In a recent “12 Questions” interview by Jeff Gluck, a small but telling detail caught the attention of longtime NASCAR fans—a note explaining the “start-and-park” era. For those who lived through it, that explanation might have felt unnecessary. But for newer fans, it’s a reminder of just how much the sport has changed in recent years.
The fact that NASCAR is now so far removed from the start-and-park era that it requires an explanation is one of those “easy-to-forget” positives about the sport’s evolution. While it was once a regular talking point, start-and-park has quietly faded into history, marking a significant improvement in NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
What Was Start-and-Park?
For those who need the refresher, “start-and-park” referred to a strategy where underfunded teams would enter a race, complete only a handful of laps, then retire the car to save money while still collecting prize earnings. It was a survival tactic in an era when sponsorship dollars were scarce, and running a full race was often financially impossible.
While it allowed small teams to stay afloat, it also created frustration among fans and competitors who saw it as a loophole that watered down the field. Some drivers, through no fault of their own, became associated with the term, even when they had the talent to run up front given the right equipment.
How NASCAR Moved Past It
Several changes helped NASCAR transition away from the start-and-park era:
- Charter System (2016-Present): The introduction of NASCAR’s charter system provided guaranteed revenue to teams, making it easier for lower-budget operations to fund full-race efforts.
- Increased Payout Equity: NASCAR adjusted its prize money distribution, reducing the financial incentive for parking early.
- Smaller Fields: The shrinking of race fields from 43 to 40 cars (and sometimes fewer) meant fewer teams had to stretch their budgets to compete.
- Cost Control Efforts: The introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022 significantly reduced costs, allowing teams to stay competitive without drastic budget gaps.
An Easy-to-Forget Improvement
It’s easy to overlook the absence of start-and-park because it wasn’t an overnight change—it faded gradually. But looking back, it’s a testament to how far the sport has come in improving competition and financial sustainability.
There’s still work to do to ensure every team has a fair shot at success, but the days of teams rolling to the garage after 10 laps just to cash a check? They’re a thing of the past. And that’s something worth appreciating.
