Kenny Wallace defends NASCAR NextGen car controversy as criticism swells within the racing community. The outspoken former driver’s recent remarks have triggered intense public debate, spotlighting rifts among fans and peers over the current generation of NASCAR’s premier vehicle.
Wallace’s Remarks Ignite Division Over NextGen Car
NASCAR stalwart Kenny Wallace has thrust himself into the midst of a storm after stepping up to support the NextGen car while many in the racing realm voice strong doubts. A tense atmosphere has developed online and at the track, with social media erupting into arguments between those siding with Wallace and others who are adamantly opposed to his position.
Wallace used a viral social media video to voice his frustrations, calling out relentless negativity about the car’s race-day performance. In trademark candid fashion, Wallace said,
“I had people just hate me when I talked about the NextGen car running running running good not every race could be a barn burner, but here we go again three weeks in a row,”
—Kenny Wallace, NASCAR veteran.
He followed up with another comment defending the car’s ability to deliver exciting action, adding,
“Kenny, where this NextGen runs side by side. I mean, I’m just not convinced that this car’s got to be destroyed.”
—Kenny Wallace, NASCAR veteran.
Wallace has further attempted to push back claims that he is acting in NASCAR’s interest for personal gain, making his financial independence clear. As he explained during his Coffee with Kenny podcast,
“Is NASCAR paying me? Number one, not a dime. They’re not paying me anything,”
—Kenny Wallace, NASCAR veteran.
Despite his defensive posture, Wallace’s assertions have drawn swift backlash, with critics arguing he is minimizing valid complaints about a car that has left sections of the fanbase and other drivers deeply dissatisfied.
Other Veterans and Fans Push Back
The friction around the NextGen car isn’t limited to spectators. Notably, Ken Schrader, another well-known NASCAR veteran, has taken public aim at Wallace’s defense, offering hard comparisons from the sport’s archived records. According to Schrader, lap times at Atlanta Motor Speedway have deteriorated, citing a striking drop in speed from 27.08 seconds in 1997 to 30.90 seconds in 2025. He maintains,
“No, they slowed the cars down so damn much that you don’t have to let off,”
—Ken Schrader, NASCAR veteran.
Schrader and similarly minded fans suggest that reduced speed and predictability have sapped excitement from the races, advocating a return to higher horsepower and NASCAR’s more technical traditions. Their argument resonates with a community frustrated over changes they believe stifle passing opportunities and make outcomes too consistent.
As debate rages, drivers and enthusiasts alike are caught between allegiance to the sport’s future and nostalgia for how races once felt. The disagreement now epitomizes a larger struggle within NASCAR: balancing innovation with heritage.
What the NextGen Controversy Means for NASCAR’s Future
Kenny Wallace remains steadfast, insisting that pushback always follows change, but progress ultimately benefits the sport. While acknowledging the growing pains, he suggests ongoing refinements will shape the direction of NASCAR for years to come. Meanwhile, the NextGen car continues to serve as the organization’s flagship on race weekends, and dialogue about its merits or faults appears far from settled. With respected figures like Ken Schrader fueling calls for technical reform, the controversy over the latest vehicle generation has become more than just a dispute over lap times—it’s now a test of NASCAR’s willingness to navigate feedback from all corners of its community.
