Criticism of NASCAR

NASCAR logo.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the NASCAR Cup Series, the Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR also administers a number of regional racing series, including the Whelen Modified Tour, and the Whelen All-American Series, as well as international series in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

Similar to other professional motor racing leagues and sanctioning bodies, NASCAR has been a target of criticism on a variety of issues. Some critics note the significant differences between present day NASCAR vehicles and true "stock cars".[1] Another topic of debate has been NASCAR's move to larger markets; in 1997, NASCAR added the California and Texas Motor Speedway, respectively located in the metro areas of Los Angeles and Dallas. This caused NASCAR to move away from traditional tracks such as North Wilkesboro Speedway and Rockingham, which has led to some fans feeling that NASCAR abandoned its core market.[2][3][4]

Others cite the dominance of the France family (and Brian France in particular) in NASCAR's business structure, policies, and decision making. Recently, the increased number of Cup drivers competing consistently in the Xfinity Series races has been frequently debated. NASCAR has been challenged on the types and frequency of caution flags, with some critics suggesting the outcome of races is being manipulated,[5][6][7] and that the intention is not safety, as NASCAR claims, but closer racing.

Since its peak in 2005, NASCAR has seen a gradual decline, with its TV viewership reaching record lows in 2018[8] and race day attendance suffering to record lows as well.[9] Reasons cited for its decline include the aforementioned track changes, the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow which both drivers and fans alike criticized,[10][11][12] the constant tinkering of the rules of its championship and the racing itself,[13] the change in its race day experience,[14] the perceived decline in the quality of its racing,[15] NASCAR changing its image to appeal to a more mainstream audience while alienating its southern fanbase[16] and the retirement of its past stars, such as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, and others.[17][18]

Another general area of criticism, not only of NASCAR, but other motorsports as well, includes questions about fuel consumption,[19] emissions, engine noise levels, and pollution, and the former use of lead additives in the gasoline.

  1. ^ "News & Media". Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  2. ^ D'Eletto, James (1 February 2012). "NASCAR: North Wilkesboro and Other Forgotten Tracks of the Sport". Bleacher Report. WarnerMedia. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  3. ^ Carlton, Chuck (16 April 2006). "Is NASCAR losing traditional fan base?". Deseret News Publishing. Deseret News (via The Dallas Morning News). Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  4. ^ "The Rise and Fall of NASCAR" Video on YouTube
  5. ^ "Skinner joins Stewart in exposing NASCAR manipulation". Autoracingsport.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  6. ^ Yeazell, David. "Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon: Did NASCAR Manipulate Phoenix Results?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Does NASCAR manipulate its races in any way?". Autoracingsport.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  8. ^ "NASCAR 2018 TV Ratings". ESPN. ESPN Inc. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  9. ^ Pockrass, Bob (2 August 2018). "NASCAR teams get creative with sponsors following dip in ratings, attendance". ESPN. ESPN Inc. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Car Of Tomorrow Fuzzy Math And Fuzzier Logic". Sporting News. May 18, 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Postrace comments on 2008 Best Buy 400". Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  12. ^ Turner, Jared (March 20, 2015). "Brian France reveals his biggest failure as NASCAR chairman". Fox Sports. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  13. ^ Caldwell, Dave (2 May 2018). "NASCAR Fans Are Racing Away From The Sport Even Faster". Forbes. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  14. ^ Gluck, Jeff. "Fans explain why they stopped attending NASCAR races". USA Today. Gannett. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  15. ^ Fryer, Jenna. "NASCAR tries to end slide with push for more exciting racing". ABC 13 WLOS. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  16. ^ King, Wells (2022-04-20). "The Decline and Fall of NASCAR". The American Conservative. Retrieved 2022-05-21.
  17. ^ Bruce, Kenny (5 June 2018). "How a retiring star exposed NASCAR's". Autosport. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  18. ^ "NASCAR needs new stars and Kyle Larson may save the sport". USA Today. Gannett. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  19. ^ "NASCAR a waste of resources". Mndaily.com. 2008-06-04. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-08-03.