Tyler Reddick, Michael McDowell call for NASCAR to remove stage breaks from road courses

After Sunday’s Grant Park 165, Michael McDowell and Tyler Reddick are requesting NASCAR make a change for future road course races.

The Chicago Street Race had its fair share of issues once again in 2024, namely Mother Nature, but it was still an awesome event. However, McDowell and Reddick believe NASCAR could learn a thing or two from what transpired in the Windy City, citing the removal of stage breaks as a way to improve racing.

First, McDowell responded to the idea, believing there’s no need for stage breaks on road courses, as it makes the racing feel less organic.

"I say at all the road courses, remove the stage breaks again. That was more fun. Let's do that." –@Mc_Driver

McDowell and @TylerReddick say that they prefer to see stage breaks removed at road courses.

📹: @stephen_stumpf pic.twitter.com/oLb1aQBAAx

— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) July 8, 2024

“I say, at all the road courses, remove the stage breaks again. That was more fun. Let’s do that,” McDowell said, via Frontstretch. And then it prevents this, just in case there is weather. That’s how we’re going to pitch it. I think that’s the best way to do it. … I just don’t think we need the breaks here, because they sort of happen organically at the road courses. I mean, they really do. Like, Indy was an anomaly. Obviously, it went green the whole way, but I don’t know anywhere else — well, Sonoma, it did. It would’ve. I don’t know. I really don’t.

“I just don’t think it’s super organic, as far as how it all plays out. I think the fastest car should win, and stage breaks take that away.”

In response, Reddick agreed with his peer, thinking that while NASCAR loves to see some chaos, the racing is simply better without a predetermined caution breaking it up.

“Coming into it, I’m kind of with Michael, the stage breaks do take away from the strategy a bit, but obviously, they want to see restarts, and they want to see some chaos — some controlled chaos, I guess,” the 23XI Racing wheelman added. “Yeah, I think, given the situation today, if they would’ve been like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to get rid of the stage break,’ I feel like half the field probably would’ve been happy about it, and the other half would’ve been upset.”

Alas, it would’ve made sense for NASCAR to adjust over the weekend, as the sun was setting on the Windy City, which forced the Cup Series to race to a time, instead of a distance. While it was still a fascinating finish, removing the stage break after Stage 2 could’ve added five to ten more minutes.

It’s something NASCAR should consider moving forward, as they’ve done it in the past. Michael McDowell and Tyler Reddick certainly wouldn’t mind, and neither would most NASCAR fans, judging from the reaction on social media.