NASCAR: The best and worst changes to the 2021 schedule

7 of 7

Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Bad change: Texas Motor Speedway All-Star Race

Date: Sunday, June 13 | Race N/A of 36

I understand why Speedway Motorsports Inc. made the decision to make the second Texas Motor Speedway race a non-points race. That way, Circuit of the Americas could get a NASCAR race weekend. But why did Texas Motor Speedway have to get the All-Star Race?

Texas Motor Speedway has usually not been an exciting track for the Cup Series since its reconfiguration in 2017.

More from NASCAR Cup Series

However, the high downforce package seems to have worked there, resulting in more side-by-side action and close racing. While the race is scheduled to take place under the lights, it should be a hot night, thus creating a slick track.

Texas is not a bad place to have an All-Star Race. The theme will probably be “The All-Star Race Gets Bigger.” But to a NASCAR fan, I don’t think this is going to be a track that ends up getting more fans to tune in or attend. Tracks such as Phoenix Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Darlington Speedway or even Charlotte Motor Speedway will get fans watching.

I do believe, however, that NASCAR should change the All-Star Race venue every year, as long as the track they select has lights.

While the racing at Bristol Motor Speedway is better than the racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it’s still appropriate to swap the venue like other sports do for their All-Star events. So if this lasts for just a year, I’m okay with it.

Next. Early 2021 NASCAR power rankings. dark

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to begin on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, with the 63rd annual Daytona 500. Fox is set to broadcast the race live from Daytona International Speedway beginning at 2:30 pm ET.

Home/NASCAR Cup Series