What “Roots” Will NASCAR Go Back To?

Steve O’Donnell just went deep on NASCAR’s identity crisis. In his appearance on the Dale Jr. Download, he opened up about the sport’s direction, schedule, horsepower, and the meaning of “going back to our roots.” The talk gave fans hope for the future but also sparked major questions about what NASCAR should actually be in 2026 and beyond.

• Is NASCAR’s “Back to the Roots” movement really about old-school racing, or just nostalgic marketing?
• How far should the horsepower climb go, and will 750 HP really fix the on-track product?
• Can a full-season points format return without killing playoff drama?
• And after years of constant change, can NASCAR finally find balance between modern fans and the old guard that built the sport?

It’s a conversation that touches every layer of NASCAR’s soul, from Rockingham’s comeback to how drivers are marketed in pop culture. The sport once filled MTV, late-night TV, and cereal boxes — and O’Donnell thinks it can again, but it’ll take time and patience to get there. The question now is whether the sport can evolve without losing itself in the process.

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