NASCAR evaluated the number of caution flags that normally occur during a 600-mile race at Lowe's, and they felt like the number of scheduled pit stops that the small cell brings into play will basically be a wash. Granted, there may be some times that drivers go the distance on a fuel run, but it isn't very often that drivers run 120 laps without a caution in a 600-mile race. NASCAR did its homework, and you won't see much of a difference.

Now the racing gods have a way of spoiling the best-laid plans and running three or four green-flag stops in a row. We will have to wait and see, but NASCAR is erring on the side of safety. Smaller fuel cells on the road courses is a great idea. It add strategy and make those races a lot more interesting, not only for the competitors, but for the fans too.