Chase Elliott calls for drastic NASCAR schedule | Sports News

Chase Elliott has urged NASCAR to increase the quantity of off weekends all through the season, believing it might be for the nice of the game.

Cup Series drivers have had only one weekend off this season, making it a gruelling problem for drivers.

Drivers had the Easter weekend off in April, a quarter of the way in which by way of the season, that means they’re within the midst of a relentless run to November’s championship finale. The playoffs start at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, and Elliott is happy to maneuver on from the “stale” common season.

Elliott begins the postseason in seventh place after one win and 7 top-10 finishes within the common season.

He certified in twenty first place for the Cook Out Southern 500, and forward of the race he made his emotions clear on the Cup Series’ hectic schedule.

“Increasing the off-weekends for everyone, and I think it would be a win for everyone and make people hungrier for what we have and what we do. So I think it’ll be a healthy thing,” he advised ‘The Teardown.’

When requested if the present schedule leaves him and his rivals feeling burnt out, he replied: “I think it’s natural for that a little bit. Probably not as much as it could be for certain roles.

“Like the truck drivers and the guys that are on the road constantly. I think that would definitely be a really tough spot. I give those guys a lot of credit, like that whole Mexico City to Pocono (2,528 miles) deal this year was just incredible.

“I felt terrible for what they had to endure to make those shows go on. And they are the reason the show does go on, and I think that’s always important to remember.” The 29-year-old’s considerations can be barely diminished subsequent season, with two off weeks within the 2026 schedule.

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Elliott insists he has no need to race much less, however he believes more breaks would considerably benefit drivers in addition to cut back the potential for fan weariness attributable to the relentlessness of the present schedule.

He continued: “People sometimes are like, ‘Well, of course you want less races. You don’t want to work as much.’ Not true.

“I’m fine running 50 races. Great, let’s run 50 races between February and Labor Day. Weeknights, whatever you want to do. I’m totally fine racing as much as you want to race. I just think the calendar year time we burn up is what we could help with in creating some hunger in those off months.”