It is hard to please the NASCAR fandom. NASCAR has often encountered such situations, especially when announcing guest performers to entertain the crowd. Two weeks ago, NASCAR announced that renowned hip-hop artist Machine Gun Kelly will perform in the Busch Light Clash race-break on February 4. Well, for MGK fans, it is a chance to grab tickets to his concert and witness the off-season preparation of Cup Series teams simultaneously. However, this has yet to satisfy everyone.

When eminent journalist Jeff Gluck chanced upon a fan who defended MGK’s arrival at the Cup Series opener, he shared his thoughts along the same line and mentioned the influx of fans through it. But some NASCAR fans have protested against it, citing a diversion from the racing product.

Jeff Gluck believes Machine Gun Kelly’s performance can expand the fanbase

According to Jeff Gluck, Machine Gun Kelly’s performance could positively affect NASCAR in Los Angeles. One fan defended NASCAR’s move on Twitter and wrote, “I love when folks get up in arms about @machinegunkelly being the musical guest… slamming keyboards, slobbering “who is in charge?! we didn’t pick him”.. yet here I am… buying a ticket to fly across the country to an event I never even knew existed..do the math.”

Gluck reaffirmed the opinion after looking at signs of anticipation for the race-break concert from certain sects of the fanbase. Doubling down, Jeff Gluck tweeted, “This just came across the #NASCAR column on my tweetdeck (or whatever it’s called now). Not saying there are hundreds of people like Kelsey, but thought it was interesting considering the whole point of the Clash (and its musical performers) is to get NASCAR in front of new eyes.”

NASCAR has attempted to popularize the sport since time immemorial. In hopes of attracting newer sets of fans to its racing brand, NASCAR has tried to find new race tracks, explored the possibility of racing outside the United States, and introduced new team owners from various fields of life. The inclusion of personalities like Michael Jordan, Floyd Mayweather, and Pit Bull to the trackside has definitely drawn some eyes to the sport.

But what does NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy, Ben Kennedy, think about MGK? “Machine Gun Kelly is the true embodiment of what it means to be a modern-day rock star… We’re thrilled to have as captivating of an artist as MGK bring in the 2024 season during the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum,” he said.

However, one takeaway from the debate is that a majority of the fans have stood against NASCAR’s decision. While some factions have agreed with Gluck’s statement and are open to giving MGK’s concert a chance to bring new fans to NASCAR, the outrage has spread like wildfire.

NASCAR fans are not convinced with MGK’s addition to the LA Coliseum guest list

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Emphasizing how a significant part of the fanbase has vetoed the MGK concert while only a tiny part has favored it, one fan tweeted, “Pissing off the 99% trying to get the 1% is an amazing business plan. it’s really worked out for all those that have gone this route. #GoWokeGoBroke meanwhile high limits is focusing on racing and that seems to really be working idk.”

The NASCAR community is a mixture of differently-aged fans. While a big part includes traditional fans who have seen the sport grow through the years with the primary focus on the racing product instead of the glamor, younger fans have also begun to show interest. Machine Gun Kelly, who is a popular name among the youth, has yet to impress the older demographic from the looks of it.

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“Is it wise to turn off your majority fan base to entice new ones though?” wrote another fan, complaining about how poorly the decision could turn out.

Bashing the fan Jeff Gluck agreed with, one fan claimed that such fans are attracted to the concert more than the race. He commented, “If what brings her to a NASCAR event is the musical guest, then they’re not there for the actual race. They’re there for a concert.” Meanwhile, another fan hinted at the diversion of NASCAR from its culture and wrote, “NASCAR is just trying to do everything it can to get away from its grass roots.”

In 2022, Pitbull performed a pre-race concert ahead of the L.A. Memorial Coliseum race, followed by Ice Cube’s halftime show. In 2023, Cypress Hill performed the pre-race show and Wiz Khalifa did the mid-race concert. Now, Machine Gun Kelly is one of many big names to perform on February 5. Comedian, actor, and producer Gabriel Iglesias will also act as the Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Mexico Series opener while famous DJ Dillon Francis will rock some tunes before the race. Overall, some exciting acts are lined up for the evening, and the Clash could be a great contest.

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