“All a Dog and Pony Show”- Veteran NASCAR Insider Unravels His Frustration With NASCAR’s Rolling Out of Electric Vehicle

NASCAR—the home of loud combustion engines—will test its first entirely electric prototype on February 4th, at the Clash at The Coliseum in LA. However, when it comes to what he views as a “dog and pony show,” veteran NASCAR driver and former FOX reporter Kenny Wallace is not holding back. His recent sentiments on electric vehicles further amplify the doubts held by a large number of stock-car traditionalists.

Nevertheless, the NASCAR electric prototype has reportedly completed over 340 laps at the Martinsville Speedway, putting it within a few tenths of the current Cup Series racecar despite all speculations. It is also important to remember that this electric car is merely a concept for the future and is not intended for racing right now. As emphasized by NASCAR Vice President of Vehicle Design Brandon Thomas previously, this car is a “concept car” in development with a clear vision for tomorrow.

‘The Kenny Wallace’ Take On NASCAR’s Electrical Innovations

Wallace is no stranger to the evolving ‘generations’ of stock cars. The three-time Busch Series Most Popular Driver voiced his displeasure in a recent episode of “The Kenny Wallace Show,” saying, “NASCAR’s got this new next-gen car; it’s Earth-shattering, ground-breaking, but the new next-gen car is years behind, It’s basically the same car they’ve been running over there in the Australian V8 series” Wallace’s criticism centers on NASCAR’s delay in adopting new technology, drawing comparisons between the slow acceptance of the new next-generation cars and the switch from carburetors to fuel ignition in 2012. 

The ‘Herminator’ went on to challenge the practicality of electric cars beyond motorsports innovation, claiming that there is not enough infrastructure in place to support mass electric vehicle adoption. He argues, “There’s 360 million people in America, so let’s just take half. We’re going to need what, 100 million charging stations? I’m betting there ain’t 100,000 charging stations in all of America right now.” 

Watch This Story: Insider Reveals NASCAR’s ‘All-Electric’ Apprehension

Electric, Gasoline or Hydrogen? What is the way ahead?

Amidst an abundance of opinions regarding NASCAR’s electric future, David Wilson, President of Toyota Racing Development, presents an alternate viewpoint. Wilson thinks NASCAR would experience considerable difficulties as there hasn’t yet been a ‘successful battery-electric racing series yet.’ However, he introduced the idea of an alternative technology that combines a carbon-neutral footprint with the beloved sound of racing.

He believes that existing technologies such as green hydrogen technology hold great potential and that Toyota’s investments in this area indicate that it could become a practical choice in the future. Furthermore, reports heavily persist of NASCAR experimenting with hydrogen engines, as mentioned by Wallace in the video, “NASCAR has come out and said, look, we believe in hydrogen-combustion motors.”

Uncertainty surrounds the actual impact of the electric prototype, despite its impending reveal. The racing world waits impatiently to see if NASCAR’s electric experiment on the legendary oval circuit will prove to be a passing fad or a long-lasting revolution as the Clash draws closer on February 4th.

Read More: Fan Concerns Regarding the New Electric Vehicle at the Clash Might Be a Little Far Fetched