Let’s face it—NASCAR isn’t what it used to be. Once the darling of motorsport fans across America, the roar of the engines and the packed grandstands seem more like memories these days. Sure, NASCAR’s tried to shake things up—stage racing, playoffs, you name it—but for all the tweaks and changes, the crowds aren’t exactly rushing back.

Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, never one to shy away from controversy, recently popped up on Chase Holden’s YouTube channel, and boy, did he have some things to say. According to Mayfield, NASCAR’s got a few tricks up its sleeve to make it look like those grandstands are packed, even when they’re not.

The veteran didn’t hold back during his chat with Holden, drawing some eye-opening comparisons between NASCAR and other sports. “Look at Michael Jordan…he left basketball. What happened? The sport just kept rolling and just kept going…that just drives me crazy is: Have you ever went to, let’s say a NFL game or just watched it on TV? They’re packed. They’re full. College football? Full. You can’t get nobody [inside].“

He wasn’t just pointing out the empty seats—Mayfield claimed NASCAR’s been using a bit of smoke and mirrors to make it look like those crowds are still there. “They’re not covering up their stands with beer signs and everything else… Just because they don’t have the fans there just to make it look like it’s full,” he said.

Mayfield even suggested fans play a little game of “spot the difference” between older races and today’s. Look at the backstretch of the 1998 Daytona 500, he said, where “Daytona, full, can’t get another person in there.” Now, he argues, you’ll see a very different picture.

Holden chimed in with an insider trick: those colored seats at the tracks? They’re not just for aesthetics. “The seats are literally colored in a way now to where it looks like there’s people,” he explained. Mayfield nodded in agreement, saying it was all about the illusion. “So when you’re watching them on TV, it looks like it’s full, you know,” he added.

This isn’t Jeremy Mayfield’s first rodeo when it comes to criticizing NASCAR. His relationship with the organization has been rocky, to say the least. Back in 2009, he was suspended indefinitely after a drug test allegedly came back positive for methamphetamine. Mayfield fought back, claiming it was all a mistake due to a mix of prescribed and over-the-counter medications, but NASCAR wasn’t having it.

What followed was a messy legal battle that ended with Mayfield, disgraced and out of the sport—with a lot to say about how NASCAR operates. His recent comments about empty stands and visual tricks? Just another chapter in a long history of taking shots at the organization.

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Where NASCAR stands today

NASCAR’s in a tough spot. The Daytona 500, its crown jewel, has seen its viewership numbers slip over the years. The 2024 edition averaged 5.96 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched races in history. It still managed to outshine the NBA All-Star Game that weekend, but for a race that used to dominate, it’s not exactly a brag-worthy stat.

At the same time, NASCAR’s sponsorship game is still strong. The Daytona 500 brought in deals worth nearly $400 million, with Goodyear alone accounting for $125 million. That’s good news for the business side of things, but sponsorship dollars can’t fill empty seats—or solve the sport’s deeper issues.

Jeremy Mayfield’s comments highlight a growing sense of unease among fans and insiders alike. NASCAR used to be about roaring engines, packed grandstands, and an undeniable buzz in the air. Now? Some argue it’s become a polished TV product, one that’s more about appearances than substance.

Mayfield’s right about one thing: NASCAR could do with a long, hard look in the mirror. The sport that once captured the hearts of millions feels like it’s struggling to find its footing. Fans who remember the good old days can’t help but notice the cracks—and they’re not going to be fooled by cleverly colored seats or a few strategically placed banners.

For NASCAR to truly bounce back, it’ll need more than just gimmicks and tweaks. The essence of what made the sport great—the raw excitement, the packed stands, the connection with fans—needs to come roaring back, just like the cars on the track.

Mayfield’s words might sting for NASCAR, but maybe they’re exactly what the sport needs to hear.