NASCAR moved the 2012 Daytona 500 back by a week next year to not conflict with what could be the new date for Super Bowl XLVI. In advance of what could be an 18-game season, thus pushing back the date of the NFL championship game, NASCAR decided to move next year’s race to February 26. If the NFL season is lengthened by two games the Super Bowl would like be pushed later into February–perhaps as late as two weekends before next year’s season opening race. NASCAR says the move isn’t strictly about a potential new NFL schedule. They are also hoping to lengthen their short offseason but the focus seems primarily on avoiding double booking with the NFL. NASCAR holds week-long qualifying and races prior to the actual Super Bowl of stock car racing. “We’re not going to deny the fact that part of this also is in dealing with the NFL,†NASCAR senior vice president Steve O’Donnell told ESPN.com. “Who knows where they’ll go with an 18-game schedule. But we want to get ahead of that. Either way, we think it’s the right thing to do for our season to kick off. The Super Bowl’s certainly a big event, but so’s the Daytona 500. To give fans an opportunity to go to both of those we think is the right move, it’s a win-win for everybody.†Source: Football News Now
