Ex-NASCAR racer claims the sports no longer has “the appeal of the drivers being heroes”
Rick Mast, the nine times Xfinity Series race winner, shared his feelings about the loss of star power in the stock car racing.
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NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix (Via IMAGO)
One of the major point of discussions with in the NASCAR community over the last decade has been the lack of true superstars in the sports. The premier stock car racing series no longer enjoys the same pop-culture influence it once enjoyed in the prime years of the likes of Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Rusty Wallace.
Recently ex-NASCAR racer Rick Mast via Kenny Wallace’s YouTube channel shared his feelings about the tough situation the sport was it at the moment. He admitted that the racers no-longer enjoy the same level of fandom they once enjoyed and are no longer seen as hero’s. Mast asserted that the change in fandom doesn’t mean the current racers are not talented and has personality.
We’ve also lost some of the appeal of the drivers being heroes to the fans… I’m not taking away anything from these guys now, they’re very talented, they’ve all got personalities.
Rick Mast said via Kenny Wallace’s YouTube channel.
He pointed out that there is now a disconnect between the drivers and fan, unlike in the 90s. Mast admitted that unlike in the past, social media as well as the general media nowadays have changed the whole dynamic and asserted that he doesn’t know how to get over it.
There’s a disconnect somewhere between these drivers and the fans that we used to have in the 90s. That connection is just not there and I’m not sure in today’s media world, with social media and with everything that goes on – how do we do that?
Rick Mast added.
Kenny Wallace shares the true extent of NASCAR stardom in the past
In another conversation, former racer Kenny Wallace shared how the big of a star NASCAR driver was in the 90s. He pointed out that in the peak years, Dale Sr. was bigger than the sport and had the power to dilactate how the fans behave.
Dale Sr. was bigger than NASCAR. You know there’s that old saying, ‘You’re never bigger than the sport,’ but I’ll tell you right now, Dale Sr. could’ve gone on TV and told everyone to stay home, and they would’ve. He was that big.
Kenny Wallace said.
The comments from Kenny Wallace shows, how much star power NASCAR is missing. If the star racer of current generation, Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott has the same level influence, the sport would have been in a much better place.
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Justin P Joy
(4895 Articles Published)