The NASCAR Classics YouTube Channel has an Image Problem

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What’s Happening?

NASCAR Classics is a hive of NASCAR history. The website, a dedicated library of NASCAR history uploads NASCAR races dating back to 1951 onto the site for fans to view for free. However, there is one glaring issue with their content, a problem that one fan is making up for.

What is NASCAR Classics?

NASCAR Classics is a website and YouTube channel operated by NASCAR. They use NASCAR Classics to offload its catalog of historic races for fans, media, and content creators to view. While channels like FS1 and the NASCAR YouTube Channel have a history of airing and uploading old race broadcasts, when NASCAR introduced the NASCAR Classics website in 2023, all these races were in one place.

NASCAR Classics is neatly organized by year, track, or, for consecutive viewing, the NASCAR 75 Greatest Races list. The website moderators have even painstakingly added notable jump points in the broadcasts, such as wrecks, interviews, and final laps.

While almost every fan loved the idea of NASCAR Classics, the website has critics. Some notable problems fans have had include the lack of Truck and Xfinity Series races and even the lack of certain significant NASCAR Cup Series events, such as the 2008 Daytona 500.

The majority, however, have also pointed out that the image quality of the races they upload, specifically from the modern high-definition era, is sometimes low. While some races, like those from the 1990s, can only be of a certain quality, some iconic moments from the Nextel and Sprint Cup era of NASCAR are noticeably lower quality than the original HD broadcast.

More and more fans are noticing this low-quality content thanks to one fan whose YouTube channel is making waves as a historic “mosh pit” of high-quality NASCAR content from the mid-to late-2000s.

A New Perspective on Great Moments

In late August, a YouTube channel, known by the broader online NASCAR audience as Voti, began posting high-quality recordings of NASCAR content from 2006 to 2009. Since then, Voti’s library on YouTube has exploded to include HD uploads of Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series races.

To sweeten the pot, Voti uploads Practice and Qualifying sessions alongside full episodes of pre- and post-race shows. Prior to uploading these, some members of the NASCAR community considered these pre-race on-track sessions and shows, such as NASCAR Race Day, NASCAR Victory Lane, NASCAR Now, and Trackside Live, to be lost media.

The high quality of Voti’s uploads often results in fans posting clips on X and Instagram of iconic NASCAR moments, sometimes exclaiming that Voti uploads the best footage of those moments they have ever seen. At press time, Voti has uploaded a large number of races and other NASCAR media from 2006 to 2009.

These uploads include races missing from NASCAR Classics, and yes, that does include the 2008 Daytona 500. This channel, and the content it’s given NASCAR fans, is a true passion project for its owner.

In an FAQ post on his YouTube Community tab, Voti states that the races come directly from their recording of the races. “They were recorded at the time of airing. I adopted HD fairly early and tried to record as much as I could.”

So, why are fans so excited about these races? Why are they different from those uploaded on NASCAR Classics?

Side-by-Side Comparison: Voti vs NASCAR Classics

To understand the differences, a side-by-side comparison is best.

For the side-by-side comparison, we have chosen four races from each of the four seasons both Voti and NASCAR Classics have uploaded. Each moment is from a notable or recognizable moment from that season; for each comparison, Voti’s upload is on the left, and NASCAR Classic is on the right.

Each comparison can be expanded by clicking on it for better viewing. It is important to note that all of Voti’s uploads are in a 16:9 aspect ratio, compared to NASCAR’s 4:3 aspect ratio. Below the four side-by-sides is a slider that will show a direct comparison from 2007.

2006 Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch at Homestead

2007 Daytona 500

2008 Dale Earnhardt Jr’s First HMS Win at Michigan

2009 Daytona 500 Green Flag

Left ImageRight Image

What Does This Mean?

While both NASCAR Classics and Voti have worked hard to upload races, the stark difference in quality is interesting. This begs the question, why doesn’t NASCAR Classics have access to the high-quality recordings of these broadcasts?

That’s not to say that what NASCAR Classics supplies to the NASCAR community, its historians, and content creators is not valuable. Thanks to NASCAR Classics, fans have access to some of the best digital versions of classic races from the 1980s and 90s.

However, at times, Voti’s footage is so good that it feels like the race, show, or practice session may be airing live. As fans who grew up on 2006 to 2009 NASCAR reflect on those times, the content on the Voti YouTube Channel will appear to be as clear as their race day memories.

At the end of the day, this is a small problem. For now, the two outlets live in harmony. On their community tab, Voti is quick to re-direct users to NASCAR Classics if they are looking for races pre-2006.

Both NASCAR Classics and Voti provide a much-needed service to race fans. Both are taking the time to preserve the history of the sport and its media. That, in its own right, is what’s important.

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Kauy Ostlien

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