Mark Martin Exposes NASCAR Next-Gen Cars’ “Aesthetics Issues”

Hall of Famer Mark Martin believes the less aesthetic Next-Gen car is costing NASCAR the opportunity to tap into the young demographic.

Mark Martin Exposes NASCAR Next-Gen Cars’ “Aesthetics Issues”

Mark Martin (Via IMAGO)

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One of the major issues NASCAR is facing at the moment is it’s aging fanbase. The sport is finding it hard to break into the young demographic market, with the competition from Formula One making it much harder than before. Hall of Famer Mark Martin knows one significance issue that is holding the sport back.

On his appearance in “The State Of NASCAR” show of ex-racer Kenny Wallace’s YouTube channel, he highlighted a major issue with Next-Gen car that needs immediate attention. Mark Martin pointed out that the aesthetics of the current cars no longer have the wow-factor it once used to be. The looks of the vehicle can attract the attention of a young kid, compared to good racing.  

The aesthetics of these race cars are more important than people think. When you used to see a race car as a young kid, you’d be like, “Oh my god.” I don’t think people look at these cars now and say that.

Mark Martin said via Kenny Wallace’s YouTube channel.

The veteran highlighted that though the major issue with the Next-Gen car is its design flows that makes racing boring, looks also matters. The aero and other flows of the cars take time as well as more resources to fix. But fixing the aesthetics will be easy and will only take minimal investment by the teams. The veteran does have good point regarding the paint schemes.

It could be so easy. People say, “Well, no, the car doesn’t race well.” I’m not talking about that. That’s a hard thing to fix. How the cars race is difficult. It’s easy to fix the looks of this car.

Mark Martins added.

Mark Martin urges NASCAR to pick tradition over entertainment

In the same interview, the legendary racer shared his thoughts on the playoffs format debate and highlighted the need to embrace the tradition of the sport. He asserted that legitimacy of the championship shouldn’t be sacrificed for the sake entertainment.

Mark Martin
Mark Martin (Via IMAGO)

Tradition matters, it truly matters, and it’s starting to rear its head in NASCAR that people are saying, ‘I take tradition and legitimacy over entertainment.’

Mark Martin said.

Talking about the same topic in the show, Martin pointed with NASCAR announced potential format changes for 2026, he wants a return to the legacy format.  A 36-race format, with the point system changed appropriately.

I am all in with 36. I think we need to debate how you award the points. That’s a debatable subject, but first you have to say, ‘Yes. We’re going to go with a full season.

Mark Martin asserted.

But everyone in the community knows it won’t happen and the new format will be a variation of the current playoffs. For the veteran the only other acceptable format is the 10-race chase format and not the reported 3-3-4 format.

However, I know we’re almost positive we can’t get NASCAR to do that. And so, I could get behind a 10-race chase format as a compromise, nothing less. If they come with this 3-3-4 business, it’s not going to resonate with the fans.

Mark Martin added.

The comments from the veteran seems rational and something the sport needs to give attention to. Changing it back to the 10-race format will help to keep it more legitimate while not sacrificing the entertainment factor of playoffs.

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