Hailie Deegan claimed that NASCAR should cut down the number of races per year and even decrease the length of the races if they are to attract the young generation.
As a 20-year-old driver, Deegan’s words have some credibility because she would know better what would appeal to the young NASCAR fans. And especially for NASCAR, it is important that they increase their popularity among young people. Writing in her Twitter post, Deegan tweeted:
“Also in my opinion a lot of people don’t have 4 hours 36x a year to spend watching a race on tv.”
“Think about it. As a driver your not gonna sit and ride for half the race if the length is shorter. Nothing happens during most cup races till the last stage for that reason.”
“Also if you want younger fans to take interest, you have to keep in mind their attention span is shorter.”
Also in my opinion a lot of people don’t have 4 hours 36x a year to spend watching a race on tv.
— Hailie Deegan (@HailieDeegan) April 10, 2022
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But on the other side of the argument, the 36 races and the long races makes NASCAR what it is: it is what the fans are used to for now and a sport should not compromise its essential characteristics to just have the attention of young people with short attention span.
Many fans pointed out these factors in expressing their disagreement with Deegan.
Your in the wrong sport then. Truck races are so fast you have no time to make a mistake
— Frankie Dodd (@FrankieDodd412) April 10, 2022
You do realize baseball plays 162 games a year, pro basketball and hockey 82 + playoffs for these sports.
You think 36 nascar races is a lot?
— Ryan Smith (@PFF_RyanSmith) April 10, 2022
Yet they spend 4 times that long each week staring at their phones. People will make time for what they really want to do I believe. If races got shorter that would take alot of money from the sport imo
— bobby jones (@soonerr25) April 10, 2022
I wish they’d go back to 1pm start time. I understand that “no major sport starts at that time anymore.” But apparently the NFL hasn’t gotten that notice and look at their ratings. I’ve got about 5.5 hours in between church on Sunday and with the start time I get 1 stage and that
— Tyler Dilley (@tdilley1995) April 10, 2022
I’m a big fan of yours Hailie but I don’t like the thought of cutting races in half! I think we can shorten many for sure! Nascar was always being able to make the engines live thru the races and drivers being to endure them. Maybe many 500 milers could be 350 to 400 no less!
— Brian childs (@bman_childs) April 10, 2022
However, it should be noted that the number of races and the race lengths are not absolute factors. In fact, like all the sports, NASCAR has gone through revisions in the past and it will certainly in the future. Right now, the format may appeal to more people but it can certainly change in the future.