Retired NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace added fresh context to the ongoing conversation about NASCAR’s direction, pointing to clear decisions that shaped the sport over the last two decades.
Speaking on a recent episode of his “Coffee with Kenny” video series, Wallace said NASCAR leadership has finally acknowledged the impact of past decisions. He described a sport that no longer avoids mistakes, but openly recognizes them.
Wallace focused on track development, fan access, and pricing decisions, explaining how those areas changed racing and weakened the bond with fans. His comments stayed grounded in what already happened and what NASCAR says it plans to do next as it prepares for 2026 and beyond.
Kenny Wallace says NASCAR leadership acknowledges past mistakes
Wallace said NASCAR has reached a stage where it understands the consequences of earlier decisions, even if that understanding came late. He explained that those outcomes only became clear after the damage was done.
“They realized what happened. It took them a while, and they definitely made some decisions that were not the way to go, Wallace said.” “You don’t know that until you messed up, but it takes a mature businessperson to say, ‘I’ll never do that again.’”
According to Kenny Wallace, NASCAR expanded quickly without fully measuring the long-term effects. Leadership focused on growth, attendance, and scale, which reshaped the schedule and the racing product. Over time, those changes altered how races played out and how fans connected with the sport.
Wallace framed the current moment as one of acceptance. He said NASCAR now listens more than it once did and no longer treats criticism as background noise.
Track expansion and the loss of short tracks
Kenny Wallace identified track expansion as the first major mistake. He said NASCAR leaned heavily into building mile-and-a-half tracks while stepping away from tracks that produced close racing and strong reactions from fans.
“The first thing NASCAR did badly was they built too many big mile-and-a-half racetracks, Kenny Wallace said.” “We had the perfect tracks. We had Atlanta, we had Rockingham, and then all of a sudden they said, ‘We’ve got such a big crowd, we need more seats,’ so they built bigger racetracks.”
That shift came with tradeoffs.
“They got rid of Rockingham. They got rid of Wilksboro, Wallace said.” “They left the tracks that were exciting, where you get into each other, where the fans recognized it, and they were on their feet.”
Wallace explained that intermediate tracks limit how drivers race.
“You can’t get into each other on those big mile-and-a-half racetracks, or else you’re out,” he said. “Let’s admit it. They’re not as exciting as a Rockingham. Those finishes were awesome.”
Ticket pricing, fan access, and plans ahead
Kenny Wallace said NASCAR’s growth period also changed how fans accessed race weekends. He pointed to bundled ticket pricing as a move that frustrated core supporters.
“They got greedy, Kenny said.” “You had to buy one ticket for everything. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and the fans are like, ‘Man, we just want to show up Sunday.”
He said the model boosted revenue but hurt the connection.
“They made a lot of money, but they spent too much money, Wallace said.” “There’s got to be a balance.”
Kenny Wallace said NASCAR now understands the effect of those choices and the response from fans. “They have been humbled mightily, he said, adding, NASCAR has been humbled mightily, and I know for a fact they hear y’all.”
Kenny Wallace said NASCAR plans to rebuild trust by engaging directly with fans. “They are going to go on tour in 2026, and they’re gonna make it right, he said.”
Wallace added that he would take part in that effort if asked. “If NASCAR calls me, I will help them, he said.” “We’ve got to repair NASCAR.”
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