NASCAR Off-Season Is Leaving Fans Wanting More as Criticism on Drivers Reaches a Boiling Point

As the NASCAR off-season rolls on, fans are finding themselves in the throes of withdrawal. After a grueling 38-race schedule spanning February to November, most drivers understandably retreat to recharge with their families, reflect on the season, and prepare for the year ahead. The relentless pace of the Cup Series makes this downtime almost sacred for the drivers.

While some take the opportunity to step away, others opt to stay behind the wheel, competing in other disciplines or series to hone their skills or indulge in the joy of racing without the weight of championship points. Kyle Larson, for instance, has gained a reputation as a dirt-track maestro in the off-season competing in his High Limit Racing league and Tulsa Shootout alongside Kyle Busch, while Chase Elliott’s forays into Super Late Models and Rallycross have thrilled his fans. Even Kurt Busch, semi-retired from NASCAR, ventured into the Baja 1000 this year, showcasing his enduring passion for motorsport.

But for many fans, these examples are too few and far between. Some lament the days when NASCAR drivers were a fixture at local Saturday night short tracks or high-profile events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Others point the finger at team owners, accusing them of stifling drivers’ ambitions with restrictive contracts. Whatever the reason, the NASCAR off-season has left fans yearning for more action, and their frustrations are boiling over.

Who’s to blame for the lack of extracurricular racing? And is it fair to criticize drivers who choose to step back? Let’s take a closer look at the fan reactions that have ignited this debate.

Fans speak out—where are the drivers?

Many fans feel deprived of seeing their favorite drivers in action outside the NASCAR bubble. A recurring sentiment is nostalgia for the days of the International Race of Champions (IROC), where drivers from diverse disciplines competed in identical cars. On a Reddit thread, one fan lamented, “This is part of the reason why IROC going away was sad. It’s fun to see all types of drivers racing different cars.”

There’s also a yearning for more grassroots participation. “Yeah, I’d love to see a few of these guys in regular Saturday night short track races,” one fan commented, echoing the belief that such appearances could help build NASCAR’s connection with local racing communities.

Another frequent gripe is the declining presence of Cup drivers at marquee events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Rolex 24 is a 24-hour race on the fabled Daytona International Speedway and has had legendary winners such as Ken Miles, Mario Andretti, A. J. Allmendinger, and many more. “Anytime Cup drivers can race outside of NASCAR, it’s a good thing,” said one fan. “It brings more attention to the sport and helps grow the driver’s brand.” Yet, they noted that team owners often discourage or outright forbid drivers from participating in non-NASCAR events, fearing injury risks.

The frustration is palpable among fans who believe NASCAR is missing an opportunity to showcase its drivers’ versatility especially when the rest of the world of motorsport often undermines the ability of NASCAR drivers. “I hate that the NASCAR season is so long that we rarely get to see these guys showing their talent elsewhere,” one fan stated. They also criticized the sport’s insular nature, adding, “It feels like a closed circus NASCAR worked so hard to build back in the day, pretending they are the only motorsport.”

For some, the blame lies squarely with team owners like Roger Penske, who reportedly restrict their drivers’ participation in outside events. One fan shared an anecdote: “When I met Roger Penske briefly at last year’s Rolex grid walk, I said to him, ‘Can you get Logano to do one of these things?’ And he replied, ‘We’ll see what we can do,’ while walking away.” Despite the empty promise, the fan was steadfast in their demands, “Joey needs to be in a Mustang GT3 or a Penske Porsche GTP at some point!”

In defense of the drivers—burnout is real

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While fans’ frustrations are understandable, there’s another side to the story. NASCAR’s grueling schedule, one of the longest in professional sports, leaves drivers and their families physically and mentally exhausted. “The season is incredibly long and difficult for the drivers and their families,” one fan acknowledged. “If they want to do more, great. I’d love to see them visit small, local tracks to support lower divisions. If not, I’m fine with that, too.”

The physical toll of a season packed with intense competition cannot be understated. Drivers spend countless hours on the road, training, testing, and racing, often with little time to rest. Add to that the risk of injury in any form of motorsport, and it’s no wonder that some teams prefer to keep their drivers focused solely on NASCAR.

Even among fans critical of the current state of the sport, there’s recognition of teams that strike a balance. Hendrick Motorsports, for example, has embraced extracurricular racing, with Kyle Larson competing in dirt races and Chase Elliott taking on diverse disciplines like Rallycross. “This is the one thing I feel HMS does better than anyone,” one fan observed. “Larson’s running dirt. IndyCar. Elliott races Super Late Models, Dirt, Rallycross. Bowman was running a bunch of dirt until he got hurt. HMS went from not allowing extracurricular racing to actively encouraging it for their drivers.”

Ultimately, while fans wish for more off-season action, many also sympathize with the drivers’ need to recharge. The desire to see their heroes compete is driven by passion, but it’s tempered by an understanding of the demands these athletes face.

As the NASCAR off-season sparks heated debates, it’s clear that fans crave more than just a few months of silence. They want to see drivers push their limits in different arenas, showcasing their versatility and bringing attention to NASCAR in the process.

Yet, the current landscape doesn’t make that easy. Lengthy schedules, injury risks, and restrictive contracts are real barriers. The challenge lies in finding a middle ground—one that allows drivers to explore new opportunities while respecting their need for rest and recovery.

As fans wait for the 2025 season to kick off, the hope remains that the off-season can evolve into something more engaging. For now, though, the debate rages on, and NASCAR’s drivers are caught in the middle of a passionate fan base demanding more than just the main stage.