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Chase Elliott, a prominent figure in the NASCAR Cup Series and a perennial championship contender, has publicly advocated for an increase in Saturday night races on the sport’s national touring schedule. Speaking on the popular "Bussin’ with the Boys" podcast, Elliott articulated a perspective that prioritizes the in-person fan experience and logistical advantages, a departure from the recent industry trend favoring Sunday night summer broadcasts aimed at maximizing television ratings.
Historically, Saturday night races were a staple of the NASCAR calendar, evoking a distinct atmosphere and drawing significant crowds. However, a strategic shift by broadcast partners and NASCAR itself has seen a greater emphasis placed on Sunday evening events, particularly during the lucrative summer months. Elliott’s remarks suggest a growing sentiment among drivers and, crucially, among the dedicated fanbase that attends races in person, that this recalibration may be inadvertently overlooking key aspects of the sport’s appeal.
The impetus for Elliott’s comments arose when podcast hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton posed a question about a singular rule change he would implement. Elliott, after a moment’s consideration, stated, "One rule, boy, you want to get me in trouble… That’s really tough. Right now, I would lobby for more Saturday night races." He elaborated on the core of his argument, noting, "It’s really simple and you know, it’s not necessarily a rule, but I think that our sport, especially at this time of the year, like I mentioned a second ago, unprompted, that the Saturday night race at Bristol in the Fall there was nothing any better than that."
Elliott’s emphasis on the "Saturday night energy and that vibe" underscores a perceived intangible benefit that resonates with both participants and spectators. He believes this unique atmosphere is a valuable asset that the sport might be underutilizing. "I think our fans and the people that watch NASCAR, I think we all miss that Saturday night energy and that vibe around the races. And I would love to have more of them," he stated.
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The logistical and personal impact on fans attending Sunday night races was a recurring theme in Elliott’s discussion. He pointed to the inherent difficulties faced by those who must travel to races and then return to work or other commitments on Monday mornings. "We don’t have a lot of them in general. We have some of these Sunday night races, which I think are just kind of awkward for people, going back to work on Monday morning," Elliott explained. He offered a stark example: "Unfortunately, when you have a rain delay, like we did at Atlanta, we finished at 2:00 a.m." Such late finishes, exacerbated by unpredictable weather, can create a significant burden for attendees, potentially impacting their decision to attend future events.
During a subsequent press conference at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Elliott further expounded on his observations, grounding his advocacy in direct feedback from the NASCAR community. "Yeah, honestly, those comments came directly from people that I know personally that either went to (Atlanta) and weren’t super thrilled about their Monday morning and probably won’t do it again, or people that chose not to go because they had to go to work on Monday morning," Elliott revealed. He stressed that his perspective is informed by individuals who are not merely passive viewers but are actively investing their time and resources into the sport. "So it stemmed directly from fans of our sport; people that aren’t just watching on TV, people that are spending their money to come support us at the track in-person and in the stands. That was why I said that, just because I have heard it directly."
While acknowledging the significant role of television in shaping broadcast schedules, Elliott suggested a potential for compromise that would better serve the in-person fan base. "And while I totally get that TV runs the show in a lot of ways, there are still a lot of people that like coming to the races and also probably would like a day at home to recover and kind of get their affairs in order to go back to work on Monday," he said. He further articulated his nostalgia for the Saturday night tradition, recalling its impact on his own fandom. "So I think there’s room for middle ground in that. I think Saturday night races have always been a really big deal. Growing up, for me, I always thought they were the most fun, like as a kid, as a fan, coming to the races. I mean, heck, even if I wasn’t there, I was watching it on TV and I was at home. I was fired up to have a Saturday night race. I thought it was great. The only downside was I didn’t have anything to watch on Sunday, but that was part of it, right? Like you were bummed about that when Sunday afternoon rolled around and the race wasn’t on, but the lead in, the excitement and energy for a Saturday night show, I thought, was pretty darn elite.”
Elliott’s argument extends beyond the immediate fan experience at the track, also considering the broader accessibility and enjoyment for at-home viewers. He believes that Saturday night races offer a prime-time slot that doesn’t conflict with the Monday-to-Friday work week, making it more convenient for a wider audience to tune in. "I mean, I think people travel from a lot of different areas for our races, and the further they travel, the harder that is to do," Elliott remarked, alluding to the increased difficulty for fans journeying long distances to attend Sunday night events.
While acknowledging that the exact rationale behind the scheduling shift may be multifaceted, Elliott inferred its connection to broadcast considerations. "No one has told me what the exact reason is for that, so I’m reaching a little bit there. I’m assuming it’s for TV. But yeah, I just think it makes a lot of sense. I think there’s room for it in our sport. We don’t have a lot of Saturday night races, in general, so if you had a couple extra, I’m not sure what that’s hurting really at the end of the day."
Comparing NASCAR’s scheduling challenges to other major sporting events, Elliott highlighted the unique opportunity the sport has with its broadcast partners. He pointed out that while other sports, like baseball with its playoff push, may have scheduling complexities or regional viewing limitations, NASCAR possesses the advantage of national broadcast networks that can reach a wide audience. "And again, you’ve had the World Cup on TV, which it’s winding down right now. There are some other sports here and there, but you know, baseball is probably the biggest thing that’s kind of going on right now and the push to their playoffs. But it can be difficult to watch. Like even as a Braves fan, it may be on TV at certain points in time. Maybe if they’re on the west coast, they have some kind of weird TV stuff, so if you’re not living in that particular region, you’re probably not even eligible to watch."
Elliott concluded by reiterating his belief in the broader benefits of a Saturday night race schedule. "So I think we have a unique opportunity with the networks that we’re on to take advantage of the ability to watch this across the country on the good broadcast partners that we have. I think a Saturday night race is super healthy for people at home watching. And also, the people that are here, it’s an opportunity for them to get home on Sunday and reset and go back to work on Monday." His sentiment reflects a desire to strike a balance that enhances both the immediate excitement of race weekends and the long-term sustainability of fan engagement and attendance.
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