Martinsville Speedway was set to deliver another intense, playoff-defining race in the fall of 2024. What fans got instead was one of the biggest controversies in modern NASCAR history. Late-race tactics involving Chevrolet and Toyota teams stirred suspicions of manipulation. As William Byron fought for a spot in the Championship 4, cars behind him, including Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain, did not attempt to pass, forming what fans called a “Chevy blockade.”

Audio revealed clear coordination, with crew communications referring to Byron’s positioning. Toyota’s Bubba Wallace appeared to fake a tire issue to help Christopher Bell, who then made an illegal move and received a penalty. The fallout shook the sport. NASCAR fined the No. 1, 3, and 23 teams $100,000 each and docked 50 driver and owner points. NASCAR also suspended key personnel—including crew chiefs and spotters—for the season finale. “We want to get our point across. It’s our responsibility to uphold the integrity of the sport,” NASCAR executive Elton Sawyer said.

The fallout altered championship outcomes and sparked debate on NASCAR’s playoff format itself. With stakes that high, fans expected this drama to dominate Season 2 of Netflix’s NASCAR: Full Speed. The controversy, the penalties, the emotional reactions, it had all the ingredients for compelling storytelling. But when the new season dropped on May 7, 2025, something was missing. Fans were stunned. And soon that disappointment turned into backlash.

The second season of Full Speed promised to give fans a deep look into the 2024 NASCAR season. The series featured emotional moments, like Chase Briscoe nearly missing the birth of his twins and Ryan Blaney reflecting on life and racing with his fiancée. It touched on the end of Stewart-Haas Racing and offered personal glimpses into the lives of drivers. But despite all this, fans felt let down.

One fan summed it up on social media: “They completely ignored the Chevy and Toyota manipulation at Martinsville, but I guess that was to be expected. But they showed Bell saying he felt cheated in the press, so without the context, it makes no sense.” That wasn’t just a gripe, it was a valid point. Martinsville shaped the final four.

The dramatic moment lost its fuel. Netflix’s proven success with Drive to Survive makes the light touch even more confusing. That series thrives on drama. In F1, Netflix has tackled major controversies, from internal Red Bull conflicts to public feuds with Zak Brown. They aired uncomfortable moments, like Christian Horner’s off-track allegations and the fallout from leaked messages. In Drive to Survive, even whispers become episodes.

In contrast, Full Speed seems to go quiet when things get loud. While Drive to Survive leans into tension, Full Speed feels sanitized. That’s a problem when NASCAR’s drama is real, not manufactured. This season had controversy baked in. The thing is, Jackie Decker and Tim Mullen have worked on docuseries before. They directed Countdown: Paul vs Tyson, but with Full Speed, missing such a controversy was surprising for fans.

Speaking about their formula, Mullen said, “We’ve been on both sides of the industry—production and post-production—which allows us to deeply understand the unique needs of our clients. At Decker & Mullen, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service while fostering a collaborative, down-to-earth environment where creativity can thrive.” 

That’s not to say the show had no substance. It followed Chase Briscoe’s rollercoaster playoff, from his clutch Darlington win to elimination in Charlotte. And how he landed at Joe Gibbs Racing after the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing.

It also captured Daniel Suarez’s emotional struggles and off-track pressures. And it offered touching family moments, like Ryan Blaney talking about racing and relationships. But it still tiptoed around the messier, meatier stories. Blaney himself praised the series, saying it humanized drivers and helped fans relate. And that’s true, Full Speed shows the grind behind the glory. But for many, the Martinsville controversy was the core story of 2024. Leaving it out wasn’t just an oversight. It felt like avoidance.

Fans rip into Netflix’s missed moments of NASCAR!

Viewers of Full Speed Season 2 are furious. Many critics say the docuseries sanitizes the content, softens the drama, and plays it too safe for a sport built on risk and raw emotion. The outcry has been loud and deeply informed. One fan wrote, “Full Speed undersells drama a lot… The Chevy blockade being skipped made zero sense.” That’s a recurring theme. NASCAR doesn’t need exaggerated storylines; its format produces chaos naturally. So why does Netflix tone it down?

Skipping over one of the most blatant instances of team orders in recent memory only fuels frustration. “This show is basically propaganda to draw in new fans, not entertain current ones,” said another. That statement may sound harsh, but it reflects a growing view. The documentary focuses on heartwarming moments and downplays controversies. For longtime fans who lived through the season, it feels like a polished highlight reel rather than a documentary.

Fans also questioned the release date. “It would have been much better if it came out before the season started… Who thought mid-season was a good idea?” The first season’s January release built hype before Daytona. This time, the season was already well underway. The impact? Casual viewers feel confused, while hardcore fans think the drama has already grown stale. “I’ve always said DTS exaggerates F1… NASCAR’s drama is built in.” They tone it down for Full Speed, which is a shame,” one fan noted.

That’s the heart of the issue. NASCAR offers plenty of raw moments, championship heartbreaks, team closures, and rulebook chaos. But if Netflix isn’t willing to show it all, what’s the point? In the end, Full Speed still gives fans access to the emotional grind behind the wheel. But if it wants to be more than just a soft PR piece, it needs to embrace the ugly stuff too. Otherwise, it just polishes the product for newbies and fails to reflect NASCAR’s real grit.