Texas has me as a believer

         As I write this the NASCAR Cup Series will be racing in around 3 hours at Texas Motor Speedway, a track that has left a lot to be desired. The track hasn’t shown the racing that it once had ever since the configuration as turns 1-2 are completely different, flatter and with a more narrow groove for race cars that are very aero dependent. Texas is often looked at as the worst race track, hoped to be reconfigured by many, and frequently used in jokes about turning the place into a Walmart. However I think at least the fall races have been good for Texas standards, and so far this weekend has seemed even better now so I am not one of the haters as of this moment. I’m a believer.

        So far the next gen cars have put on shows at the 1.5 mile racetracks, and outside of the all star race and a tire situation in 2022 playoffs, Texas has improved. The surface is worn out and slick and drivers really have to fight to save their cars from getting to high up the race track when they get loose. I think the race being in the day time with sunny skies also helps. With all that said this track has improved racing and has created drama and forces drivers to race the track differently.

       Now for this weekend In the other two series that raced, the truck series race was a good way to start off the weekend as there were battles for position along with guys slipping and sliding everywhere. Guys were able to go side by side and it seemed like nobody could really get away except for one guy, Kyle Busch. He was able to hold off the field to win but it wasn’t by much. 

         The NASCAR Xfinity Series provided more of the same, as that series already produces the best racing in NASCAR week in and week out in my opinion. This race had slipping and sliding (shout out Taylor Gray), side by side battles, some chaos as well. That’s not all that we had though. Due to a chaotic late race restart we had a battle for the win, with Sam Mayer and Ryan Sieg, which led to to the second closest finish in Xfinity Series history and the closing Texas finish with that being 0.002 seconds as Sam was able to make the last lap pass. 

    So far this weekend the track has produced better racing all around but the big test to win back some fan’s thoughts on this track is coming up in a few hours. The race is 400 miles so it shouldn’t feel as long and gives more of a sense of urgency that can also help the racing. It’s a sunny day and that track hasn’t had grip and it’s been hard to drive all weekend. We saw Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch spin and hit the wall in practice already so the track doesn’t look like it’s going to be any more forgiving today. 

      I hope fans are able to give this track another shot because if nobody adds anymore compound to the racing surface, the track might continue to wear out while delivering the slipping and sliding and the side by side action that we’ve seen all weekend. 


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