In a candid and impassioned call for reform, NASCAR superstar Chase Elliott has urged the sport to embrace significant changes that he believes are essential for its future. As one of the most popular and successful drivers in recent years, Elliott’s bold push for a game-changing overhaul is sending shockwaves through the racing world, sparking intense discussion about the direction of NASCAR in the coming decade.
The 28-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver, known for his competitive spirit and methodical approach on the track, is no stranger to speaking his mind. But in recent weeks, Elliott has become increasingly vocal about what he sees as fundamental issues within NASCAR, from its format and schedule to its marketing strategies and competition rules. In his view, these changes are not just about enhancing the sport for fans but ensuring its survival and growth in an era where motorsports face unprecedented challenges from both within and outside the racing world.
“It’s time for real change,” Elliott said in a recent interview. “NASCAR is a great sport with a rich history, but if we want to stay relevant and continue to attract new fans, we can’t keep doing things the way they’ve always been done. The world is changing fast, and so should we.”
Elliott’s Call for an Overhaul: What He Wants to Change
Elliott’s vision for NASCAR’s future centers on several key areas, all of which he believes are critical for modernizing the sport. These include revising the current race format, addressing the grueling length of the season, and finding ways to better engage with younger audiences. He has also highlighted the need for improved driver safety protocols and ensuring that the sport remains competitive and accessible for all teams, not just the biggest names in the business.
1. Race Format and Competition: A Fresh Approach
One of the major changes Elliott has called for is a revamp of NASCAR’s race format. Currently, the typical Cup Series race features three stages, with points awarded at the end of each stage and the overall race winner determined at the finish. While the stage format was introduced in 2017 to make races more exciting and create opportunities for strategy, Elliott believes it may have run its course.
“Stage racing was a good idea, but we need to rethink it,” Elliott said. “It’s created some exciting moments, but there are times when it feels forced. We need a format that reflects the natural flow of competition and rewards skill over gimmicks.”
Elliott has hinted at the possibility of returning to a more traditional race format, where endurance and racecraft are paramount. At the same time, he has also suggested that NASCAR should consider incorporating elements from other racing series, such as Formula 1 and IndyCar, where strategy, fuel management, and tire selection play more prominent roles throughout the race.
“At the end of the day, fans want to see good, hard racing,” Elliott explained. “They want to see the best drivers in the world going head-to-head with the best equipment. We need to focus on what makes NASCAR special and not just try to manufacture excitement with artificial rules.”
2. Shortening the NASCAR Season: Quality Over Quantity
Another significant area where Elliott believes NASCAR needs to adapt is the length of its season. With a gruelling schedule that spans from February’s Daytona 500 to November’s championship race at Phoenix, the NASCAR Cup Series currently features 36 points-paying races, making it one of the longest seasons in professional sports.
Elliott has voiced concerns that the length of the season not only takes a toll on drivers and teams but also risks alienating fans who may struggle to stay engaged over such a long period. “We’re on the road for almost 10 months out of the year, and it’s a grind,” Elliott said. “I love racing, but I think we’d have better quality if we had fewer races. Fans would be more excited for each event, and it would make every race feel more important.”
Reducing the number of races would also allow NASCAR to improve the balance between marquee events and smaller, regional tracks that have historically been the backbone of the sport. Elliott is a strong advocate for maintaining the connection between NASCAR and its grassroots fanbase, particularly in areas like the Southeast, where stock car racing has deep roots.
“We need to make sure we’re going to the right tracks and creating a schedule that gives all fans a chance to see a race without burning out drivers and teams,” Elliott added. “Fewer races could mean better racing and more memorable moments.”
3. Attracting a New Generation of Fans: Digital Engagement and Accessibility
Attracting and engaging younger audiences has been a challenge for NASCAR, as it has for many traditional sports in the age of social media, streaming platforms, and short-form content. Elliott is acutely aware of the need to reach new fans, particularly those who may not have grown up watching NASCAR or who may not have easy access to live races.
One of Elliott’s key proposals is for NASCAR to invest heavily in its digital presence, making races more accessible and interactive through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch. He also believes that NASCAR could do more to showcase the personalities and lives of its drivers off the track, helping fans build stronger connections with the athletes who power the sport.
“Racing is exciting, but we need to meet fans where they are,” Elliott explained. “Young people are on social media, they’re streaming content, and they’re looking for something they can relate to. We have some incredible drivers in this sport with great stories, but we’re not doing enough to get those stories out there.”
He has pointed to Formula 1’s recent explosion in popularity, driven in large part by Netflix’s *Drive to Survive* series, as an example of how a sport can use digital media to grow its fanbase. “People are tuning into F1 not just because of the racing, but because they feel like they know the drivers, the teams, and the stakes. NASCAR needs something similar—a way to pull fans in and keep them hooked.”
4. Driver Safety: A Renewed Focus
Safety has always been a top priority in motorsports, but Elliott believes NASCAR can do even more to protect its drivers. In particular, he has raised concerns about the current safety standards for Next Gen cars, which have been a subject of debate since their introduction in 2022.
“There’s always room to improve safety,” Elliott said. “The Next-Gen car has made strides, but we’ve seen some incidents that are concerning. As drivers, we’re always pushing the limits, and the sport needs to keep up with advancements in technology to make sure we’re as safe as possible out there.”
Elliott has called for an independent review of the safety protocols surrounding the Next Gen cars, including crash testing, cockpit design, and the overall structure of the vehicles. He believes that continued investment in research and development will ensure that NASCAR remains at the forefront of safety in racing, particularly as the sport pushes for greater speeds and more competitive parity.
The Broader Impact: Can NASCAR Evolve With the Times?
Chase Elliott’s bold calls for change reflect a broader conversation happening within NASCAR—a conversation about how the sport can adapt to the changing landscape of entertainment, technology, and fan engagement. NASCAR has already taken some steps in recent years to modernize, such as the introduction of stage racing, the Next Gen car, and new race venues like the Los Angeles Coliseum. However, Elliott’s comments suggest that more substantial reforms may be needed to keep the sport competitive and relevant.
There are already signs that NASCAR is willing to consider Elliott’s proposals. NASCAR President Steve Phelps has acknowledged that the organization is constantly evaluating ways to improve the sport, including how it interacts with fans, drivers, and teams. “We’re always listening to our drivers and fans,” Phelps said in a recent interview. “Chase’s passion for the sport is clear, and we’re open to ideas that can make NASCAR stronger for the future.”
A Bold Future for NASCAR?
As one of the sport’s biggest stars, Chase Elliott’s call for a game-changing overhaul in NASCAR is not something the organization can easily ignore. His suggestions—shorter seasons, revamped race formats, improved safety, and deeper digital engagement—reflect the challenges and opportunities facing NASCAR in a rapidly evolving sports world.
Whether NASCAR adopts all or some of Elliott’s proposed changes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the future of the sport will require adaptability, innovation, and a willingness to break from tradition. As NASCAR navigates this critical period, voices like Chase Elliott’s could very well shape the next chapter of one of America’s most beloved pastimes.
In Elliott’s own words: “NASCAR has always been about pushing the limits. It’s time to push those limits again—for the fans, for the drivers, and for the future of the sport.”