Steve Phelps asserted NASCAR is “really encouraged by the direction that the sport” despite controversies

NASCAR president Steve Phelps seems to have a positive outlook on how everything going on in the stock car racing championships.

Steve Phelps asserted NASCAR is “really encouraged by the direction that the sport” despite controversies

Steve Phelps (Via IMAGO)

The 2024, just like the previous NASCAR Next-Gen era season has ended with controversy. Joey Logano won the championship, despite having some of the worst stat of any previous champions, by peaking at the right time in the playoffs. A significant portion of fans are furious with the playoff format and has demanded changes to the format.

The season also witnessed a lot of controversies around the car, over aggressive racing and inconsistent decision making from the race officials. But despite all this, NASCAR president Steve Phelps has a positive outlook about the current state of the sport as he believes they are really encouraged by the direction that the sport is going and is expecting to see really good storyline for the upcoming season.

YouTube video

I am actually not. I’m really encouraged by the direction that the sport is going. I think we are well positioned as we get into ’25 with new media partners, a great product on the racetrack, some really good storylines, and overall a healthy sport. So, to me, I’m sleeping very soundly.

Steve Phelps said via The Athletic.

Further talking about the point, Steve Phelps pointed out that his comments doesn’t mean the sports doesn’t need any changes. He believes there is a lot of opportunities domestically and internationally for them to explore.

Now, it doesn’t mean we don’t have things to do. We’ve got lots to do and there are lots of opportunities for us to grow, both domestically and internationally.

Steve Phelps added.

Steve Phelps stands by the new playoff format

One of the factors that was criticized the most this season was the playoff format. But according to Phelps, there is no need of massive change. He believes the current system gave the fans phenomenal racing and believes all three national series had successful playoffs, considering fans attendance and TV rating.  

NASCAR President Steve Phelps
NASCAR President Steve Phelps (Credits: Awful Announcing)

I’ll stand by the format because the format also gave us phenomenal racing. I don’t know how you’d suggest that it was anything other than it was just phenomenal. We had good attendance, (TV) ratings were plus-six. I would call our playoffs in all three national series successful.

Steve Phelps said.

The comments from the senior NASCAR official confirms that the playoff format is here to stay and isn’t going to be changed anytime soon. It will be interesting to see how the if they would consider making some minor tweaks to satisfy the racers and fans, who doesn’t like the current system.