Overview
- Officials set Stage 1 to Lap 98, Stage 2 to Lap 143, and the finish to Lap 188 for the April 26 Cup race.
- NASCAR said the final two segments are short enough to complete on one tank to cut late-race throttle lifting in the pack.
- The longer opening stage is expected to force early pit calls, with teams weighing one stop versus two.
- Drivers say fuel saving will persist, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. pointing to nine-to-ten-second four-tire stops that reward adding less gas.
- Leaders also outlined longer-term steps, including a winter Daytona aerodynamic test and evaluating mandatory four-tire stops in 2027 at Daytona and Talladega.