USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) lead the pack to a restart during the All-Star Open at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) and NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (8) lead the pack to a restart during the All-Star Open at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Without a doubt, the Texas Motor Speedway is not exactly a fan-favorite NASCAR race track. This is largely because when it was first introduced onto the Cup Series calendar, it came at the expense of North Wilkesboro. Later on, there were several issues with the track, in terms of infrastructure. Nowadays, many of the drivers are not big fans of the racetrack.
In fact, Joey Logano said, “Do we need more superspeedways? Is that the type of racing, fans want to see? When you look at the way the people have finished up front in these superspeedways. Lately are the ones that are running around the back. Do you believe that you should be rewarded for not working?”
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He continued, “Cause that’s what they’re doing. They’re riding around at the back, not working, not putting a race on. They’re running around in the back and capitalizing on other people’s misfortune. For racing up front, trying to win. I don’t think its right, that’s not racing.”
How did NASCAR fans react to the whole situation?
Apparently, many drivers are worried that the Texas Motor Speedway could soon turn into another superspeedway. In fact, the fans fear that the intermediate track will have only two options. Either they are converted to Superspeedways, or they become short tracks. So, they called for the drivers to step up and air their concerns. The track’s repaving didn’t help matters either, instead making it worse.
Agreed, we have enough of every style besides for short tracks. Keep Auto Club how it is and give Texas the short track makeover
— WarriorWon1 (@WarriorWon1) September 24, 2022
Superspeedway or short track, that's what all Intermediate tracks are eventually gonna turn into at this rate
— Jonathan Martin (@FrosteeWolf) September 24, 2022
This drivers council and every iteration of it has been a big pile of nothing so I don’t expect anything new
— Dylan Goodin (@dgoodin24) September 24, 2022
The PJ1 has already ruined that track for Indycar. They spin out as soon as they hit it, so it turns into a one groove track. I could be wrong, but I doubt they go back next year.
— Ryan Elliott (@rmelliott48) September 24, 2022
However, people are concerned that such associations have been ineffectual and a ‘big pile of nothing’. Few people even expressed concern about IndyCar also being affected. According to them, the PJ1 resin has ruined things for the open-wheel series and turned it into a one-groove track.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 17, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) takes the checkered flag as he wins the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 in the NASCAR round of 8 opening race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
It's sad that nascar doesn't listen to their drivers. I could see careers not lasting long because there's such a divide right now of what nascar wants and what the driver's and fans want. Nascar is letting TV partners and manufacturers walk all over them
— ElitePrecision29 (@lmm2996) September 24, 2022
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) September 24, 2022
That vague drivers council needs to step up and start flexing their muscle if this becomes a serious proposal.
— CPK Diecast (@cpk_diecast) September 24, 2022
Joey Logano doesn't want to see another track converted into a superspeedway. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/YaKn7mt64P
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 24, 2022
At the end of the day, people were sad that the governing body does not listen to the drivers. They believe that NASCAR is being dictated by TV partners and manufacturers. To this end, the drivers do not want the Texas Motor Speedway seeming like an Atlanta copycat with a superspeedway-style race.
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