Former driver says NASCAR lost Southern fans after empty seats at Bristol race

A former NASCAR driver warned that the sport is losing its southern fan base after observing roughly 100,000 empty seats at Bristol Motor Speedway during last Sunday’s race, which Ty Gibbs won.

The criticism matters because NASCAR has long marketed itself as the "South’s sport," and a decline in attendance or viewership could affect sponsorship, media contracts and future track expansions. If fans in the region stay away, the series may need to rethink its product and outreach.

The former driver, who asked to remain unnamed, said, "If the \"World's Fastest Half Mile\" can't out draw a Sunday at Augusta, then NASCAR has officially lost the south." Said, "It looked like a COVID era race out there." The comments were made in an interview with Fox News' Outkick Sports outlet.

According to the driver’s observation, about 100,000 seats were empty at the 0.533‑mile concrete oval, a figure reported by the Fox News article ^[1]. The race’s television audience was also modest; the event averaged 1.945 million viewers on FS1, per an MSN Motorsports report ^[2]. Both metrics suggest a dip from the series’ historical peaks.

NASCAR’s roots trace back to the 1940s in the southeastern U.S., and its early growth was fueled by regional tracks and fans. In recent years, the organization has expanded to new markets and introduced schedule changes, sparking debate among longtime supporters. The driver’s remarks echo concerns voiced by other former competitors who say the sport’s shift toward a national audience may alienate its core base.

**What this means** – The attendance and viewership figures highlight a potential challenge for NASCAR as it balances national growth with regional loyalty. If the trend continues, the series could face pressure to adjust its marketing, race formats, or venue selections to re‑engage southern fans while still pursuing broader appeal.