“You Ain’t Country”: NASCAR Fandom Split in Factions as Country Music Icon Set to Grace Atlanta Cup Race

The pre-race vibe at NASCAR events is a rich mix of music, festivities, and fanfare, having grown from its roots at the Daytona 500 to become a mainstay at races nationwide. Given their ever-growing popularity, these musical performances have been worked into various racing events across the U.S. Over the years, a slew of artists, ranging from rock legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s cover band, Tuesday’s Gone, to pop sensations like Andy Grammer, have rocked the pre-race concerts.

Each of these gigs brings its own mash-up of music styles to the track, creating a lit atmosphere. This year, the Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) will host old-school country music star Zach Top, sparking hype among NASCAR fans. Are Zach Top’s traditional country vibes enough to click with NASCAR fans from different backgrounds? How will fans react to this throwback to classic country music?

The pre-race concerts hanging between good things and bad things

Last year, the Atlanta Motor Speedway concert series was a dope mix of genres and performers. Chapel Hart, a powerhouse trio, brought soul to the AMS Fan Zone. Pop stars Andy Grammer and Lonestar also joined in, their eclectic styles fitting right into the mix for many attendees. A Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band called Tuesday’s Gone kicked off the celebrations in a nostalgic way. With such a diverse lineup, there was something for everyone, making race day bigger and better than ever before.

However, this year, AMS has announced Zach Top as the headliner for the pre-race concert. Top’s music, deeply rooted in traditional country, is expected to strike a chord with fans who dig the genre’s classic sounds. His tracks like “Sounds Like the Radio” and “Bad Luck” reflect his upbringing and influences, drawing from the legendary ’90s country artists he grew up listening to.

Fans with pre-race track passes will have the chance to catch his performance up close, making it a killer prelude to the Quaker State 400. However, this announcement has also stirred up a range of reactions, showing a split within the fanbase.

While pre-race concerts have become a regular thing at many races, they’ve also faced some flak. Since the end of the “Camelot era” for NASCAR, there’s been a noticeable shift towards amping up the fan experience with these musical events. Some fans say this shift has led to an overload of concerts, taking away from the main event – the races.

Comments from fans on social media and forums often reflect frustration with the repetitive nature of these events. One Reddit user lamented, “Pre-race concerts once reserved for the Daytona 500 have become commonplace at nearly every stop on the circuit. But as it often does, too much of a good thing has become a bad thing.” This sentiment underscores the ongoing debate within the NASCAR community about the role and relevance of pre-race concerts.

The inherent divide: Some perspectives and NASCAR’s choices

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NASCAR fans are split about featuring Zach Top. On one hand, folks are digging Zach Top because he’s a traditional country artist. This is why his appearance in the concert has been hyped, bringing back memories of classic country sounds. Such views are expressed through statements like, “If you don’t know Zach Top, then you ain’t country” and “Sounds like real country unlike today’s music”. These supporters find Top’s genuineness and reminiscence a good addition to the occasion.

However, a chunk of the fan base isn’t feeling it or is straight-up against it. For example, some fans joke that they’re “more of a Zach Bottom kind of guy“. showing there’s a disconnect with some folks when it comes to these music genres. Plus, others argue they only hit up the races for the racing itself, not the pre-race concerts. One fan commented, “Am I the only one that goes to a race for the race?”

The beef extends beyond just personal preferences. There’s an ongoing debate about whether pre-race concerts even fit into NASCAR’s overall vibe. They’ve become a standard feature at many races since expanding from Daytona. But some fans aren’t down with this trend. One user noted, “Since the economic downturn and the end of the ‘Camelot era’ for NASCAR, the tracks have seemed to place a lot more focus on this aspect of the race day experience.”

This divide gets more complicated with the logistical hassles. Many fans have griped about the quality of the experience, pointing out issues like crappy sound and bad visibility unless you’ve got a pit pass. One fan suggested “As we all know, the midway at NASCAR races is nothing like what it used to be. There is a lot more open real estate out there than there used to be (Bristol, once again, is a perfect example of this). Why not fill the unused space with a proper concert stage that allows everyone the opportunity to take in a concert in a typical concert setting”.

So, it’s clear that NASCAR has a long road ahead to meet fan expectations. It might be impossible for NASCAR to pick an artist everyone loves, but they can make the artists more accessible for everyone. Small steps can make a big difference. Regular fan polls should be conducted to keep it real and choose artists accordingly. After all, NASCAR is a spectator sport.