Brad Keselowski has outlined three crucial changes he believes NASCAR must make to compete with its rising rivals, as the Brad Keselowski NASCAR changes gain attention in the motorsports world. As global interest in Formula 1 increases, particularly in the United States, Keselowski’s suggestions arrive at a pivotal moment for NASCAR’s future.
NASCAR’s Position Shifts Amid Stiff Competition
The emergence of the Netflix series F1: Drive to Survive has expanded Formula 1’s appeal, moving the sport beyond its European base and introducing it to more American fans. Formula 1 now hosts multiple races in the U.S. annually, with additional events being considered. Once, NASCAR enjoyed a large lead in viewership, but that gap has narrowed as Formula 1’s audience has grown.
With this surge in global popularity for Formula 1, NASCAR faces challenges it hasn’t encountered since its heyday in the 1990s and early 2000s. The sport has undertaken various efforts to revive its fanbase, such as implementing a playoff system intended to rebuild excitement, but these measures have not fully achieved their desired results and have drawn controversy among fans and insiders alike.
Keselowski’s Roadmap: Three Essential Changes
Brad Keselowski, a veteran driver and co-owner at RFK Racing, has offered a direct assessment of NASCAR’s situation. In a conversation with The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck, Keselowski explained that the first priority should be to make race tracks more financially self-sufficient by expanding revenue streams outside traditional NASCAR events. He emphasized,
tracks, in general, need to find more ways to generate more revenue outside of NASCAR.
—Brad Keselowski, co-owner.
Keselowski remarked that on days when there are no races scheduled, only a handful of people are present at the tracks, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges for these facilities. He believes that over-reliance on media rights for funding has created a cycle of diminishing returns, putting the broader NASCAR ecosystem at risk.
Providing context for his concerns, journalist Adam Stern shared recent figures for U.S. motorsports viewership, noting:
U.S. motorsports viewership last weekend:
1) NASCAR Cup (USA Network): 1.880 million viewers
2) Formula 1 (ESPN): 1.2 million
3) IndyCar (Fox): 1.142 million
4) NHRA (Fox): 1.036 million
5) NASCAR Xfinity (The CW): 733,000
6) NASCAR Trucks (FS1): 262,000
7) ARCA (FS1): 43,000 pic.twitter.com/K2t8EI0zDV
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 6, 2025
—Adam Stern, journalist.
Scrapping the Playoffs: A Controversial But Vital Move
Keselowski did not mince words when discussing what he considers the second major obstacle to NASCAR’s resurgence: the playoff format. He expressed his belief that this system undermines the sport, stating,
The whole playoff thing has to go away.
—Brad Keselowski, co-owner.
He further criticized the playoff approach for diminishing the value of many races, as drivers and teams who miss the playoffs are sidelined in terms of exposure and significance. Keselowski declared,
It muddies the water; it’s not working for the sport.
—Brad Keselowski, co-owner.
Embracing New Manufacturers to Drive the Sport Forward
The third recommendation from Keselowski is to attract more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to NASCAR. While RAM is set to return to the Truck Series, Keselowski insists that greater participation from a variety of manufacturers is necessary. He views OEMs as pivotal investors who can provide much-needed capital for teams and help grow the sport through additional advertising and marketing efforts. Quoting his view,
are the high tide that raises all ships. They’ll invest in the teams while concurrently investing in the tracks through advertising.
—Brad Keselowski, co-owner.
In Keselowski’s analysis, addressing the OEM shortfall will directly boost the sport’s finances and overall status among American motorsports fans.
What Keselowski’s Plans Could Mean for NASCAR’s Future
Keselowski’s three-point plan draws attention to both financial and structural vulnerabilities within NASCAR, echoing concerns shared by drivers, track operators, and business partners. By focusing on revenue sustainability for tracks, overhauling the competitive format, and increasing manufacturer participation, NASCAR could reclaim some of the prestige it once held.
As Formula 1 continues to encroach on American viewership, figures like Brad Keselowski, Adam Stern, and others contribute vital perspectives that may guide the sport through a period of change. The impact of the Brad Keselowski NASCAR changes could prove decisive as NASCAR and its supporters look to ensure long-term success and renewed excitement for fans across the country.
U.S. motorsports viewership last weekend:
1) NASCAR Cup (USA Network): 1.880 million viewers
2) Formula 1 (ESPN): 1.2 million
3) IndyCar (Fox): 1.142 million
4) NHRA (Fox): 1.036 million
5) NASCAR Xfinity (The CW): 733,000
6) NASCAR Trucks (FS1): 262,000
7) ARCA (FS1): 43,000 pic.twitter.com/K2t8EI0zDV— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 6, 2025
