NASCAR analyst furious at age rule change – Sports News
Parker Kligerman has slammed NASCAR’s determination to loosen eligibility guidelines, following a shake-up in all three national collection forward of the 2026 season.
NASCAR has unveiled important adjustments for 2026, together with a new rule that enables 17-year-old drivers to race within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on street programs and oval tracks measuring 1.25 miles or shorter. Previously, the age restrict for all tracks was 18 and up.
There has additionally been a change to the ‘Kyle Busch‘ rule, as Cup Series drivers with over three years of expertise will likely be eligible to compete in more races within the decrease national collection. Kligerman, a NASCAR veteran and NBC analyst, is sad with the revised guidelines.
From 2026, 17-year-old drivers can compete within the previously identified Xfinity Series, now often known as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, on street programs and oval tracks 1.25 miles or shorter. For oval tracks which can be 1.25 miles or longer, the minimal age requirement will stay 18.
Speaking on The Money Lap podcast, Kligerman slammed the adjustments and claimed that the general product will likely be ‘cheapened’ if the age restrict is lowered. “I believe there’s a certain driver that will be announced in doing Xfinity that this was helping out in some respects,” Kligerman alleged.
“You know, motorsports is different than other sports in that respect. And I also believe what it does is just continually can cheapen the product in some respects.”
Kligerman might solely be 35, however he has huge expertise within the three national collection in NASCAR. The veteran has raced 122 instances within the Craftsman Truck Series, profitable three races and securing 53 top-10 finishes.
Coincidentally, Kligerman has additionally raced 122 instances within the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with 53 top-10 finishes additionally logged. In the Cup Series, Kligerman raced 30 instances, breaking into the highest 15 twice.
The Truck Series is set for an even bigger change, as 16-year-old drivers will likely be allowed to compete on tracks which can be 1.25 miles or shorter, in addition to on street programs. Kligerman, who nonetheless races part-time within the Truck Series, is worried that inexperienced drivers who might enter the equation might hurt the product.
“So I didn’t love that,” Kligerman added. “Going to 16 years old in the Truck Series really cheapened the Truck Series in a lot of respects. And I felt like 18 was a good place to be for Xfinity, considering the seriousness and the level of that championship.
“And I even had a dialogue with a present Xfinity driver that was a rookie this 12 months. And he stated, I hope they don’t go to 16. I did Truck Series begins at 16. And I used to be completely not ready or prepared.”
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