This Is Why We Love NASCAR Restrictor Plate Racing

To some, the Cup elimination race at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend was boring. But to those who love NASCAR restrictor plate racing, it had everything you could ask for.

As long as there has been racing, there has been the constant debate about what track(s) are superior. Whether you’re a fan of short track racing, the intermediate ovals, or the road courses, everyone has their reasons for why they love their racing so much. For fans of superspeedway racing, however, often times the product on track comes with a number of criticisms.

To some, NASCAR restrictor plate racing is a giant explosion waiting to happen. It is often in this form of racing, seen at the goliath tracks like Daytona and Talladega, that furthers the stereotypes to those who are not racing fans. They continue to believe that the drivers just race in circles, and the fans watch to see them crash spectacularly. And certainly, there are some fans that do exactly that.

For your consideration, I present the 2016 Hellmann’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, the final race in the Round of 12 in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The race was won by Joey Logano, but some fans will argue that the race lacked excitement and drama compared to 2015. Perhaps those fans are looking in the wrong places for the true goosebump moments of restrictor plate racing.

The entire weekend at NASCAR’s largest oval was full of these plate drama moments. What makes this type of racing so special is the new faces that get seen at the top of the leaderboard, that sometimes can translate into a big win. Grant Enfinger did exactly that on Saturday in the Truck Series race, his first win in the division. And Brian Scott was very close on Sunday to matching the feat, coming home second to Logano.

But of course, it’s not just in the race that new faces emerge through restrictor plate racing. How many people considered Reed Sorenson as a real contender for a Cup Series pole before he advanced out of round one of qualifying on Saturday? An underfunded and unsponsored team got some much needed and much-deserved attention from it. And while they never converted it into a top spot or a strong finish, those moments make plate racing in NASCAR great again.

Following the antics and confusion at the end of the 2015 fall race at Talladega, along with many scary crashes seen in recent years, some were calling for an end to restrictor plate racing. However, in an age where fans are craving an underdog and competitive racing each week, why would anyone want to eliminate a type that is proven to be the great equalizer on track? Certainly safety needs constant improvement in motorsports, especially when racing at over 200 miles per hour just inches apart. But that cannot be the justification for an end to magical moments that go down in NASCAR history.

What do you think of restrictor plate racing? Does it create memorable moments and level the playing field in NASCAR, or is it too much of a threat to life and the cars they are racing? Leave your opinions below and be sure to tune in for the next race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup on Sunday from Martinsville.