What do NASCAR drivers REALLY want?
For our regular readers, you might remember that we published an article a few weeks ago titled “What do NASCAR fans really want?” based on the negativity, complaints, and confusing contradictions coming from both casual and longtime fans of the sport. However, it’s clear the fans aren’t the only ones spreading cynicism and mixed messages because some of the drivers are every bit as guilty. Not only do they contradict each other, but a few of them have a habit of contradicting themselves.
While the fans seem happy to complain about almost everything concerning the sport, the drivers seem fixated on debating the 2019 rules package, which includes bigger spoilers, tapered spacers, and aeroducts. The thought process behind the changes was to create cars that handled better and were more competitive on the track as NASCAR strived to address ongoing fan complaints of single-lane racing, predictability, and boring outcomes. But now that fans appear ready to get on board with the 2019 changes (especially with last Sunday’s Digital Ally 400 race at Kansas, which accomplished everything the package had set out to do), it seems drivers are wrestling with their acceptance of it, and several are vocal about their disapproval.
Perhaps some drivers are frustrated that “other” teams seem to be figuring it out, thereby invalidating their complaints. But the question then becomes: if some teams are making it work, are the problems as bad as others are saying they are?
One of the biggest critics of the 2019 rule package is Kyle Busch, who has always been a polarizing figure due to his outspoken nature. To that point, NASCAR recently chose to overlook the potential to fine him for his comments: “This package sucks; no fucking question about it. It’s terrible“. This is in addition to prior comments that have included “it’s taking driver skill away from the driver“. But if, in fact, it’s as terrible as he says and he’s constantly on the radio complaining that it’s impossible to pass, how is it that he’s often rebounding at lightning speed from a penalty that has put him at the back of the field? He also bemoans that his car is “plowing, plowing, plowing,” and it’s “unbearable to drive”, even when he’s racking up Top 10 finishes and 3 wins so far this season. But when he wins, as he did at AutoClub, he forgets all about his prior commentary and delivers soundbites like “Awesome race car!” and “All I do is win, win, win, no matter what.” So clearly, the package does not make passing and winning impossible, and his comments are consistently inconsistent.
Other drivers have also voiced frustration, such as Martin Truex Jr., who once claimed he preferred cars that were not easy to drive but, in post-race interviews, has made comments such as “definitely really difficult to drive“. When securing the pole at Las Vegas, Kevin Harvick expressed his approval of the package but said “It wasn’t for him to judge”. Nine races later and zero wins to show for it, he’s definitely judging as he echoes Busch by saying, “There’s a little frustration on the driver’s side because it has fallen on deaf ears,” — ‘it’ meaning drivers’ concerns and complaints to NASCAR’s sanctioning body.
Seemingly, a faction of drivers feel they’re not being heard. But how can they make their case when they’re contradicting themselves and, meanwhile, other teams are clearly working it out and winning? How do they expect fans to stop complaining when they are setting an example? More importantly, how does the sport cater to the fans and the drivers at the very same time?
It seems whenever fans are happy, drivers are not. And vice versa. The fact is, there hasn’t been a package in recent history that has managed to please 100% of the drivers. Nor has there been a scenario that has completely pleased the fans.
Perhaps the drivers who understand this most are Joey Logano and Chase Elliott. Both have approached the rules package from a much different perspective, with Logano acknowledging that it’s impossible to please everyone, so the rules need to reflect whatever is best for the sport.
Elliott takes a similar stance in saying, “Just make the rules and be done with it. We’re racing. Either you like it or you don’t“. He has also recently said, “We get paid to go fast,” acknowledging that the job of a driver comes with the expectation to drive and adapt, not to complain.
As we said in our sister article concerning what fans want, NASCAR is the only sport that actively listens to its fans and tries to address their complaints. Likewise, they listen to the drivers and attempt to find ways to appease them. At the end of the day, however, there’s a lot to be said for the lyrics of the 1972 song ‘Garden Party’ by Ricky Nelson, when he so eloquently sang, “Ya can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself.”
So maybe the takeaway is that NASCAR needs to parent more effectively by making the rules with the understanding that the drivers can like it or lump it. If something truly is not working, they’ll do their best to make a change. Ultimately, the end goal is to grow the sport. So as long as the grandstands are full, as they have been lately, they’re right on track.
