Overview
- NASCAR, which confirmed Monday that Talladega’s stages will end on Laps 98, 143 and 188, said the format should let the final two segments run without refueling.
- The change targets a trend with the Next Gen car where passing is harder in the draft, so teams lift to burn less fuel and gain track position by taking shorter fuel fills on pit road.
- Officials expect a shake‑up in Stage 1 strategy, with some teams trying one stop and others two, a split John Probst said could force groups to adjust plans mid‑run.
- Drivers caution that fuel saving will not vanish, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. noting teams will still trim fuel at stage breaks to match the nine‑to‑ten‑second tire‑change window.
- Looking ahead, president Steve O’Donnell said NASCAR is exploring mandatory four‑tire stops with fuel for Daytona and Talladega in 2027, alongside offseason aero testing to improve passing.