STP 400: Will NASCAR's New Style of Racing Be Evident at Kansas?

The STP 400 will be yet another NASCAR Sprint Cup race on an intermediate track, the 1.5-mile ovals that seem to bring out the long green runs. Perhaps it is time to rethink the style of racing many have deemed boring.

The seventh race of the season at Texas was run at a record pace. There were only two caution periods, for a total of 10 laps.

It may be time to better appreciate the high level of competition and quality equipment each of the 43 teams must bring to every race.

Even the start-and-park teams must have solid equipment that qualifies for the race and can run with the pack, even if it is for an abbreviated time.

The days of single-car teams not aligned with stronger teams, have pretty much fallen by the wayside. Inferior race cars with less-than-talented drivers don't make the field and clutter the races.

We have the COT that has equalized the field for better or worse. Teams have little wiggle room to gain advantage, thus we see long green-flag runs on these intermediate tracks and others.

Instead of waiting for the next crash and the ensuing wild restart, it may be time to appreciate the talent it takes to run at the front of the pack.

Competition is tight among the top-tier teams, so a driver making a pass on a fellow driver in the lead pack is no easy feat.

The level of expertise of drivers from the premier teams needs to be recognized, even if you are not a fan of the ones who dominate the race.

Drivers who can contend for the lead from teams outside of Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, RCR, Stewart-Haas, Penske and MWR deserve recognition for the effort they put forth.

The new era of NASCAR Cup racing is the result of fast, safe race cars and some great tires from Goodyear.

Perhaps a softer tire compound would lead to more pit stops and spins, but is that really the way to go?

The race at Kansas may be very much like the race we saw last week at Texas. It will likely be a battle between the Roush Fenway Racing stablemates and the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers.

There is less banking at Kansas Speedway, so there is a need for more aero grip. Drivers will have to wheel the car a bit more, especially coming out of the fourth turn and into turn one.

The weathered track with its patched grooves will make for one final race that will test the cars, and the handling may sometimes be a handful for the drivers. The track will be repaved following this race.

Will there be a few drivers who will dominate the race? Probably so. Fans need to look at the big picture though. There is a lot of competitive racing with drivers trying to stay in the top 10 and beyond.

Points are still critical with each and every position, and rest assured the participants are giving their all to get the best possible finishing position.

The days of the crash-filled events are winding down. Certainly, we will still see the big wrecks on the high banks. Short tracks and road-course events will still have their share of encounters between drivers, as well.

NASCAR is about competition at high speeds with heavy stock cars. It is still a dangerous sport, despite the lack of multiple crashes and spins. The level of unpredictability remains high.

If you find the STP 400 full of long green-flag runs, take a second look before you hit the remote control to swap stations.

NASCAR provides some of the best racing in the world, but change is inevitable and what we are seeing lately may just be the newest version of the sport.