NASCAR league sees momentum, but state of sport hinges on helping fans follow drivers and races
Making NASCAR Easier to Follow
O’Donnell said NASCAR should focus on making the sport easier to follow and doing more to tell the stories of people across the industry. He described the league as having momentum, while acknowledging that work remains.
He said fan surveys indicate satisfaction with the racing product, including the short-track package, which has drawn criticism. O’Donnell said positive survey trends do not mean the league will stop making changes.
Considering New Markets
NASCAR continues to explore potential markets, including outside the United States, but O’Donnell said there was no announcement to make. He said the league wants international expansion to build a local following rather than simply stage an event and leave.
NASCAR held a race at Naval Base Coronado in June 2026 and plans to return there in 2027. The league has said it will race at a different military base in 2028; O’Donnell said the annual military-base plan has broad support and expressed confidence in it regardless of election results.
Safety and Former Drivers
Asked about NASCAR’s role in studying and treating former drivers, following the disclosure that Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, O’Donnell focused on safety measures for current drivers. He said NASCAR doctors have studied concussion effects. O’Donnell acknowledged that racing is dangerous and described concussions as a major concern across sports.
Key points
- O’Donnell said NASCAR has momentum but must improve how fans follow the sport and hear its stories.
- NASCAR is exploring international markets, with no new destination announced.
- NASCAR plans to return to Naval Base Coronado in 2027 and use a different military base in 2028.
- O’Donnell discussed current safety measures after a question about Fred Lorenzen’s CTE diagnosis.