Eddie Gossage on F1 vs. NASCAR: A decade ago, Formula 1 and NASCAR had a substantial viewership gap of over 5 million. Yet, in 2022, the Miami GP and the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway coincided, both drawing an average of 2.6 million viewers. This scenario ignites a pondering question among NASCAR enthusiasts: Can Formula 1 surpass NASCAR in viewership and popularity?
Eddie Gossage, former President of Texas Motor Speedway and an experienced promoter, doesn’t see Formula 1 overtaking NASCAR in the viewership race. Ive heard that a lot, that theyre going to overtake NASCAR. No theyre not,” he remarked. Gossage considers the notion of Formula 1’s superiority largely driven by media hype. “It draws ratings comparable to Xfinity or IndyCar. The inference is Cup ought to be concerned, and thats not the case at all,” he explained.
While Gossage enjoys watching F1 races, he isn’t fervently chasing them; he tunes in when it’s convenient. “I dont get up at 4 in the morning to watch it. If I really want to watch it, Ive got a DVR. Im just a racing fan, but I cant say I seek it out on TV like I used to,” he admitted.
NASCAR has faced a gradual decline in viewership since 2005, while F1 has witnessed a meteoric rise, sparking discussions about the possibility of F1 overshadowing NASCAR in American motorsports.
F1’s innovative fan engagement strategies, including social media enhancements and the impactful Netflix docuseries, “Drive to Survive,” have significantly contributed to the sport’s increased popularity in the USA.
When discussing the current state of NASCAR, Gossage asserts that NASCAR remains the leading force, lauding the sport for its strategic decisions. He sees potential in Ben Kennedy, Bill France Jr.’s grandson, as the future of NASCAR. “They need to get this car to work exceptionally well on all tracks, not just certain tracks,” Gossage emphasized.
However, Gossage critiques NASCAR’s schedule, particularly the surplus of road course events, expressing concerns about the street circuit race in Chicago. I think they may have overreacted in that people were enjoying the road course races like at Watkins Glen and Sonoma, permanent road courses, a proper road course,” he opined.
Despite believing that NASCAR is innovating to entertain fans, Gossage believes there might be a slight overemphasis, but ultimately sees these efforts as positive. “I think theyre strong and getting stronger. Theyre No. 1 with a bullet,” he concluded.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Which is faster Indy or F1 or NASCAR?
NASCAR offers a more thrilling racing experience than just speed alone. While F1 cars are the fastest on road courses and Indy cars dominate ovals, NASCAR takes the cake for intense side-by-side, bumper-to-bumper racing. Its unique style of racing cannot be matched by any other motorsport.
Is F1 faster than NASCAR?
The weight of the cars is a major factor that hinders their top speed in NASCAR. The current top speeds in NASCAR are recorded at approximately 321km/h, which is significantly slower than F1 and IndyCar. Additionally, NASCAR cars have a slower acceleration time, taking around 3.4 seconds to go from 0-96km/h.
Is F1 bigger than NASCAR?
Formula One is a clear favorite outside the U.S. with an average of 70 million viewers per race in the 2021 season. NASCAR, on the other hand, had a surge in popularity in the 2022 season with over three million viewers per race, the highest in four years.
How much horsepower does F1 have vs NASCAR?
Single-cockpit cars weigh only half as much as NASCARs. The NASCAR boasts a 5.9-liter EFI V8 engine that generates 750 horsepower, while F1 relies on a four-stroke 1.6-liter turbo V6 engine that delivers around 1000 horsepower.
