Remember the 2020 NASCAR attendance policy? It had introduced a minimum attendance clause under which sanctioning agreements required tracks to achieve at least 70% occupancy of available grandstand seats during Cup Series races. It was implemented to ensure that the race remains financially viable and to encourage its use in enhancing the event’s appeal to fans. Moreover, the clause specified that the 70% target applied to all seats that were not obstructed by signage or other coverings. Yet, as of today, NASCAR’s struggle to keep its fan base engaged continues…

And speaking on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast, Brad Keselowski was very real about the issue at hand. He said, “You know, the number one problem with the sport right now is the model with the tracks is the number one issue, hands down, in my opinion. The tracks aren’t able to generate enough revenue on their own. They’re wholly reliant on the TV money, and they’re comfortable with that, which is the scariest part of all.” 

NASCAR tracks generate revenue through a combination of race-related income and alternative uses of their facilities. While ticket sales contribute to their earnings, they are not the primary source. Television broadcasting rights play a significant role, with tracks receiving a substantial portion of the revenue. For instance, in 2021, tracks earned $26.75 million from TV revenue alone.

The revenue split typically allocates 65% to the tracks, 25% to the teams, and 10% to NASCAR. Some tracks also explore alternative revenue streams by leasing their facilities for non-racing purposes. This can include renting out space for storage or other commercial activities. For example, during the chip shortage in 2020, Kentucky Speedway leased space to store Ford trucks. However, Brad Keselowski is hinting at a more deep-rooted issue.

He added, “And so that creates a subset of problems that flow down through the ecosystem, where we don’t promote enough to the fans that are at the track to sell tickets. We cascade into other issues where the teams have to, because they’re not necessarily incentivized to, you know, the kind of the costs are mostly covered before the day ever starts. Uh, and that flows down into revenue problems for the teams, which makes the teams wholly reliant on sponsorship.” 

And there is a case in point of this. Ticket sales for this year’s Brickyard 400 dipped slightly compared to last year’s NASCAR event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An IMS spokesperson estimated attendance fell from just over 70,000 in 2024 to just under 70,000 in 2025. IMS and IndyCar president Doug Boles projected the final turnout would be down 5,000 to 6,000 tickets from 2024, landing around 65,000, noting that walk-up members were not expected to be strong due to the intense heat and lingering concerns.

The slight drop follows NASCAR’s monumental return to the oval in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, which coincided with the Brickyard 400’s 30th anniversary, a pair of milestones that had boosted race-day attendance for the first time since 2002. However, all of this intersects.

On the TV side of things, the NASCAR New Hampshire race took one on the chin amidst the most-awaited playoffs. The Mobil 1 301, broadcast on the USA Network, attracted only 1.29 million viewers, marking a 31% decrease from the previous year’s 1.8 million viewers. This drop is part of a concerning trend as it represents the fourth consecutive NASCAR race to fall below the 2 million viewers threshold, a first in the sport’s modern era. Amid all this, Jeff Burton detailed the role of TV in deciding the 2026 NASCAR playoffs.

The ground reality, though, offered some respite. The capacity crowd at ‘The Magic Mile’ featured vans traveling from 44 states and seven countries, reaching as far as Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. NHMS Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath couldn’t stop smiling, saying, “This weekend is a perfect combination of great weather, intense playoff racing, and New England fans who know and love their NASCAR. We don’t take a moment like this for granted, and we are grateful for the amazing show of support from race fans.”

With the viewership numbers taking a big hit, NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace is telling people to have some patience. However, amid playoff concerns, dipped TV viewership, and the longstanding issue with the Next-Gen car, Brad Keselowski has some good news to reveal.

Brad Keselowski drops the hammer on increased horsepower speculation for 2026

NASCAR is gearing up for a seismic shift in 2026, and Brad Keselowski is here to spill the horsepower secrets. The Cup Series is gearing up for a turbo charge makeover with the engine set to roar louder and faster than ever. The Next-Gen cars, which have been humming along at around 670 hp since 2022, are set to get a serious upgrade.

Keselowski revealed on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast that the power output could climb to a thrilling 740 to 750 hp. He explained, “It looks like NASCAR is going to change the rules next year to where we’re like 740, 750 (horsepower). It’s not quite 100, because, you know, right now, technically, they’re at 670, but realistically, they’re like 685, 690, so.”

The excitement isn’t limited to the 41-year-old. Other drivers, including three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano, are pumped for the change. Logano said, “It’s definitely cool. I like it. I want to do it. Like, not just the engine, but the drive train. It’s got to be beefed up more… You want to just make the racing better, right?” Keselowski hinted at tweaks for the engine spacer, which could make the jump from 670 to 750 hp smoother for all teams, promising a 2026 season that could be one for the history books.

What do you think about the potential increase in horsepower? Let us know in the comments!