NASCAR Schedule Changes Possible

 There have been some rumours that the Daytona 500 will not be the first points race of the 2022 NASCAR cup series season. I don’t know what these rumours could mean. My first thought is that stage racing is ending at the end of this year and the 150 mile qualifying races for the 500 will pay points to everyone who competes in them as they did for the first decades of their existence. This does not seem likely as the stage breaks do allow  the networks to preplan commercial spots. 

For years the first points race of the NASCAR season was at Riverside, California, a road course. We know that the track cannot be used again because it no longer exists it has been replaced by a housing development. Auto Club speedway in Fontana, California is going to be torn down and replaced by a half mile short track after its event in 2022. Running that race early in the year would be a good idea as it would allow for more time in construction. Another option is the road course in Sonoma, I would prefer that the race be held at Sonoma because it would allow the course to be green instead of brown. But logic would dictate that the first race of the 22 season if it is not the Daytona 500 should be at Auto Club Speedway to allow for extra time in case of disaster in construction or another pandmeic happening.