Bristol Motor Speedway has long been NASCAR’s ultimate battleground—a compact, high-banked track that delivers intense racing, big crashes, and heated rivalries. It’s a place where legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and current stars like Denny Hamlin have made their mark. But the most recent race at Bristol felt less like a high-octane spectacle and more like a somber reflection of what’s slipping away.
Denny Hamlin didn’t mince words on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, pointing to the growing parity in the field as a major culprit behind the lack of drama on the track. With cars becoming harder to pass and less prone to contact, the spark that once defined short-track racing seems to be fading.
Fans took notice—and not in a good way. Social media lit up with complaints about the lackluster racing, with hashtags like #FixNASCAR gaining traction. The sport’s leadership has heard the discontent. Elton Sawyer, one of NASCAR’s top competition officials, responded on SiriusXM, saying the organization is always working to improve the racing product. While he touted the quality of races on bigger tracks, the silence around short-track concerns spoke volumes.
Dale Jr., speaking on his own podcast, offered a more strategic perspective. He warned that no matter how loud the outcry from drivers, fans, or team owners might be, real change only comes when the business side takes a hit. Empty seats and declining ratings send a stronger message than any tweet or soundbite ever could.
The issue, according to many, lies in the current short-track package: tires that don’t degrade enough, aerodynamic setups that hinder close racing, and a general loss of the gritty, chaotic energy that made tracks like Bristol and Martinsville special. The fear is that NASCAR might choose to pivot away from short tracks altogether rather than invest in fixing them. Fans are begging for a return to form, calling for changes like more tire wear or aero adjustments to make the racing tighter.
Dale Jr. summed it up by urging NASCAR not to abandon these historic venues. What once were must-see events now risk being written off. He reminded everyone how exciting Bristol and Martinsville used to be—every race guaranteed some kind of action. He hopes NASCAR fixes the problem instead of turning its back on what was once the sport’s crown jewel.
Marcus Smith, the promoter behind Bristol, has drawn mixed reviews—some applaud his efforts to modernize, while others argue he’s prioritizing profits over race quality. Yet even Smith can’t ignore the empty seats. NASCAR owns many of these tracks, so they too are feeling the financial sting. As Dale Jr. emphasized, money talks louder than complaints, and that may be what finally pushes NASCAR to act.
The heart and soul of NASCAR’s short-track legacy is in jeopardy, and unless changes are made, the roar of Bristol could be silenced.
CARS Tour Takes a Big Step with FOX Partnership
Meanwhile, the CARS Tour—a Late Model series co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Justin Marks—is making headlines of its own. After the group took over in 2023, the series has grown in popularity, and now, it’s headed to national TV.
The upcoming race at North Wilkesboro on May 16 will be broadcast on FS1, with Dale Jr., Harvick, and Eric Brennan behind the mic. Jr. emphasized that this deal helps the series reach new fans while maintaining its presence on FloRacing. He called it a win-win situation for exposure.
Still, not everyone is celebrating. FOX has faced criticism lately for missing key moments during NASCAR and IndyCar races, which has made some fans anxious about how the CARS Tour broadcast will be handled.
Despite the concerns, the future looks bright. Jr. mentioned that teams are getting more interest from sponsors thanks to the TV deal. FloRacing is also playing a major role, injecting $200,000 into the Throwback 225 at Hickory, including a $50,000 payout to the winner. Rising star Connor Hall and rival Ryan Millington are both fired up—Millington’s even building a new car to chase the prize.
In short, while NASCAR wrestles with fixing its core, the CARS Tour is gaining ground—with Earnhardt Jr. once again leading the charge.
