Stage Racing

Stage racing is a motorsport format where races are divided into multiple segments or "stages," each with specific rules and objectives that create additional strategy and excitement beyond simply finishing first.

In NASCAR and other oval racing series, stage racing typically divides each race into two or three predetermined segments. At the end of each stage, officials throw a caution flag that stops competitive racing temporarily. This gives teams a chance to make pit stops for fresh tires and fuel while also awarding points to the top finishers of that stage.

The top ten drivers in each NASCAR stage earn championship points, with the stage winner receiving ten points and tenth place earning one point. Stage winners also receive playoff points that can be crucial for making the championship playoffs. These stage points count toward a driver's season total, separate from their finishing position in the overall race.

Rally racing uses a completely different approach to stage racing. In rallying, each stage is a timed section on closed roads, usually through forests or mountain passes. Cars start at intervals and race against the clock rather than directly against each other. Drivers rely on their co-driver (navigator) to read pace notes describing upcoming turns and hazards.

Rally stages can range from just a few miles to over twenty miles long. Between these competitive stages, called "special stages," cars drive on regular public roads at normal speeds to reach the next timed section. The driver with the fastest combined time across all stages wins the rally.

Stage racing fundamentally changes race strategy compared to traditional formats. In NASCAR, teams must decide whether to prioritize stage points or save their equipment for the final stage. In rally racing, drivers balance pushing for fast stage times while ensuring their car survives the entire event.

This format keeps fans engaged throughout longer events by creating multiple mini-competitions within each race, rather than having all the action concentrated at the finish.