Overview
- NASCAR confirmed on Saturday that it intends to change the dogleg at Phoenix Raceway ahead of the 2027 season to reduce the jarring drop drivers feel when they cut from the banking onto the apron.
- The decision follows a review of g‑force data collected from drivers' mouthpiece sensors that showed repeated high loads in the low 10s when cars descend from the banked section.
- Drivers are split on the issue with Bubba Wallace and others calling the transition painful and potentially harmful over time while Tyler Reddick and others say proper seat position and setup can reduce the effect.
- The leading engineering fix under consideration is smoothing the banking transition; drivers have also suggested restoring a grass strip or using turf to discourage cutting but NASCAR has not finalized a solution.
- NASCAR will meet with teams, engineers and drivers in the coming months to weigh safety, car damage and the shortcut's role in producing multi‑wide, chaotic restarts before making a final change.