NASCAR: Four More Tracks That Need To Add Lights

Night racing is truly unique and adds an added level of excitement about heading to the race track. With attendance on the decline, tracks should explore the option of adding lights to improve the anticipation for racing, attendance, and the on track product, or even capitalize on growing attendance.

There is just something special about racing under the lights.  It adds an element of excitement, danger, and the vibe of a Saturday night shootout. Oftentimes the most exciting races are run at night, such as the Coke Zero 400, with the post-race 4th of July weekend fireworks celebration, or the short track shootouts at Bristol and Richmond (the Chase cutoff race). The last race of the season starts in the daytime and runs into the night, which is one of the coolest elements of the final weekend in Homestead.

There are thirteen Cup Series tracks that have light fixtures surrounding the racetrack to allow racing at night. The added element and stigma of racing at night adds to the thrill of attending a NASCAR race, or any Motorsports event for that matter. There are a lot of factors that tracks must consider when installing lights, most importantly cost, weather, and feasibility. There are a number of tracks where attendance would most likely improve if lights were added. Attendance has been a significant problem for NASCAR over the last several years, so perhaps investing in lights could improve the seats filled by fans and maybe even the product on the track.

There are some tracks that fans would absolutely love to see install lights, to add to the racing product, and others where night racing could improve attendance and have lasting impacts on the success of the track over time. I have compiled a list of the five tracks that would benefit the most from installing lights, which would hopefully please and bring more fans to the racetrack.

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