Kenny Wallace has responded vocally to recent changes in NASCAR marketing, expressing strong support for efforts to revive the sport’s image, and defending moves that have upset some longtime fans. Kenny Wallace on NASCAR changes comes as the sanctioning body teams up with new partners and debates adjustments to its playoff format, all aiming to address criticism and boost engagement.
NASCAR’s Advertising Push Sparks Strong Opinions
After an intensive search, NASCAR has selected the agency 72andSunny, with Zach Hilder’s Los Angeles team at the helm, to revitalize its American heritage and broaden its fan base. The agency’s mandate is to create innovative campaigns, appealing to both younger, diverse audiences and established supporters, while tackling ongoing perception concerns within the sport.
During an online episode of “Coffee with Kenny,” Wallace discussed NASCAR’s significant $37 million investment in advertising across both digital and offline channels last year, highlighting the scale of the effort and the mixed reaction among fans and critics alike.
“They spent 37 million advertising their sport. What’s my opinion on all this? I think it’s fantastic. And I already see the haters coming out. They’re mad. They’re mad that NASCAR is righting a wrong,”
Kenny Wallace said (7:30).
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
“I love this. This is fan-f***ing-tastic. It is fantastic,”
he added.
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
Wallace pointed out NASCAR’s growing digital presence, referencing new data claiming average Cup broadcast viewership at 2.7 million per minute. He further cited a six percent rise in ticket sales and an increase in social media followers to a total of 18 million. These figures illustrate the impact of NASCAR’s new communications strategy and its attempt to reignite widespread excitement in the sport.
Ongoing Debate Over the Playoff System
As speculation continues over the upcoming Cup Series playoff changes, Wallace weighed in on what the future could hold. While NASCAR has already published its 2026 Cup schedule, exact playoff details are still under consideration. The possibility of a revamped four-race championship final was first mentioned by The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, while NASCAR’s Mike Forde confirmed that modifications are indeed possible, although the precise format – such as a 3-3-4 split – remains undecided.
On his recent show, Wallace addressed the topic, referencing motorsport legend Mark Martin, who has been a vocal advocate for a return to a full-season points-based system reminiscent of earlier decades. Many fans have echoed Martin’s sentiments online, particularly after Joey Logano claimed the 2025 Cup title under controversial circumstances, following a moderate regular season but benefiting from solid playoff performances.
“Mark Martin’s not going to get a 36-race championship. What he is going to get, he’s probably going to get a three or four-race scenario,”
Kenny Wallace said (09:00).
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
“So I see great things. I think they’re meeting you halfway. And NASCAR’s the best,”
he added.
—Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
Martin’s persistent push for a consistent, season-long championship format has resonated with certain NASCAR followers, but officials seem committed to adapting to new audience expectations and commercial realities.
The Path Forward as NASCAR Embraces Innovation
Joey Logano’s recent Cup season—marked by mid-pack results through much of the regular season and subsequent playoff success for Team Penske at Vegas and Phoenix—has intensified debate about NASCAR’s evolving competition structure and how champions are determined. Figures like Kenny Wallace, Mark Martin, Mike Forde, and Jordan Bianchi are at the center of these discussions, reflecting the sport’s complex push and pull between tradition and transformation.
As NASCAR’s new agency partnership and digital strategy aim to build on rising viewer counts and social engagement, the sport seeks to balance its storied past with changing fan expectations. The coming seasons will reveal whether NASCAR’s leadership can successfully bridge this divide and ensure that both new and long-standing fans remain invested as the sport charts a bold, if rebellious, course forward.
