Ty Gibbs took the victory in NASCAR’s first In-Season Challenge last weekend in Indianapolis.
The famous phrase “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” is attributed to Wayne Gretzky, a hockey legend. In his NHL career, Gretzky took 5,088 shots, achieving a record of 1,072 goals. We vividly remember his successes, but not so much the 4,016 missed shots.
This same philosophy applies to the world of NASCAR, where mistakes and failed attempts often endure in the collective memory, especially in the prestigious Cup Series. In the early 2000s, NASCAR underwent a series of radical changes that generated controversy among fans. From the initial implementation of the “Chase” postseason format to the modification of the Southern 500 weekend and the introduction of the “Car of Tomorrow”, the series underwent too many simultaneous transformations.
In its quest to attract a younger audience, NASCAR moved away from what longtime fans knew and appreciated, leading many to question the direction of the series. However, today, it’s time to recognize and value NASCAR’s efforts. Like Gretzky, NASCAR is taking risks, but unlike its predecessors, there now seems to be a deeper reflection behind each decision.
An example of this mentality is the construction of a temporary Major League Baseball stadium inside a racetrack for a single game, as the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds will do this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. If the experience is not satisfactory, it will not be repeated. But if it is successful, it may be considered again.
The question is always, what is your motivation? Why are you doing this? Do you have a broader vision or are you just saying, ‘What the heck?’ and throwing things against the wall?
Joey LoganoThis willingness to experiment is manifested in the inclusion of races on street circuits and the return to historic tracks like North Wilkesboro and The Rock, even if initially for events like the All-Star Race. The rotation of the championship weekend to different circuits and the move to Homestead-Miami Speedway, which hosted the season finale for almost two decades, but not since 2019, are examples of this strategy.
The goal is to move forward, but without losing sight of the past. It is essential to accept mistakes and learn from them. As Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive, said, “There is a spirit that must exist behind decision-making, of breaking new ground, but also of making that ground feel familiar.” Kennedy, grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France, and former racer, understands the importance of the history of the competition.
A clear example is the relocation of the Busch Clash from Daytona to the LA Coliseum, an idea of Kennedy. After three years, the event returned to Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina, a place with a rich history in motorsports.
The mindset has changed. NASCAR has adapted, and is now willing to try new things and discard those that don’t work. The flexibility shown during the pandemic, being the first major sport to return to action, allowed NASCAR to experiment with the schedule and programming. With the disappearance of long-term contracts with the circuits, the door opened to new ideas.
As the release of the 2026 Cup Series schedule approaches, NASCAR has left its summer of experimentation behind. The remaining 14 Cup Series races are known events on familiar circuits, but after the Cup’s second visit to Iowa Speedway, it’s the final period of a summer that has run in Mexico City, made its way through the streets of Chicago, experienced two new oval revivals in Nashville and Indianapolis, and in the midst of it all, has announced a street event for Father’s Day 2026 to be held at a naval base in San Diego.
Furthermore, the In-Season Challenge took place, which, although initially generating skepticism, became a showcase for Ty Gibbs and Ty Dillon.
What’s next? Nobody knows for sure, and that’s exciting. The important thing is that any new developments are framed within the classic elements. The Daytona 500 in February, the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend, and Martinsville Speedway as the autumn chill arrives in the foothills of the Appalachians.
Successful ideas, such as the Clash’s move, the reactivation of North Wilkesboro, and occasional street races, will remain. Those that seemed to work, but disappeared, such as midweek night races and a dirt race per year, could return. Innovative ideas at the time, such as the Charlotte Roval, could receive a new interpretation.
All of this while a Playoffs committee continues to discuss a possible revision of the points system and the sanctioning body actively seeks to add another manufacturer to Chevy, Ford and Toyota. It seems like a lot, because it is. However, it’s not 2004 again. It’s a series of well-thought-out ideas, based on lessons learned. Many shots have been fired, many have been missed, but many have also been achieved.
