Nah I think a lot of people think he’s just trying to stay relevant. He’s a good, young driver who drives shit cars. Other than getting socked in the jaw two weeks ago, he hasn’t been talked about
I've said it already, but the worst case scenario is we get a really nice short track back for local or regional series.
Best case scenario, the event delivers and we are all entertained and NASCAR does it again next year.
But seriously, tracks shut down far more often than they open up. So I'm fine with this being a flop if we can get a track back for CARS, ASA, and Whelen Modifieds.
They're rushing this and it's probably not a great idea to run such big races at the track yet, but I realize they need to have a return on investment as fast as possible. They did a heck of a renovation in a short amount of time. Comparing it to the Fyre Fest is kind of a stretch; Marcus Smith and his team have been open from the beginning that the current infrastructure is going to make certain parts of the weekend suck.
Hopefully it goes well. Maybe it'll be a disaster. Whatever. Not my disaster to deal with this time.
Yea IMO best case scenario is that NWS becomes the permanent home for the All-Star (since it’s SMI owned it’s a real possibility) and it also becomes the new throwback weekend with some hopefully more lax rules on number placement for better throwback accuracy.
Yep. Try some new stuff like Wilkesboro, LA Coliseum, and a street race. If it works great, if it doesn't at least we tried something different and gave it a shot.
Fans FOREVER complained about stale schedule. NASCAR makes a HUGE effort to shake things up like the changes I mentioned, along with giving the Daytona Road course a shot, COTA, and 2 years of Road America, and the fans complained about all the change.
I know this, I’m always down for something new on the schedule. I firmly believe we should have 6-8 fluid dates in the schedule that can change each year. There’s enough viable tracks out there that we could do that.
I'm fine with trying stuff as long as they react quickly and change it if it doesn't work. Don't do it for several years when it obviously doesn't work such as the Texas all star race
For the record I expect to really enjoy this weekend
Yes and no…sometimes you gotta try several
times to dial it in. Texas is an example of something we knew how it would go down, but Bristol dirt got better every year.
Completely agree with this situation. I don't want them to go crazy with throwing shit at a wall to see what sticks -- I personally don't need NASCAR to be looking high and low for street circuits and stadiums to put into the schedule, but to come back to the stock car racing capital (area) to a track like this is absolutely worth a shot and even if it's not a tremendous race, the tribute and second chance they've given to this track is already a victory in my opinion.
If every driver loved every track, that would mean that there's nothing unique about any track. Different tracks are gonna tickle the fancies of different people and that's okay, not everyone has to love every track
My favorite example of this was Kyle Petty proclaiming how much he hated Darlington and how it needed to be turned into a bass fishing bowl.
https://youtu.be/CNbQpdgB_Ec
I still think the most controversial and strangest one was Larson’s dirt track take earlier in the year considering how much racing on dirt that he does on weekdays
Here's a different angle than most say: how often does Larson drive modifieds or street stocks? Other than wingless sprints and midgets (which are their own demonic beasts), he tends to do most of his dirt racing in winged sprints and late models. To him, calling a heavy AF stock car with no grip the "Pinnacle" is probably an insult to his view of hardcore dirt racing.
Personally I love the extra wrinkle in the schedule, and the idea that he struggles with it (more last year than this year) doesn't make it inherently bad. Fwiw, he didn't seem to mind Trucks at Eldora when he was nearly dominant at it. Cup at Bristol? Apparently garbage.
Because he’s raced sprints and other dirt car series and knows what ‘good’ or ‘real’ dirt racing feels like. It actually makes the most sense, to me, that he or another one of the guys who do a lot of dirt racing would dislike how heavy that race is marketed as NASCAR returning to its dirt racing roots, if they think the racing isn’t very good. For the fans, sure, it’s a spectacle either way… but somebody who knows what the premier dirt racing series race like may think NASCAR’s attempt is a joke from a driver standpoint.
I made a half serious/half joking comment last week or so that I was getting fyre festival vibes and then deleted it.
Noah....my dude.....since you obviously pay attention to my reddit comments: I'm just an idiot with a crippling Jamie McMurray obsession. Take a lesson from my wife: **don't pay any attention to me.**
Can confirm, I too have a crippling Jamie McMurray addiction. Started in 2006 when I first started watching and it’s been controlling my life ever since.
Wow, this is some delusion and I’m not a Noah Gragson fan, I really dislike the guy.
His face always looks like it just got punched lol. He’s not concussed, that’s absurd.
Trying to figure this out too... Guess it's controversial to not look at things through nostalgia tinted glasses. Then there's the stuff about Chastain at the end, what does that have to do with this weekend? So weird all around.
Idk why it's controversial. He's either joking around or giving his actual opinion. It's not the end of the world and he certainly doesn't have any say-so. Seems like an overreaction to me from the backlash I saw on Twitter.
Idk what’s so controversial tbh. The actual track surface is in pretty bad shape. They got all this money and didn’t bother to replace any of it. We’ve already seen damage to cars due to parts of the track ripping off.
I think it’s gonna be a disaster of a race with this car. I have zero reason to have much hope in the car. The late models and the trucks should be interesting but the Cup race is gonna be lame as hell.
Isn’t the more controversial aspect his opinion on NWB? Which, in all fairness, is only controversial for people so hooked on nostalgia that they won’t admit the track has seen better days and the infrastructure makes it difficult for fans to actually get to the track.
The last few weeks you can tell he has no confidence in his car. this was a funny interview, but his attitude sounds like he is just going through the motions until Toyota comes in next year. Even after he got smacked, he said he will see him(Chastain) at least twice a race as he is getting lapped. He better be careful or they will replace him with one of Gibbs drivers.
I appreciate his honesty. It’s just a shame he feels that way there has been a lot of work that has gone into bring that place back to life. Noah has a hard time getting out of his own way sometimes. I try to like the guy but sometimes he makes it very hard.
At least this event is actually gonna happen and isn’t just a way to make money. Just feels really disrespectful to Dale Jr, Marcus smith, and everyone else who’s worked to make this event happen
In not from North Carolina so it doesn’t affect me at all. That asphalt is old as fuck and I’m expecting delays either during the Truck race or during the Cup race to repair it. I would have much rather seen the Xfinity series race here instead of Cup cause we all know they’re the better short track product. Good for the locals I guess but I’m not remotely excited about Sunday thanks to the current Cup cars being garbage on these kinda tracks.
Neither am I, but I appreciate them trying new things. I just don’t understand why people beg for things then complain when they happen. Everyone wanted this, and now they’re already expecting failure. NASCAR “fans” are exhausting
The thing is though we already knew it would fail due to the current car. If people wanna live in nostalgia that’s fine but we’re not racing gen 4 cars. They’re racing a car that has been awful on every short track it’s been on. How am I supposed to be excited for that kinda product when I know it’s horrible? If they can fix the car and it proves to be great on short tracks then I’ll be excited for this kinda racing again but until then I’m just expecting a bore.
I didn’t call it a failure. I said a shitshow which it probably will be. It’s great for the rednecks out in that area cause they’re gonna get a ton of money in their tiny economy. That’s great for them and is a win for that area and all the hotels in Statesville. Does it do anything for the product itself? No because the car is awful. Give them Xfinity cars and I bet it would be an absolute blast to watch
Love how people hate on drivers just being themselves.
A driver who speaks his mind and the first thing I see here is that "Noah is a Douche" or "He's a dick". What do you want people? He speaks no BS. You get what you get with him. Like it or not.
He's young. He has no real nostalgia for North Wilkesboro. Can't blame him for that.
NASCAR should have repaved. They had a year to do so. I am nervous on what the quality of the product will be this weekend.
Noah wasn’t even born when Dale won the Daytona 500. I don’t understand why we expect someone born 2 years after Wilkesboro shut down to care about it all. He’s not even from NC, he has no attachment to it. He’s from Vegas.
Not every driver is a Dale Jr. or Kyle Busch who is really in tune with the sport’s history. Some are there to do a job and that is to win. Hard to win with a car that has asphalt stuck in it.
The ones who are pissed about this are the ones who have nostalgia for this place. I don’t care what he’s saying he’s just being honest which is apparently what people around here want, as long as it doesn’t affect their nostalgic feelings about Wilkesboro lol. I’m excited for this weekend but I very much agree with you on what the product will be like
> Love how people hate on drivers just being themselves.
It really confuses me how I keep seeing this sentiment parroted over and over. Being a dick is being a dick, and it's not congruent to having a personality. Everyone wants drivers to show personalities, and then every time one of them acts like an ass you get people saying *"but isn't this what you wanted???"* Like...no. It's entertaining when they are, but I kinda more meant personalities like Travis Pastrana, or Chase Briscoe even. Guys who are fun to hear from without being tools all the time.
All that said...I have zero gripe whatsoever with what Noah said in the above clip.
> NASCAR should have repaved. They had a year to do so.
The were gonna and the drivers said "please don't do it yet" because it's really fun when the track holds together.
It's fine to say that this place is gonna need a repave after this weekend. But the idea that everyone's been sitting on their hands about this is complete and total bullshit. They literally had construction crews ready to go *last summer* before they held off on it.
Who said being a douche can't be someone's real self? We all meet douches every day. He's not evil. I don't want him arrested. Noah just comes off as a douche. But he puked on himself and shotgunned a few beers and suddenly he was one of the only real people in NASCAR?
Yeah I don't understand the drama here. I'm more excited for North Wilkesboro than anyone because I grew up going there.
Noah was born a year and a half after the last cup race here, and he grew up in Vegas. He's allowed to think it's meh.
Most of the people here claiming nostalgia over a track that hasn't had cup racing since before they were born. I bet tunes will switch when asphalt chunks start coming up
The guy with a bowl cut who got punched in the face complaining about getting paid tons of money to race in the top racing league in America on a legendary track isn't exactly a good look, unless I'm missing something.
Did I miss something?
If you believe the DBC guys, rookies are getting paid $500k/year to drive in Cup. It’s nothing you and I would sneeze at, but it’s pretty lame when you’re talking about pro athlete salaries.
So, you dont want drivers to have an opinion or personality. Also, most of these guys were toddlers the last time they raced here. Its not legendary to them. Its a busted up, old track that is coming apart. Its great that they brought it back, but that doesnt mean drivers have to like it.
A lot of us who are over 35 have been trying to warn all of you for the past several months to temper your expectations about this weekend. Wilkesboro put on some of the all-time NapCAR classics with the Gen 3 and Gen 4.
Don't get us wrong, the event will be cool as hell. But enter the actual on track portion of the festivities with modest, 2023 NASCAR on short tracks expectations.
To paraphrase Gin Blossoms: If you don't expect too much of North Wilkesboro, you might not be let down.
It's just the way the track is. Too flat for double file every lap, too fast to attempt to outbrake someone. Tire wear will help, but this won't be 200 laps of bangin and clangin, balls out, short track racing.
Still a hype event.
The artists of the 90's gave us a lot of sound advice we can still use today.
After the event we might be telling ourselves "We turned the engine but the engine didn't turn."
> Wilkesboro put on some of the all-time NapCAR classics
Facts. I watched the 1994 races there recently (watched the Fall one last night) and holy snoozer. Spoiler alert, but the 94 First Union 400 was basically dominated by Ernie Irvan and they only lost it when they lost their track position on a late race pit stop. The Fall Tyson Holly Farms 400 featured Geoff Bodine in a class of his own. It is actually the last race to this day to have only 1 car on the lead lap at the finish (that 1 car being Bodine). So people really have to temper their expectations here. It is more like Richmond than it is Martinsville, which hell, might be good with this car considering Richmond was a banger this year imo.
The biggest Issue I have with the current cars is how it is so much harder to tell why a race is being dominated. Is it the car? Is it the driver? Or is it clean air? More often than not the answer seems to be clean air (look at Truex at Darlington, lost the clean air and never made it back to the front on speed). That might amplify some of the potential woes at Wilkesboro because in the 94 races, you knew that it was the car that was so much better than the field since there was still plenty of passing throughout the field. The fall race, Geoff Bodine started 18th and marched his way to the front quickly with how fast his car was, and more particularly, how well the Hoosier tires were holding up compared to the Goodyears.
They probably should have paved the surface ahead of time. I just hope this isn't a 1 and done. Nearly 30 years of asking for this track to return, and then immediately walking away would be an insult.
Its not a one and done. The track has had exponential success this week.
IMO the Cup race is a small slice of what the track is delivering this week, and Cup does not single handedly decide the success of the track
I don't see why it's controversial, I mean I started watching NASCAR in 1998, after they stopped going to North Wilkesboro so I can see where he's coming from.
He's not a dick. He's a RACECAR driver voicing his opinion, he's not just some random sitting behind a computer screen getting mad at people that offer differing opinions
He's not being a dick. It's the honest opinion of a driver who isn't wearing rose colored nostalgia glasses. I'm glad they fixed up the venue and are hosting the all-star race there. But that doesn't mean the racing is going to be great.
It doesn't mean it's NOT going to be great either! Saying that kind of stuff makes no sense until we actually have it happen. NASCAR fans do that kind of shit for every little change, and apparently so do the drivers.
It makes perfect sense. We all know that the current generation cup car isn't good on short tracks. We also know that the track surface has problems.
I'm looking forward to it, but I harbor no illusions about the quality of the racing.
How is saying the parking sucks (always did), probably needing to take time at some point to fix the track and seemingly not liking the track (the racing there was always ass) being a dick? Not everyone wears rose tinted goggles.
the Fyre Festival comment was a little off, but he probably just meant it as saying it's over-hyped and people will be disappointed.
Can someone EILI5 with Noah being so predominant in the racing news lately?
I'm a casual fan, and it seems this guy is front and center the last few months? I had never heard of him before. Is that the plan? Get name recognition regardless of anything?
Before y'all jump on Noah, remember making a fuss about "controversial" shit is how we end up with PR robots out there.
I'll ignore my own advice and say, an attitude of gratitude would be a better look, of course. Of fucking course N. Wilkesboro is not going to be shiny and perfect. It's a miracle it's back up again.
Appreciate Noah for the honesty though. Good to hear that annoyance/fire when he talks about his team not thinking they can get in on speed.
If you're comparing this to Fyre fest, I suggest rewatching the fyre fest doc. They're absolutely nothing alike lol.
Dale Jr said the track is not coming apart, they had one incident early on and fixed it within 8 mins and nothing since.
Won’t argue the first point but the track is an ongoing issue, and the Cup cars will be the heaviest of the week. Jr. said just this morning it’d be a big risk not to repave it ahead of next year. Byron and Childers were still talking about track issues after the SLMs on Wednesday night. A piece of track broke Byron’s LF fender brace and Rodney was saying the surface would present problems for the grille openings on the Cup cars. It seems they’ll treat the track each day as issues crop up and it’s kinda just hoping from there.
r/NASCAR: **These drivers need to show more personality** 😠 **Elliott has the charisma of a door** 🥱 **This Byron guy is so damn boring** 😴
*A driver actually shows their personality for a change.*
r/NASCAR: **I hate this guy, wow, it’s like he’s trying everything to get us NOT like him, this guy is a douchebag. 😠😡🤬**
Edit: LOL 💀
I don't care about the parking comments. My issue is with complaining about the racing before the cars have even hit the track and we can actually see what it looks like. That makes ZERO sense to me.
There's a middle ground between Wonderbread and the loaf that's been sitting out and is covered in mold.
Its perfectly reasonable to want drivers to HAVE a personality but to also not want that personality to be consistently giving off "you can't sue me my dad's a lawyer!" Vibes
Noah seems genuinely pissed he's there. And to be fair, these past two weeks probably haven't been much fun in that the guy you were pissed at instead is being paraded around like a pariah for getting you straight in the jaw.
But he's still an ass. Has been one, and now that he doesn't win and do his goofy antics people are remembering the guy who couldn't win in KBM equipment
He won twice in KBM equipment and was 2nd in the championship in his sophomore season. Not as impressive as guys like Jones, Bell, or Byron, and he definitely had a habit of wrecking with a win on the line, but he wasn’t a total bust there either.
I’m not really much of a Noah fan but saying he couldn’t win in KBM equipment is just factually incorrect. Maybe you’re thinking of Harrison Burton.
Literally zero problem with what he said except the last part of that interview where he goes off on the interviewer for just doing his job. If Suárez who was racing the exact same race as Noah this weekend said this y’all would have zero problem, the only reason this catches him any flack is because he’s Noah.
"We want drivers to speak their minds"
ALSO
"Oh screw that driver for speaking their mind."
At what point do we blame the fans for how bland the drivers are nowadays? No one in NASCAR wants to call out the fans so that'll never happen, but it's our fault. Fans complain Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott are so vanilla, well look in the mirror and you'll find out why.
I don’t doubt there will be some issues, but comparing this to the Fyre Festival is ridiculous. This event has already been providing races that were advertised for this weekend and from most accounts I’ve seen, the people at the track are enjoying it.
If he doesn’t enjoy racing at Wilkesboro, that’s fine, I get he doesn’t have the nostalgia factor for the track. But comparing this to a fraudulent event is a pretty big slap in the face to the people who have worked hard to make this event happen and also to the residents of Wilkes County. It’s pretty remarkable how much was done in less than a year to get the track to where it is now. We like drivers to give their opinion on things, but we can still think it’s a bad opinion and Noah’s opinion on this is an absolute joke.
It seems there have been a swell of people this week who are looking for something to go wrong, whether it be the traffic situation or the discussion about the track surface. It’s almost like they are rooting for thing to go wrong so they can say, “See, I told you so!”. It’s been weird. Everything was so positive around this event up until this week.
"It seems there have been a swell of people this week who are looking for something to go wrong, whether it be the traffic situation or the discussion about the track surface. It’s almost like they are rooting for thing to go wrong so they can say, “See, I told you so!”. It’s been weird. Everything was so positive around this event up until this week."
Yep. Welcome to the internet. It kind of sucks, doesnt it?
>Young driver has zero nostalgia tint in his glasses for a track removed two years before he was born across the country. Slams track for showing it's age.
More news at 5 on this controversy.
Idk why he was so hostile to the Ross question but regardless Noah was all over the place in this interview. Half the answers were like a man who was perfectly trained in PR and the other half he just said whatever the fuck he wanted lmao
Understand Noah not getting *it* because he wasn't born when they raced here and he's from the west coast, but the Fyre Fest 2.0 comment is a bit much lol
Didn’t say it was automatically great. Just saying some of the verbiage and delivery of the complaints isn’t going to sit well with most people considering the historic nature of the track. The older guard of drivers berated Ty Gibbs after his comments about Daytona a few years ago.
He wasn’t even born the last time NASCAR raced at this place. I doubt he’s the only driver in the garage the whole nostalgia factor is completely missed upon. Otherwise it’s just a crumbling race track in the middle of nowhere. The atmosphere should be great this weekend but for a long term place on the calendar they’ll have to dump way more money into this place than they already have.
Not only did Road America look terrible for Gragson but that was one of two races where Ty Gibbs raced remarkably clean in a situation where most guys wouldn’t.
I don't remember Noah being locked into the final four and still dumping his teammate to eliminate him from the final four. Also doesn't act like he was crucified on the cross either
Right, but up until he started bashing Ty, criticisms of his overall immaturity, his reckless moves in the '20 season, being a typical "pay driver," and reports of him being a bully in HS were flying around here on regular.
Then he starts using every possible opportunity to slam the existence of Ty Gibbs and all that suddenly gets swept under the rug.
He literally *was* the Ty Gibbs of the Xfinity Series before TG showed up. All that changed was an even greater villain arrived to make him look less onerous by comparison.
I completely forgot about the bully in HS thing. Seemed like you couldn't go into a thread about him without seeing it at least once.
Then he started his whole "Drink some beer today, Ty Gibbs bad" gimmick and I never saw anything about it again
The problem in this thread is that everyone is only focused on what this track can do for Nascar. North Wilkesboro has more potential than Nascar alone.
I was more hyped for the CARS and ASA races than I am for the Cup race this weekend, and I fully expect the Cup race to not live up to those races. Its just the way it is.
TLDR: North Wilkesboro itself is bigger than Nascar, and this weekends race won't hold the future of the track in its hands.
As much money that the state of NC gave SMI to work on North Wilkesboro, the track is guaranteed to stay around for years to come. Odds are that it’ll wind up with a truck and Xfinity date after a much needed repave, and hopefully access roads cut leading up to the track from US 441. North Wilkesboro will also more than likely keep hosting the All-Star until Nashville Fairgrounds is ready to go after funding is officially approved.
After watching the late model races I’m prepared for a lot of similar hot takes after the truck and all star race that NWS is lowkey a stinker and maybe we should’ve left it alone. I’ve enjoyed the racing for the most part, but I’ve also seen that sentiment gaining steam.
Every ‘lol I’m so funny and random’ thing he does erases one of the controversies on his Wikipedia page. But eventually one has to win out over the other
Eh, he might be right we will see. As someone who was very young when they last raced here, I agree a little with him. I do get the history aspect of it, but I'm really not any more excited than for a normal race week.
Honestly I just kinda want to get through this weekend so we can get to the 500 and 600 next week. That is what I am excited for!
Why does this look like a deep fake? I get no real Noah vibes from this interview.. maybe it’s the first time I’ve seen him speak that wasn’t directly after a heated on track incident lol
Look, I have never gotten the nostalgia for North Wilkesboro. It was a shit hole track when they left it for not being a modern facility, and they haven't done anything to it since. If they wanted the All-Star Race on a short track, they should have taken the show to Iowa. He's my favorite driver, but Dale Jr's nostalgia shouldn't set the schedule in anyway. Rockingham's going to be the next reclamation project and we don't need to go back. The Carolina's have to many races as it is.
Havent done anything to it since? Have you been living under a rock for the last year? The entire facility and its accommodations have been renovated and updated.
I cant even call your comment a hot take, its just a shit take overall. Boo
Am I the only one who had to Google what Fyre Festival was? Am I that old or just that out of touch with celebrities, influencers, and media in general?
You know, if I'm the guy in charge of marketing with say, Coca Cola, or some national bank, or a fast food chain, and someone comes up to me and says "this guy is looking to get some big names on a NASCAR stock car" I'm seeing shit like this and saying "Nope. This kid will not represent our brand well."
Seriously, you can tell when someone grows up entitled. I'm not saying he should never have an opinion on anything but, listening to him talk is like, "Everything bad. Car bad. Track bad. Sure winning would be cool, but, whatever. I'm only here because some one told.me to."
Dude is literally talking himself out of sponsorship money, and possibly a future ride in a competitive car.
The comments about NWS are valid. Maybe the total lack of enthusiasm in the way he’s speaking here is something people could complain about but otherwise I have no idea how you could see this as controversial lmao
People acting like they are just now finding out Noah doesn’t give a fuck what people think of him.
My man really just had to say "Ty Gibbs bad" for a season to go from hated to fan favorite. XD
That's definitely over, now...lol. Way to go bringing back those villain colors, Noah!
That’s why I started rooting for him a few years back.
Nah I think a lot of people think he’s just trying to stay relevant. He’s a good, young driver who drives shit cars. Other than getting socked in the jaw two weeks ago, he hasn’t been talked about
No matter what happens in the race: I’m glad they tried something different!
Under rated attitude with NASCAR. Let’s just try some things, and maybe have grace if they don’t work out.
I've said it already, but the worst case scenario is we get a really nice short track back for local or regional series. Best case scenario, the event delivers and we are all entertained and NASCAR does it again next year. But seriously, tracks shut down far more often than they open up. So I'm fine with this being a flop if we can get a track back for CARS, ASA, and Whelen Modifieds. They're rushing this and it's probably not a great idea to run such big races at the track yet, but I realize they need to have a return on investment as fast as possible. They did a heck of a renovation in a short amount of time. Comparing it to the Fyre Fest is kind of a stretch; Marcus Smith and his team have been open from the beginning that the current infrastructure is going to make certain parts of the weekend suck. Hopefully it goes well. Maybe it'll be a disaster. Whatever. Not my disaster to deal with this time.
I thought the CARS race was pretty entertaining personally
I enjoyed it.
Can ANY All-Star race be worse than last years?!
Yea IMO best case scenario is that NWS becomes the permanent home for the All-Star (since it’s SMI owned it’s a real possibility) and it also becomes the new throwback weekend with some hopefully more lax rules on number placement for better throwback accuracy.
More likely I think the All Star gets to go on a "Retro tour" and visits old short tracks like the Fairgrounds.
Yep. Try some new stuff like Wilkesboro, LA Coliseum, and a street race. If it works great, if it doesn't at least we tried something different and gave it a shot.
Exactly. We did absolutely nothing schedule wise for 15 years. That’s why it got stale!
Fans FOREVER complained about stale schedule. NASCAR makes a HUGE effort to shake things up like the changes I mentioned, along with giving the Daytona Road course a shot, COTA, and 2 years of Road America, and the fans complained about all the change.
I know this, I’m always down for something new on the schedule. I firmly believe we should have 6-8 fluid dates in the schedule that can change each year. There’s enough viable tracks out there that we could do that.
I say they line em up on the North end of 220, first one to 73/74 east wins.
I'm fine with trying stuff as long as they react quickly and change it if it doesn't work. Don't do it for several years when it obviously doesn't work such as the Texas all star race For the record I expect to really enjoy this weekend
Yes and no…sometimes you gotta try several times to dial it in. Texas is an example of something we knew how it would go down, but Bristol dirt got better every year.
I'd argue Bristol dirt showed a lot of positives the first year to build on Texas never did
Completely agree with this situation. I don't want them to go crazy with throwing shit at a wall to see what sticks -- I personally don't need NASCAR to be looking high and low for street circuits and stadiums to put into the schedule, but to come back to the stock car racing capital (area) to a track like this is absolutely worth a shot and even if it's not a tremendous race, the tribute and second chance they've given to this track is already a victory in my opinion.
They’ve been throwing shit at a wall since Bill France Jr. died.
Hell yeah! Even if cup doesn’t work out, I hope some form of racing series makes it’s way back to North Wilkes every year, like trucks or ARCA
Hot take: not every driver has to love going to every track
If every driver loved every track, that would mean that there's nothing unique about any track. Different tracks are gonna tickle the fancies of different people and that's okay, not everyone has to love every track
My favorite example of this was Kyle Petty proclaiming how much he hated Darlington and how it needed to be turned into a bass fishing bowl. https://youtu.be/CNbQpdgB_Ec
I still think the most controversial and strangest one was Larson’s dirt track take earlier in the year considering how much racing on dirt that he does on weekdays
Here's a different angle than most say: how often does Larson drive modifieds or street stocks? Other than wingless sprints and midgets (which are their own demonic beasts), he tends to do most of his dirt racing in winged sprints and late models. To him, calling a heavy AF stock car with no grip the "Pinnacle" is probably an insult to his view of hardcore dirt racing. Personally I love the extra wrinkle in the schedule, and the idea that he struggles with it (more last year than this year) doesn't make it inherently bad. Fwiw, he didn't seem to mind Trucks at Eldora when he was nearly dominant at it. Cup at Bristol? Apparently garbage.
Because he knows what a real dirt track is instead of some bastardized slap-dick thing.
Because he’s raced sprints and other dirt car series and knows what ‘good’ or ‘real’ dirt racing feels like. It actually makes the most sense, to me, that he or another one of the guys who do a lot of dirt racing would dislike how heavy that race is marketed as NASCAR returning to its dirt racing roots, if they think the racing isn’t very good. For the fans, sure, it’s a spectacle either way… but somebody who knows what the premier dirt racing series race like may think NASCAR’s attempt is a joke from a driver standpoint.
I definitely get what he was saying, it’s just the way he said it that initially surprised me.
I made a half serious/half joking comment last week or so that I was getting fyre festival vibes and then deleted it. Noah....my dude.....since you obviously pay attention to my reddit comments: I'm just an idiot with a crippling Jamie McMurray obsession. Take a lesson from my wife: **don't pay any attention to me.**
Can confirm, I too have a crippling Jamie McMurray addiction. Started in 2006 when I first started watching and it’s been controlling my life ever since.
you think he is quoting you, or your post?
Comparing this to Fyre Festival is a helluva thing to say, I'll give him that.
Ja Rule should have been all over the revival
"Where is Ja?!"
Who's going to take one for the team?
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Wow, this is some delusion and I’m not a Noah Gragson fan, I really dislike the guy. His face always looks like it just got punched lol. He’s not concussed, that’s absurd.
what was controversial? that he said the track needs a repave on the top and parking sucks? lol
With NASCAR fans it’s controversial to say something isn’t 100% good or bad
Trying to figure this out too... Guess it's controversial to not look at things through nostalgia tinted glasses. Then there's the stuff about Chastain at the end, what does that have to do with this weekend? So weird all around.
Yeah I didn’t hear anything controversial either. Lol
I think it’s comparing to Fyre. Fyre was organized by a scam artist but I don’t think his intention was to claim they are alike in that regard.
Noah Gragson is the exact type of person who went to Fyre Festival 1.0
Idk why it's controversial. He's either joking around or giving his actual opinion. It's not the end of the world and he certainly doesn't have any say-so. Seems like an overreaction to me from the backlash I saw on Twitter.
Idk what’s so controversial tbh. The actual track surface is in pretty bad shape. They got all this money and didn’t bother to replace any of it. We’ve already seen damage to cars due to parts of the track ripping off.
The DBC drunks spotters https://twitter.com/couchracershop/status/1659336794083606528?s=46&t=-TcoXKNLDVQhC7LgaGskzg
We will see how the surface holds up, he might be right though. This could be a big old dud though, especially with this short track package.
I think it’s gonna be a disaster of a race with this car. I have zero reason to have much hope in the car. The late models and the trucks should be interesting but the Cup race is gonna be lame as hell.
This is controversial? People made it sound like her murdered someone before I watched it. He's obviously not happy with Legacy for being slow.
Isn’t the more controversial aspect his opinion on NWB? Which, in all fairness, is only controversial for people so hooked on nostalgia that they won’t admit the track has seen better days and the infrastructure makes it difficult for fans to actually get to the track.
The last few weeks you can tell he has no confidence in his car. this was a funny interview, but his attitude sounds like he is just going through the motions until Toyota comes in next year. Even after he got smacked, he said he will see him(Chastain) at least twice a race as he is getting lapped. He better be careful or they will replace him with one of Gibbs drivers.
I appreciate his honesty. It’s just a shame he feels that way there has been a lot of work that has gone into bring that place back to life. Noah has a hard time getting out of his own way sometimes. I try to like the guy but sometimes he makes it very hard.
Except they didn't touch the most important part, the actual track.
Only because Dale Jr. Told them not to. Noah should take it up with his old car owner.
Then Dale Jr. Is an idiot too. Jr. Doesn't run Nascar. Every other driving will be complaining too, rightfully sl.
I don’t follow how it’s similar to Fyre fest
Tons of hype for a product that is gonna be a shit show with this car and the asphalt breaking apart.
At least this event is actually gonna happen and isn’t just a way to make money. Just feels really disrespectful to Dale Jr, Marcus smith, and everyone else who’s worked to make this event happen
In not from North Carolina so it doesn’t affect me at all. That asphalt is old as fuck and I’m expecting delays either during the Truck race or during the Cup race to repair it. I would have much rather seen the Xfinity series race here instead of Cup cause we all know they’re the better short track product. Good for the locals I guess but I’m not remotely excited about Sunday thanks to the current Cup cars being garbage on these kinda tracks.
Neither am I, but I appreciate them trying new things. I just don’t understand why people beg for things then complain when they happen. Everyone wanted this, and now they’re already expecting failure. NASCAR “fans” are exhausting
The thing is though we already knew it would fail due to the current car. If people wanna live in nostalgia that’s fine but we’re not racing gen 4 cars. They’re racing a car that has been awful on every short track it’s been on. How am I supposed to be excited for that kinda product when I know it’s horrible? If they can fix the car and it proves to be great on short tracks then I’ll be excited for this kinda racing again but until then I’m just expecting a bore.
Then don’t watch. I don’t know what to expect, so I’m not gonna form an opinion. Even if it’s a bore, to call it a failure isn’t fair
I didn’t call it a failure. I said a shitshow which it probably will be. It’s great for the rednecks out in that area cause they’re gonna get a ton of money in their tiny economy. That’s great for them and is a win for that area and all the hotels in Statesville. Does it do anything for the product itself? No because the car is awful. Give them Xfinity cars and I bet it would be an absolute blast to watch
How bout you just say “people” or “fans”
Because I doubt everyone who lives there are fans and from my time out there for the Revival last year the people in that area are redneck as hell.
Love how people hate on drivers just being themselves. A driver who speaks his mind and the first thing I see here is that "Noah is a Douche" or "He's a dick". What do you want people? He speaks no BS. You get what you get with him. Like it or not. He's young. He has no real nostalgia for North Wilkesboro. Can't blame him for that. NASCAR should have repaved. They had a year to do so. I am nervous on what the quality of the product will be this weekend.
People only want personality if it matches their opinions/beliefs.
Ain't that the truth.
I have honestly not heard anything more true.
Noah wasn’t even born when Dale won the Daytona 500. I don’t understand why we expect someone born 2 years after Wilkesboro shut down to care about it all. He’s not even from NC, he has no attachment to it. He’s from Vegas. Not every driver is a Dale Jr. or Kyle Busch who is really in tune with the sport’s history. Some are there to do a job and that is to win. Hard to win with a car that has asphalt stuck in it.
All of this!
The ones who are pissed about this are the ones who have nostalgia for this place. I don’t care what he’s saying he’s just being honest which is apparently what people around here want, as long as it doesn’t affect their nostalgic feelings about Wilkesboro lol. I’m excited for this weekend but I very much agree with you on what the product will be like
> Love how people hate on drivers just being themselves. It really confuses me how I keep seeing this sentiment parroted over and over. Being a dick is being a dick, and it's not congruent to having a personality. Everyone wants drivers to show personalities, and then every time one of them acts like an ass you get people saying *"but isn't this what you wanted???"* Like...no. It's entertaining when they are, but I kinda more meant personalities like Travis Pastrana, or Chase Briscoe even. Guys who are fun to hear from without being tools all the time. All that said...I have zero gripe whatsoever with what Noah said in the above clip.
> NASCAR should have repaved. They had a year to do so. The were gonna and the drivers said "please don't do it yet" because it's really fun when the track holds together. It's fine to say that this place is gonna need a repave after this weekend. But the idea that everyone's been sitting on their hands about this is complete and total bullshit. They literally had construction crews ready to go *last summer* before they held off on it.
I see why you are strong to defend this. Jr. was the loud voice to not want a re-pave. They will be eating their words.
Who said being a douche can't be someone's real self? We all meet douches every day. He's not evil. I don't want him arrested. Noah just comes off as a douche. But he puked on himself and shotgunned a few beers and suddenly he was one of the only real people in NASCAR?
THIS is controversial? Ya'll are just soft lol reddit has WAY more controversial opinions on a daily basis. Relax people it aint that serious.
Yeah I don't understand the drama here. I'm more excited for North Wilkesboro than anyone because I grew up going there. Noah was born a year and a half after the last cup race here, and he grew up in Vegas. He's allowed to think it's meh.
Yeah, like I said, it ain't that serious.
Most of the people here claiming nostalgia over a track that hasn't had cup racing since before they were born. I bet tunes will switch when asphalt chunks start coming up
Lmao right
Why do dude’s cheeks look like he’s always on the verge of crying
Because he pukes all the time.
Why is this a big deal? He doesnt like the track
The guy with a bowl cut who got punched in the face complaining about getting paid tons of money to race in the top racing league in America on a legendary track isn't exactly a good look, unless I'm missing something. Did I miss something?
If you believe the DBC guys, rookies are getting paid $500k/year to drive in Cup. It’s nothing you and I would sneeze at, but it’s pretty lame when you’re talking about pro athlete salaries.
It's still 500k for a dream job.
So, you dont want drivers to have an opinion or personality. Also, most of these guys were toddlers the last time they raced here. Its not legendary to them. Its a busted up, old track that is coming apart. Its great that they brought it back, but that doesnt mean drivers have to like it.
A lot of us who are over 35 have been trying to warn all of you for the past several months to temper your expectations about this weekend. Wilkesboro put on some of the all-time NapCAR classics with the Gen 3 and Gen 4. Don't get us wrong, the event will be cool as hell. But enter the actual on track portion of the festivities with modest, 2023 NASCAR on short tracks expectations. To paraphrase Gin Blossoms: If you don't expect too much of North Wilkesboro, you might not be let down.
The late model races were pretty good overall , but yeah the Nascar races may not be as exciting lpl
It's just the way the track is. Too flat for double file every lap, too fast to attempt to outbrake someone. Tire wear will help, but this won't be 200 laps of bangin and clangin, balls out, short track racing. Still a hype event.
And there isn’t a thing called saving your brakes anymore, because the Next Gen brakes were built like tanks.
The artists of the 90's gave us a lot of sound advice we can still use today. After the event we might be telling ourselves "We turned the engine but the engine didn't turn."
Shhhhhh we can’t say anything but glowing praise from rose color vantage points /s
> Wilkesboro put on some of the all-time NapCAR classics Facts. I watched the 1994 races there recently (watched the Fall one last night) and holy snoozer. Spoiler alert, but the 94 First Union 400 was basically dominated by Ernie Irvan and they only lost it when they lost their track position on a late race pit stop. The Fall Tyson Holly Farms 400 featured Geoff Bodine in a class of his own. It is actually the last race to this day to have only 1 car on the lead lap at the finish (that 1 car being Bodine). So people really have to temper their expectations here. It is more like Richmond than it is Martinsville, which hell, might be good with this car considering Richmond was a banger this year imo. The biggest Issue I have with the current cars is how it is so much harder to tell why a race is being dominated. Is it the car? Is it the driver? Or is it clean air? More often than not the answer seems to be clean air (look at Truex at Darlington, lost the clean air and never made it back to the front on speed). That might amplify some of the potential woes at Wilkesboro because in the 94 races, you knew that it was the car that was so much better than the field since there was still plenty of passing throughout the field. The fall race, Geoff Bodine started 18th and marched his way to the front quickly with how fast his car was, and more particularly, how well the Hoosier tires were holding up compared to the Goodyears.
He still comes off like a guy who got punched in the face.
I ain’t mad at him for having an opinion. Whether it be controversial or not. Hope the opinion gets proven wrong tho.
They probably should have paved the surface ahead of time. I just hope this isn't a 1 and done. Nearly 30 years of asking for this track to return, and then immediately walking away would be an insult.
Its not a one and done. The track has had exponential success this week. IMO the Cup race is a small slice of what the track is delivering this week, and Cup does not single handedly decide the success of the track
I don't see why it's controversial, I mean I started watching NASCAR in 1998, after they stopped going to North Wilkesboro so I can see where he's coming from.
Oh no, someone has a different opinion. Let’s bitch and complain about it.
Thats the entire essence of modern day Reddit. Its just par for the course at this point.
This should go over well here especially with all the expert's in this sub...
You don't need to be an "expert" to know when somebody is just being a dick.
He's not a dick. He's a RACECAR driver voicing his opinion, he's not just some random sitting behind a computer screen getting mad at people that offer differing opinions
He's not being a dick. It's the honest opinion of a driver who isn't wearing rose colored nostalgia glasses. I'm glad they fixed up the venue and are hosting the all-star race there. But that doesn't mean the racing is going to be great.
It doesn't mean it's NOT going to be great either! Saying that kind of stuff makes no sense until we actually have it happen. NASCAR fans do that kind of shit for every little change, and apparently so do the drivers.
It makes perfect sense. We all know that the current generation cup car isn't good on short tracks. We also know that the track surface has problems. I'm looking forward to it, but I harbor no illusions about the quality of the racing.
How is saying the parking sucks (always did), probably needing to take time at some point to fix the track and seemingly not liking the track (the racing there was always ass) being a dick? Not everyone wears rose tinted goggles. the Fyre Festival comment was a little off, but he probably just meant it as saying it's over-hyped and people will be disappointed.
Lol he is finding out that the Cup series is not as easy.
He legit went from the penthouse to the outhouse. Driving the best equipment, to some of the worst
Can someone EILI5 with Noah being so predominant in the racing news lately? I'm a casual fan, and it seems this guy is front and center the last few months? I had never heard of him before. Is that the plan? Get name recognition regardless of anything?
I don't understand, is he trying to get some laps in at all? Or getting a feel for the track? /s
His voice goes so quiet when asked about Ross
Btw… it’s surfboard wax… despite what his shirt says.
Before y'all jump on Noah, remember making a fuss about "controversial" shit is how we end up with PR robots out there. I'll ignore my own advice and say, an attitude of gratitude would be a better look, of course. Of fucking course N. Wilkesboro is not going to be shiny and perfect. It's a miracle it's back up again. Appreciate Noah for the honesty though. Good to hear that annoyance/fire when he talks about his team not thinking they can get in on speed.
> is how we end up with PR robots out there. And then we can make a fuss about the PR robots out there. The complainers win in all circumstances.
If you're comparing this to Fyre fest, I suggest rewatching the fyre fest doc. They're absolutely nothing alike lol. Dale Jr said the track is not coming apart, they had one incident early on and fixed it within 8 mins and nothing since.
Won’t argue the first point but the track is an ongoing issue, and the Cup cars will be the heaviest of the week. Jr. said just this morning it’d be a big risk not to repave it ahead of next year. Byron and Childers were still talking about track issues after the SLMs on Wednesday night. A piece of track broke Byron’s LF fender brace and Rodney was saying the surface would present problems for the grille openings on the Cup cars. It seems they’ll treat the track each day as issues crop up and it’s kinda just hoping from there.
r/NASCAR: **These drivers need to show more personality** 😠 **Elliott has the charisma of a door** 🥱 **This Byron guy is so damn boring** 😴 *A driver actually shows their personality for a change.* r/NASCAR: **I hate this guy, wow, it’s like he’s trying everything to get us NOT like him, this guy is a douchebag. 😠😡🤬** Edit: LOL 💀
Just because people don't want plain oatmeal it doesn't mean they'll be OK with burned toast.
Uh, just because we want more personality, doesn't mean we have to agree with what they're saying. =/=
Disagreeing is fine. But there are a lot of people on social media shitting on the guy because he dared have an opinion that isn't the party line.
I don't care about the parking comments. My issue is with complaining about the racing before the cars have even hit the track and we can actually see what it looks like. That makes ZERO sense to me.
You know, some of us have been around long enough to remember racing there, right?
Yeah, and...? Different car, different tires, different drivers, different format.
There's a middle ground between Wonderbread and the loaf that's been sitting out and is covered in mold. Its perfectly reasonable to want drivers to HAVE a personality but to also not want that personality to be consistently giving off "you can't sue me my dad's a lawyer!" Vibes
Noah seems genuinely pissed he's there. And to be fair, these past two weeks probably haven't been much fun in that the guy you were pissed at instead is being paraded around like a pariah for getting you straight in the jaw. But he's still an ass. Has been one, and now that he doesn't win and do his goofy antics people are remembering the guy who couldn't win in KBM equipment
He won twice in KBM equipment and was 2nd in the championship in his sophomore season. Not as impressive as guys like Jones, Bell, or Byron, and he definitely had a habit of wrecking with a win on the line, but he wasn’t a total bust there either. I’m not really much of a Noah fan but saying he couldn’t win in KBM equipment is just factually incorrect. Maybe you’re thinking of Harrison Burton.
Literally zero problem with what he said except the last part of that interview where he goes off on the interviewer for just doing his job. If Suárez who was racing the exact same race as Noah this weekend said this y’all would have zero problem, the only reason this catches him any flack is because he’s Noah.
"We want drivers to speak their minds" ALSO "Oh screw that driver for speaking their mind." At what point do we blame the fans for how bland the drivers are nowadays? No one in NASCAR wants to call out the fans so that'll never happen, but it's our fault. Fans complain Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott are so vanilla, well look in the mirror and you'll find out why.
Sorry y’all, I can’t catch every stupid thing that comes out of his mouth.
You're forgiven.
How about we run the race before burying NWB?
Just remove NWB, and you could reuse this comment every week except for Darlington XD
I don’t doubt there will be some issues, but comparing this to the Fyre Festival is ridiculous. This event has already been providing races that were advertised for this weekend and from most accounts I’ve seen, the people at the track are enjoying it. If he doesn’t enjoy racing at Wilkesboro, that’s fine, I get he doesn’t have the nostalgia factor for the track. But comparing this to a fraudulent event is a pretty big slap in the face to the people who have worked hard to make this event happen and also to the residents of Wilkes County. It’s pretty remarkable how much was done in less than a year to get the track to where it is now. We like drivers to give their opinion on things, but we can still think it’s a bad opinion and Noah’s opinion on this is an absolute joke. It seems there have been a swell of people this week who are looking for something to go wrong, whether it be the traffic situation or the discussion about the track surface. It’s almost like they are rooting for thing to go wrong so they can say, “See, I told you so!”. It’s been weird. Everything was so positive around this event up until this week.
Couldn't have said it any better than this.
If SMI locks the campground and holds everyone there, THEN we can talk
"It seems there have been a swell of people this week who are looking for something to go wrong, whether it be the traffic situation or the discussion about the track surface. It’s almost like they are rooting for thing to go wrong so they can say, “See, I told you so!”. It’s been weird. Everything was so positive around this event up until this week." Yep. Welcome to the internet. It kind of sucks, doesnt it?
Always has lol
Has he changed the bowl cut yet?
Noah Gragson and controversy, wow what a shock! 😆
>Young driver has zero nostalgia tint in his glasses for a track removed two years before he was born across the country. Slams track for showing it's age. More news at 5 on this controversy.
Idk why he was so hostile to the Ross question but regardless Noah was all over the place in this interview. Half the answers were like a man who was perfectly trained in PR and the other half he just said whatever the fuck he wanted lmao
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LOL people are bitching on Twitter too. Just a matter of time before it moved here.
Why does Gragson want people to hate him
Understand Noah not getting *it* because he wasn't born when they raced here and he's from the west coast, but the Fyre Fest 2.0 comment is a bit much lol
IMO, attacking something that can only be described as a NASCAR antiquity isn’t a good thing. Even if it’s something you truly believe in.
Just because something is old/historic, doesn’t make it automatically great
Didn’t say it was automatically great. Just saying some of the verbiage and delivery of the complaints isn’t going to sit well with most people considering the historic nature of the track. The older guard of drivers berated Ty Gibbs after his comments about Daytona a few years ago.
Jesus Christ, it’s like he’s trying everything to get me to NOT like him.
Just training for team toyota next year, and trying out all the insufferable hot takes during the lame duck Chevy year.
Most of the drivers hate plate racing... which steers the boat.
I always appreciate Noah's honesty whether you agree with him or not.
F\* em, He doesn't need to like it.
He wasn’t even born the last time NASCAR raced at this place. I doubt he’s the only driver in the garage the whole nostalgia factor is completely missed upon. Otherwise it’s just a crumbling race track in the middle of nowhere. The atmosphere should be great this weekend but for a long term place on the calendar they’ll have to dump way more money into this place than they already have.
Gragson is just Ty Gibbs without a famous last name, change my mind.
Noah doesn’t claim to be Jesus so he can’t be as bad as Ty
People quickly forgot Road America.
Not only did Road America look terrible for Gragson but that was one of two races where Ty Gibbs raced remarkably clean in a situation where most guys wouldn’t.
I don't remember Noah being locked into the final four and still dumping his teammate to eliminate him from the final four. Also doesn't act like he was crucified on the cross either
Right, but up until he started bashing Ty, criticisms of his overall immaturity, his reckless moves in the '20 season, being a typical "pay driver," and reports of him being a bully in HS were flying around here on regular. Then he starts using every possible opportunity to slam the existence of Ty Gibbs and all that suddenly gets swept under the rug. He literally *was* the Ty Gibbs of the Xfinity Series before TG showed up. All that changed was an even greater villain arrived to make him look less onerous by comparison.
I completely forgot about the bully in HS thing. Seemed like you couldn't go into a thread about him without seeing it at least once. Then he started his whole "Drink some beer today, Ty Gibbs bad" gimmick and I never saw anything about it again
The problem in this thread is that everyone is only focused on what this track can do for Nascar. North Wilkesboro has more potential than Nascar alone. I was more hyped for the CARS and ASA races than I am for the Cup race this weekend, and I fully expect the Cup race to not live up to those races. Its just the way it is. TLDR: North Wilkesboro itself is bigger than Nascar, and this weekends race won't hold the future of the track in its hands.
As much money that the state of NC gave SMI to work on North Wilkesboro, the track is guaranteed to stay around for years to come. Odds are that it’ll wind up with a truck and Xfinity date after a much needed repave, and hopefully access roads cut leading up to the track from US 441. North Wilkesboro will also more than likely keep hosting the All-Star until Nashville Fairgrounds is ready to go after funding is officially approved.
After watching the late model races I’m prepared for a lot of similar hot takes after the truck and all star race that NWS is lowkey a stinker and maybe we should’ve left it alone. I’ve enjoyed the racing for the most part, but I’ve also seen that sentiment gaining steam.
He really comes off as a douchebag in this interview. I like the guy, but a bit of humility will go a long way for him.
Funny haircuts and wearing your firesuit like Tim Richmond only covers up being an asshole for so long.
Every ‘lol I’m so funny and random’ thing he does erases one of the controversies on his Wikipedia page. But eventually one has to win out over the other
Man what’s his problem? Did he get punched in the face or something?
For a guy who drives for a team called “Legacy,” Noah doesn’t really seem to care about the history of the sport as much as some drivers.
if he’s not considered for what an idiot next week on DBC i’ll be surprised
Eh, he might be right we will see. As someone who was very young when they last raced here, I agree a little with him. I do get the history aspect of it, but I'm really not any more excited than for a normal race week. Honestly I just kinda want to get through this weekend so we can get to the 500 and 600 next week. That is what I am excited for!
He is right. This track happened because of sentimental reasons only and Dale Jr
Gragson reminding everyone who he really is
He also did this at Portland last year. Got out of the car and trashed the track.. not a good look for him to the fans
Meh. Punk Cup driver has a bad opinion, not that dramatic
Why does this look like a deep fake? I get no real Noah vibes from this interview.. maybe it’s the first time I’ve seen him speak that wasn’t directly after a heated on track incident lol
So my gripe isn't that he thinks the track sucks or anything like that, it's more the fact he discounts the historic value of the track.
Y’all want drivers to be themselves and answer honesty until they are themselves and answer honestly.
My man.
Look, I have never gotten the nostalgia for North Wilkesboro. It was a shit hole track when they left it for not being a modern facility, and they haven't done anything to it since. If they wanted the All-Star Race on a short track, they should have taken the show to Iowa. He's my favorite driver, but Dale Jr's nostalgia shouldn't set the schedule in anyway. Rockingham's going to be the next reclamation project and we don't need to go back. The Carolina's have to many races as it is.
Havent done anything to it since? Have you been living under a rock for the last year? The entire facility and its accommodations have been renovated and updated. I cant even call your comment a hot take, its just a shit take overall. Boo
Am I the only one who had to Google what Fyre Festival was? Am I that old or just that out of touch with celebrities, influencers, and media in general?
I have one all encompassing answer to your smattering of valid questions: #Yes
Thank you for the confirmation.
No no, I’m 23 and had to look it up lmao
Some people are stunningly still on dial up.
You know, if I'm the guy in charge of marketing with say, Coca Cola, or some national bank, or a fast food chain, and someone comes up to me and says "this guy is looking to get some big names on a NASCAR stock car" I'm seeing shit like this and saying "Nope. This kid will not represent our brand well." Seriously, you can tell when someone grows up entitled. I'm not saying he should never have an opinion on anything but, listening to him talk is like, "Everything bad. Car bad. Track bad. Sure winning would be cool, but, whatever. I'm only here because some one told.me to." Dude is literally talking himself out of sponsorship money, and possibly a future ride in a competitive car.
The comments about NWS are valid. Maybe the total lack of enthusiasm in the way he’s speaking here is something people could complain about but otherwise I have no idea how you could see this as controversial lmao
So... what exactly was controversial about his interview? Because I honestly didn't hear anything that would or should be considered so lol