Bubba Wallace Calls Out Problem With NASCAR After Daytona 500

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace speaks with the media during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day at Charlotte Convention Center on August 31, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

NASCAR star Bubba Wallace found himself in agreement with another driver about an issue that manifested during the Daytona 500 yesterday.

The issue at hand is fuel saving and it was fellow driver Erik Jones who really called out NASCAR for the issue, which raised its head for drivers near the end of the race. He pointed out that drivers have to preserve fuel for the first 480 miles and then go all out for the final 20 miles.

“It’s frustrating, I don’t know how to fix it. It’s really hurt the racing for sure at these tracks. It’s a 480 mile fuel saving race and a 20 mile sprint of chaos to the finish. I wish we could race more during the day,” Jones said, via Racing America’s Toby Christie.

Wallace, who finished fifth in the race, agreed. Taking to X, he had just one word for Jones: “Facts.”

Fans have their own ideas on how to mitigate this issue in the future:

“Wouldn’t making 1 or 2 stages short enough to not need pitstops help?” one user proposed.

“Do you think if you did away with stages at superspeedways that it would be different? Maybe take a page out of IMSA and give “endurance” points at certain stages but not go under FCY?” another suggested.

“As a fan it’s not as entertaining either watching a fuel game until chaos breaks loose in the final 10-20 laps,” a third pointed out.

Is there any way to mitigate this issue in the future?