NASCAR’s Identity Crisis Sparks Heated Debate
With the roar of their powerful engines, Joe Gibbs Racing kicked off its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series campaign with dominance. Despite a shake-up including Martin Truex Jr.’s retirement and the arrival of Chase Briscoe in the #19, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs delivered a scorching start.
On the other hand, Joe Gibbs has often highlighted the uniqueness of NASCAR’s approach. “Our sport is unlike any other sport in that they were on the car today for three and a half hours, and you don’t get that in other sports,” said Gibbs in a 2024 press conference.
But NASCAR’s relevance has become a hot issue in 2025 as ratings dip, its core fan base ages, and a younger audience shifts toward digital and alternative sports. The Pennzoil 400 race drew just 3.01 million viewers on FS1, a steep 31% drop from the previous year, as March Madness and NBA games dominated the airwaves.
Veteran broadcaster Mike Joy warned, “The fan base is getting older… We’re not attracting the younger fanbase that we need to move this sport forward.”
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JGR President Compares NASCAR to a Traveling Circus
In a recent interview with Racing America, JGR President Dave Alpern offered a uniquely reflective view of NASCAR’s essence. “At its core, I believe in what NASCAR is about,” said Alpern. “I love the idea that in our sport, the sponsor becomes the identity of the team. We’re not a patch on a jersey. The car becomes the actual identity of a brand.”
He cited iconic examples like Richard Petty’s STP car and Jeff Gordon’s rainbow-colored #24 for Dupont, symbols that defined eras.
“And we are the all-American racing series,” Alpern added. “I don’t care what anyone says. You look at the ratings. What are they watching? They’re watching NASCAR. I love that.”
Alpern emphasized fan access as a pillar of NASCAR’s identity. “I love the access. That part hasn’t changed… that’s what we’re about.”
However, he struck a controversial chord with one unusual analogy: “I tell people we’re a little bit more like a band than a pro sports team… We’re like a traveling circus.” The remark drew backlash from fans who saw it as undermining NASCAR’s credibility.
Still, Alpern remained focused on the mission: “We just want to win.”
Is NASCAR’s 2025 Cup Series Already Down to Two Teams?
JGR and Hendrick Motorsports have shaped the modern NASCAR Cup Series, combining for 19 championships and over 500 wins. But in 2025, their dominance has taken on a sharper edge, especially after Dover.
“We clearly see that the Hendrick Cars and the Gibbs Cars consistently are the top teams,” said Jeff Gluck on The Teardown podcast. With Chase Elliott now leading the standings and Hamlin close behind Kyle Larson, it’s shaping into a two-team war.
Dover was a statement: Elliott led 238 laps and won Stage 1. Bell took Stage 2, and Hamlin grabbed the checkered flag. The top six finishers? All JGR or HMS.
While Team Penske, 23XI, and Trackhouse flash potential, their wins have dried up. Even SVG’s road course brilliance hasn’t shaken the HMS-JGR hold. “I’m not feeling as confident about [other contenders]… HMS and JGR dominate the field,” added co-host Jordan Bianchi.
As Alpern made clear, the goal is simple, even if the future feels uncertain: win at all costs.
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