Spire Motorsports threw down a whopping $40 million to buy Live Fast Motorsports’ charter. Still, it’s not the jaw-dropping price tag that has fans buzzing. It’s the sharp retort from NASCAR insider Brett Griffin that’s fueling controversy. So, what really has NASCAR Nation revved up?

NASCAR fans, the lifeblood of the sport, wasted no time in calling out Griffin. Accusations of entitlement and disrespect flooded social media. Some even questioned Griffin’s standing in the industry. 

Spire’s $40 Million Charter Splash

In a high-octane deal announced Saturday, Spire Motorsports acquired Live Fast Motorsports’ No. 78 charter. Jeff Gluck announced this in a post on X captioned, “Spire buys Live Fast’s charter for $40 million.” It thus expanded its lineup to three cars for the 2024 season. The transaction set the record for being the highest price ever paid for a charter since NASCAR introduced its franchise-like system in 2016. But that’s not all. Guess who will be driving it?

DOVER, DELAWARE – AUGUST 21: Zane Smith, driver of the #21 On The House Cocktail Mix Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series KDI Office Technology 200 at Dover International Speedway on August 21, 2020 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Amid the ruckus, Spire seems unperturbed, focusing on its future with the new acquisition. They’re betting big on Truck Series champion Zane Smith, who will be behind the wheel of the newly acquired No. 78 car. The young talent is under contract with fellow Cup team Trackhouse Racing, making this a unique farming-out arrangement. But what makes this young gun so special? 

Fans Slam NASCAR Insider Brett Griffin

NASCAR insider Brett Griffin took to social media with a caustic quip: “It’s time for the guys that can’t stay on the lead lap to cash out.” Was this just playful banter or a cynical jab at struggling teams? Either way, Griffin’s comment did nothing but tread lightly with the NASCAR Fandom.

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“Complaining about having cars filling up the field is honestly crazy to me,” one fan wrote. 

Another added, “I have a lot of respect for you Brett & what you’ve accomplished. And I’ll never understand why you choose to disrespect so many drivers/teams trying to do more with less. The shtick sucks. Working for wealthy, successful people doesn’t make YOU better/smarter, just entitled.”

“Dude’s not even in the top 10 of best spotters,” the third one chimed in. 

“Brett the spotter might be worth respect, I genuinely don’t know, but Brett the podcast/media mouthpiece has does almost nothing but spout embarrassing nonsense for years,” a NASCAR enthusiast wrote. 

“It’s time for spotters with horrible opinions to start being ignored,” a savage comment stated. 

Another fan wrote, “This, meanwhile you see TJ Majors lending his time to underfunded ARCA teams for peanuts.” 

“Especially a guy that worked for MWR, a team that stuck with it even though they couldn’t even qualify for races at first. Even his most recent team in Kaulig,” someone added. 

“I’d like to see him go out there and try doing what half these teams do on a weekly basis. But instead he chooses to sit on Twitter and spout nonsense everyday.” one fan tweeted. 

The race for charters is not just a race on the track; it’s also a financial rat race. As NASCAR moves closer to finalizing its next Cup Series television contract, rumored to surpass the previous $8.2 billion deal, charter values are expected to rise even higher—think $50 million or more. But what does this mean for the sport’s little guys? Is this just the capitalist wheel turning, or is there more under the hood?

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Whether you’re siding with Griffin’s provocative commentary or standing with the fans who slam him, this high-stakes game of NASCAR Monopoly is far from over. So, strap in and get ready for a wild ride because, folks, we’re only getting started.