Does Phoenix Raceway deserve to host the NASCAR Cup Series finale? This has become a topic of debate among the NASCAR circles, especially after the thrilling race at Homestead Miami Speedway. Talk about multiple racing groves, passing opportunities, and late-race drama, it delivered on all fronts. Since then, there have been demands to get the Homestead race back as a championship race venue.

This prospect isn’t going to bear fruit for next year, at least as Phoenix is confirmed to retain its place for the penultimate race. NASCAR is trying their best to promote the track as the best option; they have announced that Whitney Cummings will serve as the honorary starter for the championship race. This move was expected to bring in more eyeballs and hype around the race, but NASCAR fans are just not sold on it.

“Comedian, actress, writer, and producer Whitney Cummings to wave the green flag for the start of the Cup championship race at Phoenix.” Bob Pockrass shared this update on X. The 42-year-old is known for her stand-up comedy and also runs a podcast show. She wears multiple hats in the creative space, but it looks like NASCAR fans are not aware of her work and accomplishments.

If NASCAR is trying to attract more eyeballs and new audiences to the sport, this move does make sense. However, for the traditional NASCAR fan, Cummings’ addition didn’t hold any particular significance. And the fans certainly didn’t hold back in questioning NASCAR’s call to have her wave the green flag for the blockbuster race.

Who is Whitney Cummings?

It looked like this race fan already knew what the majority of the comments were going to be like regarding Cummings. And before the Who? messages started pouring in, the fan wrote this under the comments section. “Should be a goldmine of comments, with original zingers such as “Who?”

One of the easiest ways in the era of the internet is to type a query on the Google search bar, and you will know the answer. However, for the NASCAR fans, it was important to send their opinion and initial reactions first and then do their research. Taking a sarcastic jab at such users on X, a fan added, “The comments on this are making me laugh like y’all know Google exists, right?”

Now Whitney is known for her roasting and making jokes about sensitive topics. Not everyone or the audience who sells out her shows is offended by them. However, winning over NASCAR fans is a tricky task, which was evident in this comment. “Odd choice. She seems like the type of person who would actively hate NASCAR and NASCAR fans.”

One particular fan took this opportunity and threw shades at RCR driver Austin Hill. The driver has a bad reputation among a section of the fans, as they believe the iconic #3 car of Dale Earnhardt is being disrespected. It is indeed tough to continue Intimidator’s legacy, but Dillon does have a lot of stick despite trying his best. “If Austin Dillon can drive a Cup car, she can wave the Green Flag.”

Honorary starters aren’t paid by NASCAR to come to the races. It’s a gesture of goodwill or token of appreciation by the sanctioning body. We did have Greg Biffle serve as the honorary starter, waving the green flag at Roval for his selfless contribution to relief work towards the communities affected by Hurricane Helene. However, this fan’s outlook towards this honorary role was a bit blurry: “NASCAR hires anyone lol.”

Honorary starters and pace car drivers do not directly impact the racing that happens on the racetrack. But for some reason, a guest pick always seems to be a major talking point of discussion, and that was the case with Cummings appointment as well.