“Trying to Ruin the Sport”: NASCAR President Teasing Unwanted Xfinity Series Changes Enrages Fans

The NASCAR Xfinity Series is celebrated as the sweet spot for traditional stock car racing. With its live axle suspension, narrower tires, and distinctive power-to-weight balance, the series provides a raw, exciting racing experience that fans adore. Yet, as NASCAR President Steve Phelps revealed during a Race Industry Week webinar, changes to the beloved Xfinity car could be on the horizon.

Not everyone is thrilled. While Phelps painted these adjustments as part of the sport’s evolution, fan backlash suggests a storm is brewing.

Phelps hinted at transformative shifts for the Xfinity and Truck Series, emphasizing collaboration with manufacturers, teams, and other stakeholders. But with the Xfinity car seen as a touchstone of NASCAR tradition, many fans fear that innovation could come at the expense of authenticity.

During a webinar, Phelps addressed NASCAR’s efforts to keep its vehicles competitive and aligned with the evolving automotive industry. “We’ll continue to fine-tune what that car is,” Phelps stated, signaling that updates to the Xfinity car are inevitable. While specific details remain scarce, he underscored NASCAR’s collaborative approach with key partners like manufacturers and Goodyear, aiming to modernize without alienating the sport’s loyal audience.

“It’s not just, ‘Hey NASCAR’s going to do this, this, and this.’ It really is working with our [manufacturer] partners, Goodyear, and race teams,” Phelps said. The dialogue also extends to potential new manufacturers who might join the series. However, any changes would require buy-in from those already entrenched in the garage. The Truck Series could also undergo modifications as part of NASCAR’s broader effort to adapt and innovate. Yet, the Xfinity Series stands out as a touchstone for fans who see it as a purer expression of stock car racing. Phelps’ comments about “opportunities” in NASCAR’s lower series hint at a willingness to explore changes that may rattle purists.

He added, “I think we’re looking at some things in the Xfinity Series, nothing to announce now. I think there’s some things we need to do with our race teams in the Xfinity Series as well as (the manufacturers) that are existing and potential new OEs that could be in that series and in our Truck Series.” This was one of the biggest bombshells Phelps dropped. The entry of Hyundai has been one of the biggest rumors in the season, one that emerged halfway into the regular season.

One of the things determining their entry into the sport would be the potential use of hybrid engines. With NASCAR taking up the green initiative similar to premier motorsports, it may not be such a far-fetched idea. Additionally, the Xfinity Series would be the perfect place to debut these changes. Young talent that is more willing to push unpredictable cars in their thirst for the win.

The timing of these announcements coincides with a significant media shakeup for NASCAR. Starting in 2025, the Xfinity Series will air exclusively on The CW as part of a revamped broadcasting arrangement aimed at broadening the sport’s audience. But for fans, the shift adds to the uncertainty surrounding the series’ future.

Fans voice strong opposition to Xfinity car changes

Fans of the Xfinity Series wasted no time making their feelings known, flooding social media with their thoughts. For many, the Xfinity car represents everything NASCAR’s Next Gen Cup car isn’t—simple, raw, and rooted in tradition. The Next Gen Cup car, which debuted in 2022, has been a point of contention for both fans and drivers alike. While it was designed to cut costs and improve competition, the car introduced a host of issues. Drivers complained about safety concerns after suffering harsher impacts, while fans lamented the car’s inability to produce consistently exciting racing on intermediate tracks. Additionally, the car’s lack of mechanical grip and over-reliance on aerodynamics have left many feeling disconnected from the door-to-door battles that once defined the sport.

This dissatisfaction with the Next Gen car has only amplified fears about similar changes coming to the Xfinity Series. “This is the best racing car out of all three major series,” one fan wrote, echoing a sentiment shared by countless others. The Xfinity car has aero potential that even Cup Series cars don’t just based on their power-to-weight ratio. The difference in their weights is one of the key factors here. The Xfinity car is 100 pounds lighter than the Cup car. Another mocked the NASCAR management underscoring the feeling within the community that the governing body can’t just let a good thing be as they said, “Why does it feel like everyday they’re just trying to ruin the sport?”

Critics also pointed out that while Cup Series fans have long called for substantial changes to the Next Gen car, NASCAR seems more focused on tinkering with the Xfinity Series instead. One frustrated fan remarked, “Xfinity has been the best series, so of course NASCAR wants to make changes to it. Meanwhile, Cup is begging for updates, and NASCAR is silent.” Drivers like Joey Logano have long advocated changes to the overall power of the Cup Series car, but as fans believe it, these changes fall on deaf ears.

The stakes are high for NASCAR’s leadership. Some fans acknowledged the need for evolution to remain relevant and cost-efficient, but they were quick to caution against losing the essence of what makes the Xfinity Series special. “The Next Gen car was such a major jump,” one fan wrote. “The current Xfinity car is what fans cling to for traditional stock car racing. I’d hate to see that go.” The uproar illustrates how deeply fans value the Xfinity Series as a connection to NASCAR’s roots. For many, the car’s identity and the racing it provides lie at the heart of their passion for the sport. It’s where drivers such as Kyle Busch created an ever-lasting legacy in the sport, perhaps even more than their Cup Series records.

As NASCAR navigates this delicate territory, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Xfinity Series stands at a crossroads, with fans hoping it doesn’t lose what makes it so uniquely captivating. Whether the proposed changes will ultimately enhance or diminish the series remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: fans won’t let go of their beloved Xfinity car without a fight.