This is a more realistic conversation. Because. Compared to all other racing series. #Nascar starts WAY to many cars. https://t.co/RYFNJWqhnq
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) November 6, 2017
And what happens when there are too many cars? Usually it leads to more wrecks and caution flags that have a negative effect on the race.
The teams without major funding naturally struggle more on a consistent basis than other teams, and it often leads to a sloppier and less efficient race. If NASCAR cut back on the field from 40 cars to 30 or even 35, it would likely lead to a better product.
It's difficult to tell how that would impact things on the financial side, so it's unclear whether NASCAR officials would be willing to make the change.
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