Formula 1 and NASCAR: two titans of the motorsport realm, each with a legion of passionate fans, often find themselves at the center of a riveting debate. Which reigns supreme—the sleek sophistication of Formula 1 or the heart-pounding thrill of NASCAR? The age-old NASCAR vs. F1 debate is a favorite topic among motorsport aficionados.

While both have their own unique quirks and qualities, the conversation recently took a twist. Danica Patrick, a former stock car racing sensation, sparked quite the storm with her remarks about NASCAR. Although she faced a barrage of criticism, Kenny Wallace, a seasoned NASCAR pro, stepped up to rally behind her. Now, that’s some race-worthy drama!

Kenny Wallace backs Danica Patrick with NASCAR’s branding game!

Enter the glitzy realm of Formula 1—teams ceaselessly chase after avant-garde marvels, like Red Bull’s groundbreaking exhaust-blown diffuser or McLaren’s ingenious F-Duct. In this high-tech frenzy, many perceive NASCAR’s roaring beasts as relics from the era of the Flintstones. And even as NASCAR shifts gears, introducing futuristic cars, its drivers haven’t achieved the global stardom akin to their F1 counterparts.

The observation wasn’t lost on Danica Patrick. In a tweet shared by reporter Adam Stern, the 41-year-old mused, “.@DanicaPatrick: “There was a time when Formula One wasn’t really a blip on the radar here in the States and NASCAR drivers were everything. A lot of that correlates with, yes, the product, but also the marketability of the drivers.” – @AwfulAnnouncing.”

Despite the whirlwind of criticism that followed, some remembered her 2015 decision to decline an F1 offer, choosing the familiarity of NASCAR’s tracks and folks. So, clearly, she hasn’t been against NASCAR. That’s why skeptics whispered—was this a dash of growing bias or a hint of controversy?

Enter Kenny Wallace, the Xfinity Series maestro, who firmly believes Patrick hit the nail on the head. Pointing fingers at NASCAR and sponsors, he exclaimed, “It’s also the sponsors’ fault because everybody has been neutered; they’re scared of death of saying anything. Don’t say that because we want 100% of the business. So here’s what happens: The sponsors—they don’t want you being downy.”

“Hamlin, but look at any Hamlin now. He’s testing the waters. He got Actions Detrimental. He’s talking about a bunch of sh*t. I mean, he talks about NASCAR all the time. He says we’re driving these Lamborghinis. NASCAR kind of went; he’s talking sh*t about us. But yet, it’s good for the sport. […] So, Danica Patrick is right. The marketability of NASCAR drivers is it’s in the tank”, Kenny added.

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But Wallace didn’t just stop at approvals. In his video, he doled out potential solutions to steer NASCAR back into the limelight, a roadmap for its drivers, teams, and the sport itself. The race for marketability is on!

Kenny Wallace dishes out a game plan for NASCAR’s popularity puzzle

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According to Kenny Wallace, while Danica Patrick’s spotlight on NASCAR’s marketing woes hits the bullseye, there’s a playbook both sponsors and drivers can follow to rev up the sport’s popularity. Taking a leaf out of Denny Hamlin’s audacious podcast, The former Fox NASCAR reporter suggests that drivers don’t necessarily need their own shows but should definitely engage more with the media.

He reminisced that back in the day, NASCAR had vocal dynamos like Kyle Petty, Rusty Wallace, and Dale Sr., who were masters of memorable interviews. His quips? Legendary! But then sponsors wanted complete control. Any misstep and the drivers risked business. It’s backfiring now, stifling the sport and the drivers. Except for Denny Hamlin. He’s boldly stepping up, ruffling feathers, and look where it’s got him—major sponsorship! Why? Because he’s stirring the pot.

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After that buildup, Kenny Wallace gave the solution: “They “(NASCAR drivers) better start talking a little sh*t. They better start barbing. Because if they don’t, nobody’s going to know who they are. Sponsors are going to be boring; they are not going to promote them. Now I am not saying you got to be mean, but you got, you know, to have fun, right?”