NASCAR Criticism Grows: Las Vegas has stirred up the racing world lately. With the highly awaited Formula 1 event at the city’s doorstep, concerns about the track’s practicality have emerged, drawing criticism from NASCAR stars like Bubba Wallace and William Byron.
Drivers and fans worldwide are questioning the FIA’s motives amid reports of a rushed inspection. The Las Vegas Grand Prix’s first practice session was slated for today but had to be scrapped due to last-minute changes and an incomplete track inspection.
According to FIA regulations, tracks require a thorough inspection a day before the race. Late access to the street course hampered officials’ ability to conduct the required checks. Moreover, reports surfaced regarding bumps on the track, leading to the suspension of the FP1 session. Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari hit a loose cover, causing stoppage, with Esteban Ocon and Zhou Guanyu among those suffering significant damage.
Bubba Wallace expressed his frustration, criticizing Jordan Bianchi’s reference to the GP’s start as ‘auspicious.’ Wallace tweeted, “Bro auspicious?!?? That word is more out there than some of the sh*t you wear.” Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner lamented the situation, emphasizing the need for safety measures due to issues around manholes.
The scale of this mismanagement at a pivotal event reflects poorly on the FIA.
In contrast, NASCAR’s street road course race in Chicago earlier this year, though weather-affected, was a fan favorite. Debutant Shane van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion, triumphed in what marked a historic day for NASCAR.
William Byron hinted at a comparison between NASCAR’s approach and the recent challenges faced in Las Vegas. While the FIA has experience with street races in several cities, their struggles in Las Vegas are frustrating.
Fans from both racing spheres have weighed in. F1 fans debated Byron’s claims, while NASCAR supporters rallied behind the 25-year-old speedster.
ALSO READ: William Byron Historic Journey: Pursuing Glory in the Shadow of NASCAR Legends
Our Reader’s Queries
Is NASCAR gaining or losing popularity?
This season, the stock car racing circuit drew an average of 2.86 million viewers across NBC, Fox, FS1, and USA. This is a slight decrease from last year’s average of 3.03 million viewers. The viewership was calculated from the Daytona 500 in February through the finale in Phoenix this past weekend.
Does NASCAR make more money than F1?
Formula 1 drivers tend to earn more than their counterparts in other racing series such as NASCAR and IndyCar. This is due to various factors, including the global popularity of Formula 1, which is one of the most widely followed motorsport series worldwide.
Is Formula 1 getting more popular?
According to Liberty Media’s financial reports, the 2022 season saw a significant increase in global attendance, reaching a total of 5.7 million attendees – a 36 percent rise compared to 2019. The Austin Grand Prix also broke records in both 2021 and 2022, with 400,000 and 440,000 attendees respectively.
Why did NASCAR disqualify?
Any unauthorized item discovered on a car during post-race tech results in an immediate disqualification. This was the case for Denny Hamlin in 2022, when tape was found on the front bumper of his Camry, leading to his disqualification. Similarly, Kyle Busch was also disqualified for the same offense, ultimately resulting in Chase Elliott’s victory.
