Bristol Motor Speedway has long been NASCAR’s chaotic battleground—half a mile of intensity where tempers flare and legends are made. But this past Sunday, the energy was missing. Instead of thunderous excitement, the race felt somber, with empty seats and little on-track action. Denny Hamlin voiced his frustration on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, blaming parity for dull races. “It’s so hard to pass now, and even harder to get close enough to crash. Some fans want that drama,” he said.
Fans echoed Hamlin’s concerns on social media, where #FixNASCAR began trending. Many believe short-track racing, once the soul of NASCAR, is in serious trouble. NASCAR’s VP of Competition Elton Sawyer acknowledged the issue, insisting the series constantly evaluates how to improve, while pointing to better racing on other track types.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaking on his podcast, shared a deeper concern. While fans and drivers can complain, real change happens only when the business side suffers. “When NASCAR sees its business model struggling, that’s when they act,” he said. Bristol’s low attendance and ratings are clear warning signs.
There’s growing fear that instead of improving short-track racing—through changes like softer tires or aero tweaks—NASCAR might shift focus to larger ovals or street circuits. Dale Jr. and fans alike are urging the sport not to abandon tracks like Bristol, calling it a cornerstone that deserves saving.
Meanwhile, there’s positive momentum elsewhere. The CARS Tour, co-owned by Dale Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks, just landed a major deal with FOX Sports. The upcoming May 16th race at North Wilkesboro will air on FS1, with Dale Jr. and Harvick in the booth. Although fans worry about FOX’s spotty coverage of NASCAR events, the exposure could massively boost the series.
Dale Jr. is optimistic, noting a surge of sponsor interest and growth fueled by streaming partner FloRacing. Their $200,000 investment into the Throwback 225 at Hickory—including a $50,000 winner’s prize—has racers excited. Doug Barnes Jr. even joked that it pays more than Martinsville. With this momentum, Dale Jr.’s dream of making big purses normal might be coming true. Now the question is: can FOX rise to the occasion?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals Wild Partner That Could Force NASCAR to Rethink It’s Politics That Affect fans
