Stock car racing has changed dramatically over the years, from the way teams prepare for race weekends to how they transport their cars. While enclosed haulers have become the norm, FOX Sports broadcaster Mike Joy believes NASCAR has lost something special in the process.

Reacting to a post on X in which a race car can be seen being hauled on an open trailer, Joy argued that bringing back the old tradition could help introduce more people to the sport and inspire the next generation of fans.

“No kid in the back seat ever yelled, 'Hey Dad, that must be some load of furniture in that enclosed trailer! Much better kids should yell, 'Hey Dad... look at that race car! Can we go to the track tonight?'”

Joy's comments were in response to a post on X, which praised teams and racers using ramp trucks and open trailers to get to local racetracks.

He later recalled how he and New England Racing Fuel's John Holland, who is also Joy’s business partner, once rewarded teams that arrived with open haulers with a free fuel certificate.

According to Joy, seeing race cars on the road creates excitement that enclosed transporters simply cannot match. He even shared a fan's story about spotting a Kaulig Racing car on an open hauler on the way to Charlotte Motor Speedway, saying, “This is why.”

The fan explained that seeing the race car beside them on the highway convinced them to watch the race that weekend and that they had continued following NASCAR ever since.

Joy also shared a photo of how Connecticut's famous ‘Dodge Boys’ hauled their race cars to Riverside Park Speedway during the 1970s, comparing it to a modern-day open trailer and celebrating the tradition.

Open haulers were once a common sight in NASCAR

For decades, open trailers and ramp trucks were part of grassroots stock car racing. Fans travelling to local speedways could easily spot race cars on highways, often leading them to follow the transporter straight to the track.

As NASCAR grew into a national sport, teams gradually shifted to enclosed transporters. The change offered better protection for race cars that have become expensive over the years, along with protection for equipment and spare parts.

Additionally, the enclosed haulers also provide a workspace for mechanics during race weekends. 

With fan engagement also having shifted to digital platforms, content creation, and organized promotional events, race cars are seen far less often outside the racetrack than they were decades ago.

Joy's comments reflect the older philosophy of marketing the sport through everyday visibility. Rather than suggesting teams abandon enclosed transporters, he argued that simply seeing a race car on the highway can spark curiosity in people who otherwise may never think about attending a race.

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason