Regulation is an important aspect of a sport, especially the ones like NASCAR that invoke aggression. Given the large proportion of younger generation drivers, it is the responsibility of the veterans to culture them and prepare them to act wisely. It has always been that way, as peers are best suited to communicate empathetically with fellow race drivers.

However, NASCAR veterans did not typically coddle inexperienced drivers, as per Steve Phelps. The stern language was more common than what is seen these days.

Young drivers tend to do whatever they have to do to win races

It is a fact that there is a lot of pressure on drivers as they enter NASCAR mostly as teenagers. As soon as race drivers gain some experience in other racing series and turn 18, they begin their NASCAR top series career. These drivers already achieve so much at such a young age that they tend to do what needs to be done to bring results.

Talking to Kevin Harvick about teaching the younger generation of drivers, Steve Phelps said on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, “I don’t think that’s a gross generalization about all young drivers, which I don’t think is the case.” Still, there is a category of drivers who he thinks would not be able to handle the teaching standards of earlier times. 

“The conversations that used to happen, like someone would have a conversation with you about something that happened on the race track, a veteran driver would come to you and say that’s not what we do here and if you do that again, we’ll bust your a**. I don’t think that that happens as much anymore for whatever reason, right,“ added Phelps. And there’s a reason for this change in perception. 

The attitude of drivers is influenced by their fans. If fans support and cheer on drama, then drivers get motivated to give them that. Therefore, all stakeholders must bring about the change for the sport to benefit. It is also somewhat riskier to crash in Get 7 cars as the handling is a little trickier, plus the shock absorption is higher. So, the intensity of damage is accordingly more. Take, for example, Corey LaJoie‘s crash in Michigan or Denny Hamlin’s crash in Richmond.

As much as NASCAR is trying to thoughtfully define the brand for young drivers, some drivers disagree with the approach.

What does Kyle Busch think of young drivers?

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Kyle Busch is known as ‘Rowdy’ for a reason. He is the kind of drivers who prefer some on-track altercations to maintain the adrenaline rush. According to Busch, some contact is what has been the norm in NASCAR, and the young drivers who avoid it are drifting away from the roots of the sport.

There have been certain brands of drivers who would agree with Busch, as for them, driving fearlessly helps drivers test their limits. And if drivers do not test their limits, they’ll never know what they’re capable of. So, the perception of such drivers is that young drivers lack the sheer intensity of competition when they don’t push boundaries.

But the younger drivers who do not adopt the ‘relaxed’ approach to racing don’t take opinions. And when they’re questioned, they respond with, “You know what, I’m good. I don’t need any help in, I’m just gonna go and try to do what I need to do. And if it’s aggressive driving, I’m just gonna drive aggressively,” in Phelps’ words.

Now, what’s ideal is something that the entire community will have to pitch in to decide to give a consistent direction to the sport. What do you think?