"They have half the grandstands": Kenny Wallace delivers straightforward take on NASCAR's decline amid surging TV viewership

Kenny Wallace believes NASCAR isn’t what it used to be. Even though thousands of fans show up every weekend, Wallace thinks that the sport doesn’t need them to be at the grandstands anymore.

This is perhaps because of the new media deal that NASCAR has struck with FOX, NBC, Amazon, and TNT Sports, which is reportedly worth $7.7 billion. It said that FOX would air 14 Cup races, down from its previous segment of 18.

NBC would also show 14 Cup races (down from 20) but lose the Xfinity package to The CW Network. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports were tapped to broadcast five mid-season races each, including their practice and qualifying sessions.

So, to give a reality check to the NASCAR aficionados, Kenny Wallace said on his YouTube channel (2:27):

“NASCAR is not as big as it used to be. They have half the grandstands. But now what? Because now TV is paying more money, we don't need you in the grandstands anymore. Because you're staying home and you're watching it on TV; that's the new societal shift that I'm talking about.”

The NASCAR Cup Series is now going through the five-race stretch that Prime Video is expected to televise this year. All eyes are on the Firekeepers Casino 400, which is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at Michigan International Speedway.

Following which, the series will fly to Mexico for its first point-paying race outside of the US since 1958. Named Viva Mexico 250, the 100-lap feature will be held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City, named after driver Ricardo Rodríguez, who died during practice for the 1962 Mexican GP.

Kenny Wallace sends a message to the NASCAR fans who are critical of the Gen 7 car

Since its inception in 2022, the Next Gen car has been criticized by fans. Some say the horsepower isn’t enough, while others find the balance to be off. But Kenny Wallace doesn’t think there is anything wrong with the car.

It’s how the fans find faults in the car all the time that makes it worse. Following this year’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway (which Kyle Larson won), Kenny Wallace called out everyone who seemed to be unhappy about the Gen 7 machine and said on his X account (0:27):

“Richard Petty says it was a great race, Jeff Gluck says it was a great race, and you guys are like, ‘Yeah, but there's still something wrong with the car.’ It's like, for f***’s sake, people. I mean, it's like you're trying to constantly talk about how negative the car is.”

“Have three good races in a row and three races in a row and you're going, 'Yeah, but the car's still no good.' This cliche is what I think works in this situation — get a f*****g life,” he added.

Kenny Wallace is a big name in NASCAR. He won nine races during his career in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Following his retirement in 2015, the St. Louis, Missouri native, joined FOX as a reporter and analyst. However, he left the network in 2018. Today, he maintains his presence in the sport by hosting several podcasts and pre-race shows.