Latest news with #NASCAR:FullSpeed
Newsweek
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Ryan Blaney Breaks Down Real Reason For NASCAR's Disconnect With the Masses
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Ryan Blaney didn't hold himself back from admitting the disconnect between NASCAR and the masses, revealing that it lags behind sports such as football, basketball, and baseball, which fans are able to play and enjoy themselves. Blaney also pointed out that the lives of the drivers and who they are as people need to be showcased more often so people can connect with them at a personal level, rather than the drivers being featured for the sole purpose of promotion and advertising. NASCAR is reportedly struggling to connect with a younger audience, but Blaney believes the sport needs to be showcased more with a human element that fans can relate to. Speaking in an interview with RG, he said: William Byron, driver of the #24 Raptor Chevrolet, and Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on... William Byron, driver of the #24 Raptor Chevrolet, and Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. More"How can you make the drivers more personable? How do you increase their stardom, and it starts with not only showing the product on the track, it's also showing these people and these athletes and things like that. "I've always said NASCAR is hard to relate to people, to the mass population, because unfortunately unlike football, basketball [or] baseball, you can't go to a park and play it [race] like everybody can do. "You can't just go have a car and go to the racetrack. It's different, it takes a lot of time and money to do it, so people don't have that connection of, 'Oh yeah, I played that sport as a kid, so I really enjoy it now as an adult.' "Watching racing is hard to do, so how do you do it in a certain way to where you just get people interested if maybe they haven't driven before, and how do you describe it in a way that they can relate to it?" The 31-year-old driver believes shows like Netflix's docuseries, 'NASCAR: Full Speed,' could open up the sport to the younger audience. He said: "I think that's neat for people to see, kind of that aspect of it. It's really important to do those things, to showcase more info about your sport. No matter what sport it is, how do you draw people that maybe don't watch your sport? How do you draw them in? "I've had a lot of people since that first season say, 'Hey you know we watched the Netflix show and we didn't really know much about racing, but we really enjoyed the people in it and this is our first race.'" The 2023 NASCAR champion often comes across as a relaxed personality. However, he admitted that he is the opposite when he puts on his crash helmet, a contrast well captured by the Netflix docuseries. Blaney said: "You're going to be fiery, you're going to be passionate about what you do. But then you take off the helmet, you're just kind of a normal person. You can have a completely different attitude or mentality. I'm that way. I'm a freaking tyrant when I put the helmet on, but that's just how I am, and I'm a competitive person."
Newsweek
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Ryan Blaney Reveals Stance On Netflix's NASCAR: Full Speed Season 3
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney has revealed whether he would support a third season of the Netflix docuseries, NASCAR: Full Speed. The second season of the show, which followed the 2024 playoffs, was released on May 7. While speaking to the media in Kansas, Blaney opened up on filming the second season of the series and whether he would like to see it return for a third. "Yeah, my wife and I watched it when it came out, I think that night actually," the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion explained. Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in... Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. More"It's funny because there's some things that you don't remember about it, like, 'oh wow, I can't believe that happened or we said that,' and Joanna said a couple of things. She's like, 'I don't remember saying that', and a little mortified a little bit I think of some things that the microphone caught, but no, I thought it was great. "I thought they did a good job of taking their time with this one. More time than they did last year of waiting to put it out so they can refine some stuff. And it was cool for me personally having them around, following us around for our title defense that year and that was a fun journey with those folks over at Netflix." Confirming that he would support a third season, he continued: "Yes, is my answer to season 3. I hope everyone likes it enough and I hope Netflix gets enough of a response from it again to warrant season 3, because I think people really enjoy the inside look of the teams and the drivers and their significant others and the toll that it takes on a week to week basis. "And the highs and the lows of the sport, I think people can can relate to that in their own way, how people celebrate the good times or deal with the rough times. "I think it's all about the relatability side because the fan watching can't relate to driving race cars because they don't get the chance to do it. But, if you can relate to the person, I think people can really kind of latch on to you and then latch on to the sport as well. "So I hope they bring it back. I really do. I enjoyed filming with those folks and they're very respectful of us. I hope everyone liked it."
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Chase Briscoe Reveals How He Scored JGR Seat After SHR Closure In NASCAR: Full Speed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The second season of NASCAR: Full Speed offered fans a behind the scenes look at how Chase Briscoe dealt with the closure of Stewart Haas Racing, and how he managed to secure Martin Truex Jr.'s seat at Joe Gibbs Racing. The popular Netflix docuseries, the second season of which was released on 7 May, follows the playoffs. As the 30-year-old driver approached the end of the 2024 season, a shadow of doubt was cast over his future with the closure of his team, Stewart Haas Racing, looming and no confirmed contract for 2025. Briscoe ultimately signed for Joe Gibbs Racing as Martin Truex Jr. retired from the sport. The show gave fans a look into how this team change came about. Briscoe explained, as quoted by Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas."I get a text message from an unsaved number I didn't have, it says: 'Chase, it's Coach [Joe Gibbs], what are you doing tomorrow morning?' And I said, 'Well, I'm supposed to go meet with the Wood Brothers – the 21 car.' "Coach calls me and says 'I'm nervous about you going to this 21 car. You better not screw this up.' I said, 'What do you mean?' He said, 'Well, if you want to drive the 19 car, it's all yours. Martin's [Truex Jr.] not coming back.' Briscoe had been with Stewart Haas Racing since 2018, starting part-time before signing a full-time contract in 2019. Speaking on the closure of the Tony Stewart and Gene Haas-led team, Briscoe commented on the Netflix series: "Everybody at Stewart-Haas has been like family. That's all I've known for the last seven years. "I was crying literally before we rolled off [at the final race of 2024 in Phoenix]. I don't think it even hit me until I saw all the guys like they were tearing up on pit road too. Just knowing that we don't get to race together again is sad." The Stewart Haas Racing team shared a heartfelt message on social media following the closure, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports: "To Our Stewart-Haas Fans, you've cheered with us, and yes, sometimes even booed us. You showed up passionately and proudly. And we've felt your presence through the highs and lows. "It's been the ride of a lifetime to be part of this sport and to play a small role in entertaining you all. As we close this final lap, we want to say thank you. Your energy has been felt in each moment and mile. And we'll carry your support with us always."
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NASCAR expands global reach with upcoming Mexico City race
MEXICO CITY — More than 200 Mexican journalists packed into a media event Wednesday morning in Mexico City to hear from local race organizers, NASCAR executives and a quartet of the sport's biggest stars sharing updates on the June 13-15 NASCAR race weekend in Mexico. Tickets for the event go on sale this week. NASCAR Vice President Steve O'Donnell welcomed the crowd in Spanish. After a brief question-and-answer session on stage with drivers Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suárez, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott, the drivers conducted one-on-one interviews with an enthusiastic Mexican media contingent. 'I would say today was awesome,' O'Donnell said afterward. 'You always think about all the work that goes into prepping for events, and to see it come to fruition, to see the enthusiasm today from the drivers — obviously they've been here taking in the culture, learning about things they aren't normally exposed to — I think they'll take that excitement back to the U.S. and talk to the other drivers and people in the industry, and that will get them more excited for the event too. 'When you come to a new venue, particularly in a new country, seeing people who may not understand the sport but want to learn, and seeing their enthusiasm for NASCAR, is awesome. And it kind of refreshes you. This is what the sport's all about, and we're lucky we get to do what we do.' RELATED: | The program included a preview of the upcoming Netflix docuseries NASCAR: Full Speed. A featured clip highlighted Suárez, the first Mexican-born driver to win in NASCAR's top series, who emotionally shared that he did not come from a wealthy family and relied on talent and perseverance to reach the highest level of the sport. 'I have done some things that seemed impossible by following my dreams,' Suárez said in the film. On stage, Suárez recalled an emotional moment early in his career when he sought advice from 10 close confidants about whether he should move from Mexico to the United States to pursue a NASCAR career. Eight of them told him no. But he listened to the other two, moving to North Carolina, where he learned English and survived on very little money. In 2016, the Monterrey, Mexico, native won the Xfinity Series championship. Since then, he has earned two Cup Series victories and made two playoff appearances with the latest coming last year. 'All the complications actually made the journey,' the Trackhouse Racing driver said. 'This is a dream, and I'm trying to enjoy every single minute of it.' That passion is what draws fans to the sport — both die-hard and new. For Suárez, the opportunity to return to Mexico as a top-tier driver for a top-tier team is something he doesn't take for granted. His inspiring journey wasn't lost on his fellow NASCAR Cup Series stars sitting beside him on stage. Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and the sport's perpetually voted Most Popular Driver, called his time in Mexico City this week — and the chance to return for the race — 'a great honor for all of us involved.' He thanked the community for greeting them with 'open arms.' 'All we ask for is the opportunity, and you have given that to us,' said Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. MORE: Cup Series driver explore Mexico City Bell, last week's winner at Atlanta Motor Speedway, also noted the warm reception they have received—from touring the track at the famous Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to sampling authentic tacos and attending a Lucha Libre wrestling match Tuesday night. Not only is NASCAR experiencing a new culture, but the sport is also bringing a new experience to the Mexican people and the large international crowd expected to attend the three-day event in downtown Mexico City. 'I love, love the fact of diversifying the schedule and going to new venues,' said Bell, a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and the most recent Cup Series winner, while speaking with a group of Mexican media members. 'You just want the crowd to turn out, and you want crowd engagement. Based on what we've experienced this week and what we know is to come, I think that's going to happen here in Mexico,' he added. 'I think it's going to be a banner weekend, and the crowd seems like it's going to be very engaged and show up in a big way.' 'I'm a big advocate of going to different venues, and coming here — this is a world-class facility. It's a place we should be coming to. It's going to be fun seeing it all unfold.' As event executive Federico Alamán González said with a smile and in perfect English: 'Gentlemen, start your engines!'
