NASCAR drivers express their disappointment with the recent removal of scoring pylon at race tracks. The pylons have been a source of excitement for both fans and drivers, providing a way to track the position of the racers and generating entertainment as their numbers climb on the board. However, NASCAR has taken the surprising decision to remove the pylons from Texas Motor Speedway and Talladega.
This decision has sparked controversy, with many current and former drivers speaking out against it. One of the leading voices against the decision is Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing team and JGR driver, who took to social media to express his dissatisfaction and call for an update. Now, Hamlin’s driver, Bubba Wallace, has also weighed in on the issue.
Wallace, driver of the Toyota Camry No:23, emphasized the importance of pylons as a tool for both drivers and fans. He used them to determine his position in the race and the remaining laps. Wallace also highlighted the excitement fans feel when they see their favorite driver’s number rise to the top.
“We use this as a tool to see where we are in position, how many laps we have left and it gives the fans something to… you see in the standings, that number, your favorite driver’s number goes to the top. I find that exciting,” Wallace said.
Even Chase Elliott, driver for Hendrick Motorsports, who is not known for speaking out on controversies, criticized the removal of scoring pylons. He emphasized the importance of preserving NASCAR traditions and suggested that the decision was not in line with that.
The NASCAR stated that the decision to remove the gantries was made to update outdated technology. However, the drivers are not convinced, as the absence of an LED screen to replace the gantries would harm the excitement for the fans in the stands, who would now have to rely on their phones or digital devices.
