This year’s Daytona 500 opened not just with the sound of roaring V8s but also with a jolt of electricity, literally. For the first time in NASCAR history, the pace car wasn’t powered by gasoline. Chevrolet took the lead with the all-electric Blazer EV SS. The car, packing over 600 horsepower, led the field to green, marking a bold step toward NASCAR’s sustainable future. Actor Alan Ritchson drove the EV pace car, but Chevrolet and its engineers stole the real spotlight.

While Daytona International Speedway fans had mixed feelings, Chevrolet’s Vice President Scott Bell was excited. He said, “Chevrolet has a long history with racing – it’s in our DNA – and the Blazer EV SS is a testament to that. We’re excited for customers to watch the Blazer EV SS – the quickest SS we’ve ever produced – pace such an iconic race this weekend.” The message was clear: NASCAR won’t forget its roots, but it also won’t ignore the future. That made the electric pace car more than a parade piece. It became a symbol of transformation.

And just as fans were still recovering from that shockwave, another spark hit the garage, this time from the Ford camp. Just days before the 2025 All-Star Race, a NASCAR fan posted something unusual. During a visit to the Team Penske race shop, they claimed to see an EV prototype nestled between Joey Logano and Austin Cindric’s Cup cars. That single post sent shockwaves through the community. Team Penske, a Ford powerhouse, was now caught in the center of NASCAR’s EV scare.

It all started on Thursday. A fan made a post on Reddit that sent NASCAR circles into a frenzy. “Visited the Team Penske race shop today. Not only was it surprising to see the EV prototype there, but also interesting to see it on the setup plates between Logano and Cindric’s cars for this weekend. It also looked like there was work being done to it. I wonder if there will be a demo at one of the upcoming races?” the post read. The photo and comment went viral. Within hours, forums lit up. Penske, a Ford loyalist and combustion engine titan, had an EV in his garage. For many fans, this was the last straw.

One fan summed up the feeling clearly: “If this ever comes to NASCAR and replaces the Cup cars, I’m never watching again. Call me a whiner in the replies, but I don’t care. They could go hybrid like every other series right now, no need to get rid of an iconic V8 with this thing. I watch plenty of other series anyways.” This wasn’t just emotional; it was backed by facts. NASCAR’s current audience leans conservative and traditional. In 2024, a Deloitte survey found that over 67% of the US population preferred gasoline-driven cars and less than 10% expressed interest in full EV cars.

But this fan panic clashes with the views of Roger Penske himself. The 86-year-old mogul hasn’t exactly slammed the door on electric technology. In fact, he’s been one of the sport’s leading voices in exploring alternatives. In 2023, Penske had said, “Electrification certainly has slowed… Today, the consumer really is not ready for electrification. The infrastructure, the cost, the range — all of these things seem to be stumbling blocks.” He added, “I think the hybrid formula seems to be something that will make a lot of sense as we go forward.”

Notably, Penske, who built a business empire out of fuel-based fleets, has long argued for renewable fuels over full electrification. But he also sees value in exploring hybrids. He owns IndyCar, which is launching hybrid V6 engines this season. He even transitioned IndyCar haulers to renewable diesel last year. His approach has always been evolving, but he does it smartly. That strategy lines up with how NASCAR has moved lately.

In 2023, it showed off its first all-electric prototype, built with Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford, at the Chicago Street Race. The car featured over 1,300 horsepower, regenerative braking, and a flax-based CUV body. It wasn’t a race entry, but it sent a message. NASCAR was ready to test the waters. By the time Chevrolet unveiled the Blazer EV.R and used the Blazer EV SS as Daytona’s pace car, it became clear the sport was pushing its EV future.

NASCAR even partnered with ABB to lead sustainability goals, including a net-zero carbon target by 2035. Last year, NASCAR’s senior vice president and chief racing development officer, John Probst, had said, “There’s a long, long road ahead for the combustion engine, be it powered from sustainable fuel or hydrogen for that matter…  And we’ll be in the driver’s seat wherever our future takes us. If you look out across the landscape, one thing that’s for certain is that change is accelerating all around us.” Still, that hasn’t soothed fan nerves.

Drivers themselves remain divided. Former champ Kevin Harvick warns the sport is losing its soul. On his podcast, Harvick said, “There’s really nothing about a race car that doesn’t make noise that has any excitement for me.” Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin took a more diplomatic tone, stating, “OEMs have got to continue to have a voice… they are the ones who keep this thing afloat.” The path forward is murky. Penske’s shop having an EV isn’t confirmation of a shift; it’s a clue. A glimpse of what might be coming. For now, it’s just one car in one garage.

NASCAR faces the heat of EVs in Roger Penske’s garage

Fans flooded the internet with opinions after someone spotted the EV prototype at Team Penske’s shop. One fan joked, “Penske trying to take NASCAR up on its ‘run what you brung’ offer /s.” The comment referenced NASCAR’s recent attempt to revive the All-Star race with a ‘run what you brung’ format. Many fans believe this sighting might be connected to the proposal, even though teams rejected it. However, sarcasm aside, the post reflected a real fear among long-time fans that EVs might replace their beloved V8s.

For others, the appearance of the prototype wasn’t a surprise but an inevitable development. “Nothing more than an OEM using their Tier 1 team to do some work on a prototype,” another user said. That response tried to calm the panic, pointing out that manufacturers often tinker with concept builds behind the scenes. It’s a common practice in motorsports. Chevy already showcased its EV pace car at Daytona and now appears to be preparing it for upcoming races to challenge Ford’s capabilities.

Meanwhile, some fans liked the idea, at least on the surface. “I like the look of it. It would be cool to see a shoot-off series in NASCAR like Formula E with those cars,” one said. That fan wasn’t ready for Cup Series EVs but supported a side series that could explore future tech. But not everyone shared that enthusiasm. “I am more disgusted at the fact that it is an SUV,” another commented. For fans raised on sleek stock car designs, the crossover-style EV body was offensive to tradition.