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Being a NASCAR fan as long as I have, something that is 100% clear to me is the disdain NASCAR fans seem to have towards the governing body. A primary criticism is that NASCAR is consistently inconsistent…in almost everything. If two drivers do the same stupid thing, most likely their punishments will be very different with one getting off easy compared to the other whom had the hammer dropped down on them.
When some drivers dip below the yellow line at Talladega like Dale Earnhardt Jr. did in a race in the early 2000s, they go on to continue what would be a four race straight winning streak at the track while if a relatively unproven driver, like Regan Smith, does they same thing, they get disqualified. If one driver intentionally wrecks a driver (thinking of Matt Kenseth vs. Joey Logano at Martinsville) and lies about the intent, they get fined and suspended from the next race but if one does and tell the truth, they get a $50,000 fine and are deducted 25 points.
The point is that so much in NASCAR officiating comes down to judgement calls, which upset a lot of its fanbase. When you add into older fans despising the use of stage breaks, the playoffs, and almost every fan disliking the unlimited GWC’s policy, it’s not hard to see why NASCAR would get criticized on a regular basis by its own fans.
But have you ever asked yourself, as a NASCAR fan, if the fandoms of other sports leagues and series also despise their sanctioning body? Well, the question was asked by this user over on Reddit. Let’s break down some of the replies.
Perhaps the best (and funniest) reply was this one posted by justBusinessbb. Here he says that NASCAR can act a little…strangely with their disdain for the governing body. He implies that there is a section of the NASCAR fanbase that is very conspiracy minded, which is obviously ridiculous.
Moppyploppy corrects the record, stating that each time Roger Goodell and Gary Bettman grace a stage with their presences, they’re not met with teddy bears and chocolate bars.
BallparkFranks7 claims that, yeah, it’s pretty typical for sports fans to loathe a governing body. A common thread amongst all the sport is the issues with officiating.
SBMVPJustinHerbert says that, yeah, every sport is like that in one way or another. The key difference with NASCAR, though, is its smaller fanbase and overall demographic.
Pretty_Confection_61 says that a possible explanation for this trend is that people really just don’t like authority figures. If WWE’s attitude era taught us anything it was that basic fact.
It’s not uncommon for the FIA (which own and operates F1) to get called out for their Ferrari bias.
Enough-Ad-3111 says that finding a fanbase that doesn’t loathe their governing body is an impossible feat. SpenceSmithback comes back, though, to say that the management of the PGA Tour is generally well liked. The only problem with that is that it implies there’s no dissent with the PGA. But wait, wasn’t something called the LIV Golf Tour recently launched? And didn’t it nab a few of PGA’s best golfers? Hmm…
butdatbackflipp accuses NASCAR of adopting gimmicks comparable to the original 2001 incarnation of the XFL, thus angering its fanbase.
Hmm…there seems to be a trend here. Apparently, the NASCAR fandom is not alone in despising the governing body of their favorite sport. Who knew?
In all seriousness, what are your thoughts, feelings, and reactions? We at the Daily Downforce would love to hear them.
