Kenny Wallace explains how NASCAR pushes older drivers out of the sport

Kenny Wallace reveals the big difference in NASCAR’s advertising of veteran drivers in the lower-tiers of the sport.

Kenny Wallace explains how NASCAR pushes older drivers out of the sport

Kenny Wallace (Via IMAGO)

Ex-NASCAR driver and sports analyst Kenny Wallace has recently revealed how sport indirectly makes their older drivers out with certain decisions. He was alluding to the lack of advertisement in the veterans get in the Xfinity or Truck Series in an effort to advertise the future superstars of the sport who are still growing.

The irony of the situation is that despite the massive push, the older drivers often get recognized more by the fans in the most popular drivers’ awards. During the recent episode of the Kenny Wallace show, guest Elliott Sadler, an ex-Xfinity driver who had a similar career as Wallace revealed how he was forced out. Wallace responded to it by revealing he got the same treatment.

YouTube video
I called Mike Helton and I said, ‘Mike,’ I said, ‘I don’t see you using me anymore to advertise the Xfinity Series.’ There was this long pause, and our boss at that time, Mike Helton, he says, ‘Well basically, you’ve been there and you’ve done that.'And I thought to myself, ‘They’re done with me.’ You could keep racing but we’re done advertising you. We’re looking for the 22-year-olds
Wallace said via his YouTube channel.

Though he has run over 344 Cup races with teams such as RCR, Michael Waltrip Racing, and more, Kenny Wallace’s success came in the second division. He has won nine races from 647 starts. Wallace who started his career in 1988 in NASCAR with an Xfinity outing at Martinsville raced till 2015 in the series, with multiple full-time and part-time stints.

FS Video

How was Elliott Sadler pushed out of the Xfinity Series

Sadler detailed how he was given less support in terms of marketing by the sanctioning body as every year passed by. He said that despite his winning the Most Popular Driver award he was denied the chance to speak at the NASCAR awards and NASCAR preferred young drivers over him for ads despite him having a massive fan following.

NASCAR
Hermie Sadler and Elliott Sadler 
If I ever felt like being pushed out … I get that NASCAR and Xfinity and they’re trying to do all these promotions and they want all these young kids coming up, but the freaking fans, they love me.

Unlike Wallace, Sadler had a better Cup career. He won three races in the top tier from 438 starts. From 2011 he started competing full-time in the Xfinity Series and in 2018 he fought for the championship with the Giants, winning eight races. Sadler’s worst finish in these eight years was a P6 in the championship and he was a genuine contender in all the seasons, but couldn’t win the title.

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