Brad Keselowski’s desire to “rip” apart the NASCAR ladder system, facilitating easy access to not-so-experienced drivers, hints towards a deeper funding issue.

On The Dale Jr. Download podcast, while acknowledging the flaw in the system, he goes on to say, “I would do the exact same thing," without accusing or blaming anyone.

The conversation was initiated with Cleetus McFarland’s entry in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and its many criticisms. A YouTuber with a few million subscribers and a single Truck Series start was enough to make him eligible for the O’Reilly.

“The approval process as a whole is actually hurting the sport, and if I was president of NASCAR for a day...I would rip that thing up and start over,” said Keselowski on the podcast.

He believes that the Xfinity and the Truck series are “way too open” in terms of access to amateur drivers. The money is the problem, according to Keselowski.

“I think another flaw in the whole system… is that these teams need to make money, and so if someone can come in there and offer sponsors or whatever," said co-host TJ Majors.

"If the money wasn’t such a high demand than the teams, then they’re gonna get the talented drivers first, not the one that’s bringing in more money and sponsors.”

“Bought for Ride” is the new normal now

The concept of ‘pay to ride’ drivers already existed, but it increased dramatically in a few decades. The races are now less about trophies and more about the money.

With figures like Cleetus McFarland, even Kyle Petty agrees that RCR made a “good business deal" by signing a deal with the YouTuber.

The list just doesn’t end there. With figures like Riley Herbst and Cole Custer, the favoritism over "pure" talents is very evident. Herbst, for instance, even after having full backing from Monster Energy for years, was able to pull off just three wins in 176 Xfinity races.

In fact, Denny Hamlin, whose 23XI team backed Herbst, stated after watching Kyle Larson’s easy victory in the Xfinity series, “The problem with Xfinity is that it’s 90% pay drivers.”

For fans, it’s just frustrating, but for the game, it’s harmful, and the effects are simply evident on the track. It is detrimental to the game itself. They need to find a way to deal with this “bought for a ride" epidemic, or it might just take down the game with it.

Written by

Somadhand Das

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi