NASCAR COO Opposes His Own Series’ Move to Electric, Revealing His Plans for the Hybrid Future

Electric vehicles seem to be the future of motor racing at the moment. To that end, several motorsports bodies have ventured into the EV market to look for the best possible solutions to incorporate in their respective competitions. NASCAR is no different. While EV racing in NASCAR has been met with backlash from fans, the organization isn’t showing signs of backing down from its efforts. However, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell has made a rather contradictory statement.

The shift to EV, if it ever happens in the future, will be tough to adapt to. NASCAR might also end up losing a lot of fans who believe EVs cannot deliver the same level of racing as the present stock cars. Steve O’Donnell had recently updated fans regarding the whole situation.

NASCAR chief gives important EV update

NASCAR Chief Operating Officer Steve O’Donnell discussed electric vehicles and the behind-the-scenes developments surrounding them. It looks like the sport has finally made some progress regarding electric stock cars.

“A lot of work has gone on at the R&D department around EV. We have a car, we have an alternative body style with that car,” he said.

However, it is what he said after this that made fans a bit confused. The NASCAR COO revealed that he was looking at other alternatives since he doesn’t believe he would use EVs for racing full time in NASCAR. But he did mention that the cars could be showcased in 2024.

“I would not look for us specifically to go racing with it. I think you could see it showcased at certain events next year. But there’s other forms…Things change almost monthly in terms of what is going to be in the hands of consumers,” he added.

O’Donnell also revealed one of the alternatives to EVs is hydrogen racing. To that end, the NASCAR COO is headed to Japan to see how it works and whether it could be implemented in stock car racing.

Fans have been left confused by Steve O’Donnell’s comments. The main question on everyone’s minds is that if EVs are not being looked to as a full-time alternative, why spend time, effort, and money on its R&D?

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Fans were left confused and enraged after the COO’s update

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Fans on Twitter didn’t shy away from expressing their views on the matter, as expected from NASCAR fans.

“Why would NASCAR build an electric car if they didn’t plan on racing it? Being a showcar does nothing for the sport if it isn’t on the track,” one fan asked.

“Then why even come up with it?? If @NASCAR goes that route, you’ve lost your base of fans, and definitely me,” quipped another.

It’s no surprise that NASCAR stands to lose a lot of fans if they do go the EV route. Generations of fans have grown up on the stock car racing spectacle being a traditional motor racing event. The change might be a bit too much for some to come to terms with.

“I’m not sure nascar fans would ever really embrace evs. Perhaps the suv,” one fan suggested.

“Stage breaks would be solely to recharge,” commented another, seeing the humorous side of things.

However, there were some open to the idea of a few EV races on the NASCAR calendar. They didn’t want them completely replacing the normal stock cars, however.

“The regular season is already fully saturated with racing. Run the EVs as an off-season series at warm weather / international tracks with the finale as a supporting event the same weekend as the Daytona 500,” one fan suggested.

If EVs were brought into the fold by NASCAR, do you think they would be able to deliver competitive and entertaining racing action? Let us know your views.

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