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Even Bill Maher Has An Opinion On Why NASCAR Ratings Are Down

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 05: Bill Maher Performs During New York Comedy Festival at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

Cody Williams

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As ratings continue to fall off in NASCAR, Bill Maher has his own theories as to why sports are still as popular as they are: it's the lack of nepotism...but does the argument really extend to NASCAR?

What’s Happening?

Controversial Comedian Bill Maher even has an opinion on why NASCAR ratings are down when compared to other sports. It all has to do with the nepotism.

In this rant below, Maher goes off on “nepo babies” and “legacy admissions” to colleges while also praising the world of sports for its lack of nepotism. It’s an issue very common in the entertainment industry. The sons and daughters of famous actors or actresses are often handed roles based on who their parents are or were and the problem has even found its way to the public (and private) education system(s), even though both should be strictly merit based.

The one area where ratings seem to be consistently better than any other form of entertainment seems to be sports. Could that be because of the lack of nepotism? Perhaps. But one sport that is not and probably never will be the exception when it comes to nepotism is NASCAR.

You Need To Know:

  • NASCAR has long taken pride in the fact that it is a family sport. Many drivers are multigenerational drivers. NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver from 2003 through his retirement in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was a third-generation driver. Current reigning NASCAR MPD for the last 5 years and running, Chase Elliott, is a second-generation driver. Elliott practically inherited his massive fan base from his father, Bill, who holds a record 16 MPD awards. Add into the mix the Pettys, the Allions, the Labontes, the Burtons and, now, the Gibbs’ and its not hard to come to the conclusion that nepotism has played a key role in the sport for many years.
  • Nepotism is an issue that plagues the world, especially in Maher’s world of Hollywood. And while it typically isn’t a factor in other sports, it certainly seems to affect NASCAR in significant ways. Not to take anything from Kyle Petty’s 8 career wins but do you really think he would have gotten the same opportunities if his last name wasn’t “Petty”? At least he tried to make it on his own before returning to his father’s team following the death of his son, Adam, in 2000. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was employed by his father starting in 1998 following a rather mediocre late model career. Now, he turned out to be a pretty good and hall-of-fame worthy driver (yes, he is a HOF-level driver and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise) but his start was all because of his father. Michael Waltrip can credit his success to his brother in a lot of ways. Heck, most recently, two-time Cup Series Champion, Kyle Busch, got booted from JGR, a previously struggling team where he raced for 15-years in favor of the boss’s grandson. If that doesn’t scream nepotism, I don’t know what does!
  • Fans seem to be very aware of this issue, some even noting that it isn’t going to stop anytime soon with now many drivers are having kids who are following in daddy’s footsteps.

In The Stands

puffadda admits that nepotism is a huge part of NASCAR but disagrees that it has anything to do with ratings. I mean, if anything, Chase Elliott being out is actually hurting the ratings in the same way the ratings fell off in 2016 after Dale Earnhardt Jr. got hurt.

poolboy__q questions if this even applies to NASCAR as a vast majority of drivers are nepo babies.

trs10407 argues that even two of the most popular drivers of all time and two of the three record 7-times champions of the sport were also second-generation drivers.

While nepotism may (or may not) be a problem, SpenceSmithback argues that it won’t be stopping anytime soon. I mean, just look at some of these drivers last names from the Millbridge kart track…

ClayGCollins9 argues that the nepotism is actually keeping the sport afloat, not hindering it.

91TwilightGT claims that, like golf, motorsports is a rich person’s sport. It tales a lot of money to race and if a last name is going to attract sponsors, that’s just the way it is.

butdatbackflipp thinks that the nepotism has nothing to do with the ratings falloff as F1 deals with very similar issues and is more popular than it has ever been.

Immediate_Lie7810 says that nepotism is present in all sports.

Since nepotism is and always will be a thing in the world at large, why would it also not trickle down to sports and even NASCAR?

Cute-Effect-3479 points out that Corey Lajoie is a nepo baby and she still digs him.

bjohnson203 says that the biggest problem with nepotism in the sport of NASCAR isn’t actually out on the track but in the broadcast booth.

What do you all think? Is nepotism a problem in NASCAR or is the argument really grasping at straws here? Let us know!

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Cleetus McFarland Explains The One Catch to His NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Garrett Mitchell, better known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, says his 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule isn’t set in stone, something the YouTube star explained to Dale Earnhardt Jr on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download.

One of the biggest surprises in recent NASCAR news is that YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut next month at Rockingham Speedway.

Mitchell, who has just won a NASCAR National Series start to his name, will make this start with Richard Childress Racing in their No. 33 car as part of a part-time development contract that will see him make starts in 2026 and 2027.

Per Mitchell, his contract will cover three races per season, though he hinted it could be more in a Facebook post. Nonetheless, fans are eagerly awaiting an official schedule of what other tracks Mitchell and RCR will tackle in 2026.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a little longer for this schedule, as the 30-year-old Floridian explained during a recent interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr, his 2026 schedule is still up in the air a month ahead of his first race.

During an interview on the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Mitchell told Earnhardt that while he plans to race the superspeedways after Rockingham, with his sights set on Talladega’s April 25 or October 24 race weekend, the decision lies in the hands of NASCAR.

“NASCAR said I cannot run Talladega unless I go to Rockingham first and do well,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell then clarified that while he will have a rookie test for Rockingham, the race at Rockingham will determine his eligibility to race at Talladega.

Stirring the Pot

Mitchell, who has two ARCA starts at Daytona and one at Talladega, has already taken a rookie test this season at Rockingham for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Despite a minor crash during this test, Mitchell was cleared to race in the season-opening race at Daytona, crashing himself in a single truck spin five laps into the race, after a valiant qualifying effort.

Even with the barrier of Rockingham in the way, fans are already somewhat concerned about McFarland’s skills, given the result of his short time behind the wheel of a truck.

During this episode of The DJD, Mitchell expressed his intentions to work his way up the ladder and learn, but with the caveat that if an opportunity presents itself to him, he will take it, using the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series as a metaphorical example.

“I don’t want to drive a Cup car right now. But, brother, if someone calls me and says, ‘We got a spot in a Cup car in the Daytona 500?’ I mean, what am I supposed to do?” — Cleetus McFarland

Despite his doubters, with the support of RCR and their developmental tools, Mitchell seems confident about the opportunity, already getting in some sim time with RCR.

Either way, no matter how much support he has in his corner, Mitchell is diving in headfirst once again with this opportunity.

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Cleetus McFarland’s First NASCAR Diecast is Officially Available for Pre-Order

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Lionel has officially opened pre-orders for Garrett Mitchell’s (better known as Cleetus McFarland) first-ever NASCAR diecast.

  • This announcement comes as part of his upcoming debut in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next month. While the sponsor, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, and car number, No. 33, are known, there has yet to be an official render of his paint scheme released to the public.
  • Lionel Racing is offering two diecast options for Mitchell: the first option is the 1:64 scale diecast at $11.75, and the second is a 1:24 scale diecast at $70.00. As of press time, it appears the car will not receive any other options, such as Special Finishes like Color Chrome or Galaxy Colored.
  • Mitchell announced his first NASCAR OAP Series race on Wednesday afternoon, signing a two-year, three-race-per-year deal with RCR. This is a major step for the YouTube star turned NASCAR driver, who made his ARCA debut last season.
  • Due to his popularity both in and out of NASCAR, Mitchell’s diecast may be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Many race fans are already giving bold predictions for the large order quantity this car will receive by the time it reaches production.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 11: Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, driver of the #30 Kenetik Ford waits on the grid prior to the ARCA Menards Series Bush's Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Cleetus McFarland Will Race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series This Year

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to race with Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the next two seasons.

UPDATE 3:00 PM EST: Per RCR Mitchell will make his debut at Rockingham Speedway on April 4.

  • Mitchell announced his signing with RCR in a Wednesday afternoon post on his Facebook. The 30-year-old says that RCR reached out, offering to make him “a better driver and give you an opportunity to grow in this sport.”
  • The Floridaian will drive the team’s part-time No. 33 on a part-time basis over the next two seasons. Mitchell claims in his post that the deal is three races a year, but hints it could be more, saying “3 races a year right now.”
  • Mitchell, who made his NASCAR debut last season with a four-race schedule in the ARCA Menards Series, has brought a legion of fans to NASCAR in his few starts. So far, Mitchell has made five career starts in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
  • That start in the Truck Series, at Daytona earlier this season, was a spark of controversy, as, after crashing in his test for approval, Mitchell crashed himself early on in the race. While he has his supporters, including many in the garage area, this move up the NASCAR ladder will likely see some pushback from fans across the board.
  • As of press time, Mitchell has yet to announce his first race of this part-time schedule with RCR.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.