NASCAR announces stage lengths for Monster Energy Cup Series races
NASCAR has released the stage lengths for each race in the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
In a statement, NASCAR said, "A number of factors went into determining the lap count for Stage 1, Stage 2 and the Final Stage of each race, with a singular goal in mind – the best racing for NASCAR fans."
In Januaray, NASCAR made a huge announcement by making sweeping “competition enhancements” for all three of its national touring series. Among them: a three-stage race format that will break the races into segments and distribute points for drivers in the top 10 at the conclusion of each stage.
NASCAR also released the stage lengths for all XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series races on Thursday morning. Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, said the governing body weighed the unique characteristics of each track in determining the length of the stages for each individual race.
“Every track is unique for its characteristics in length, surface and overall racing conditions,” said Miller. “We worked closely with race teams on expected fuel and tire runs over the entirety of an event when considering stage lengths. And in the end, stage lengths were decided based upon what would provide the best race for fans.”
Last week, NASCAR announced the stage lengths for the Daytona 500 (live on FOX Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. ET). For the Great American Race, the stages are scheduled to end on lap 60, lap 120 and lap 200 -- so the first two stages will be 60 laps each and the final stage that determines the race winner will be 80.
For the full list of stages for the remainder of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, see below.
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