Good Track, Bad Car? Fans and Drivers Debate the Next-Gen Short Track Product

As an event, the All Star Race was loved by seemingly all NASCAR fans. The race itself however left a lot to be desired. With only three lead changes and a margin of victory of 4.5 seconds, fans and drivers wondered what could be done about the next-gen short track product.

Races at short tracks have been generally lackluster throughout the last couple of years. Many fans and drivers have theories, but no one really knows how or if it can be fixed.

Around the Garage

Chase Briscoe believes it was more about the track than the car that made the race what it was.

Would a different tire had made a difference? Chase Briscoe, who finished fourth, doesn’t think so. pic.twitter.com/EwXxLu3JWV

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 22, 2023

Dale Earnhardt Jr. loved the event, but agreed that the next-gen car needed some changes.

Lots of thoughts about tonight. So thrilled that racing is back at @NWBSpeedway. We obviously have some work still to do to make the next gen a compelling stock car on short tracks. At the same time, @KyleLarsonRacin dominated, and that’s just how these go sometimes.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 22, 2023

Landon Huffman loved the track, but he disliked the racing product.

My takeaways from tonight.

North Wilkesboro: BAD ASS

Next Gen car: SUCKS

— Landon Huffman (@LandonHuffman) May 22, 2023

In the Stands

jdub1418 expressed that track specific packages are necessary for the short tracks to have a more compelling product.

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by u/jdub1418 from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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The COT did change quite a bit from year one until the end of its’ cycle.

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by u/ChaseTheFalcon from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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JDMcDuffie has three basic things NASCAR can change to make short tracks better.

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by u/JDMcDuffie from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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shttrsful says that changing the tires and engine power are the two easiest solutions.

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by u/shttrsfull from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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MrBadBadly is concerned about what the economic cost of this could be.

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by u/MrBadBadly from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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Probably not feasible.

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by u/NoahGragsonsBarfBag from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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RolandsPube notes that other races on other tracks are significantly better with the next-gen car.

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by u/RolandsPube from discussion Does anyone else still believe the NextGen car can be great everywhere?
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Jim Plyler did not hate the on-track product.

On Your Screen

Eric Estepp liked to see a great driver deservingly win, but he also agreed that the next-gen car needs an improved product on short tracks.

Post-race video will be up after midnight.

Next Gen still needs work on short tracks, that's obvious, but I did enjoy seeing a great driver show us how great he is.

Shame that a "winner take all" event really didn't have any battles for the win, but I still had a good time.

— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) May 22, 2023

Danny B felt that gen-6 cars on the track would be a better show.

This feels like the fastest All-Star race ever.

Blinked and it’s almost over.

And not to be that guy. I love the nostalgia.

But this track was robbed of its best cars that never got to race here.

Just not sure how I’m feeling about the on-track product.

— DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin) (@DannyBTalks) May 22, 2023

Darian Gilliam says that the on-track product was on-par with the typical short track product this season.

The on-track product isn’t surprising if you’ve been watching all season. #NASCAR75

— Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) May 22, 2023

The answer for the short track package for the next-gen car is not a clear one. The bottom line is that short tracks are NASCAR’s bread and butter, and if that product is not great, then is NASCAR really NASCAR?