Whether you watch NASCAR, IndyCar or Formula One these days, you’re going to have to
understand that racing is focusing more on entertainment and business decisions than pure, all-
our competition. Is that good or bad? You decide, but let me explain what I’m talking about.
In NASCAR, they have “stage racing” which is meant to spice up the show where you can “win”
your stage and get more points towards the championship. Why would you have multiple
checkered flags in one race? Ask NASCAR. They believe that there’s more excitement
throughout the overall race by adding these in. Of course, they also subscribe to the theory of no
yellow-flag finishes, therefore they’ve gone to the “green, white, checker” ending to avoid
finishing under yellow. This brings up it’s own complication as instead of the originally
scheduled 500 miles or kilometers or whatever the race distance was supposed to be, it can now
be lengthened to 505 or whatever it takes to get it done based on their rules. As a race team, you
better be prepared with extra fuel on board or else you could risk running out. Lastly, they have
the “Chase” which is designed to be like NFL, MLB or NBA series whereby only the top teams
are eligible for the championship. The last few races of the season narrow down these top teams
with four teams dropping out every few races until only four teams are eligible for the
championship at the last race. No matter what kind of season you’ve had up to that point, you
might get knocked out early and prevented from winning a championship. Everybody knows the
rules, but it’s still another gimmick.

In IndyCar and Formula One, they both rely on hybrid power to satisfy manufacturer interest in a
more environmentally friendly and front facing “green” sport. From a team standpoint, it adds a
tremendous amount of complexity and cost. Does it make the racing any better? Some people
will say that it’s more interesting to see how the drivers deploy the extra energy to aid in passing
while others will call this a gimmick. F1 has had DRS (Drag Reduction System) in place for the
last few years whereby if you’re within a second behind the car in front, your rear wing flattens
out to take away drag and enhance straightline top speed. For 2026, there will be active
aerodynamics which will “open” both front and rear wings. After Jim Hall invented that back in
the 1960s, it was banned almost immediately. Now it’s back!

IndyCar also has used the guayule “green” sidewall tires with the desert plant being used to make
the Firestone tires more environmentally friendly. For 2026, Firestone will be using the “Enliten”
tires which take advantage of recycled materials to use more “sustainably focused technology.”
Do all of these technologies and rules make the racing better? That’s open to debate. Tell us what
you think via our Instagram channel at: https://www.instagram.com/fastlaneracingschool/

By Larry Mason

Copyright © 2026 Larry Mason