NASCAR Chief Executive Officer Steve O’Donnell sat in front of the media on Friday to deliver a ‘State of the Sport’ address and answer questions. As he wraps up his first season as CEO, O’Donnell expressed optimism about NASCAR’s growth and confidence in its technological direction moving forward.
Friday’s press conference was among the most significant of O’Donnell’s career to date for multiple reasons. This weekend marks the first championship event since he assumed the CEO title in April. It’s also O’Donnell’s first time holding such a broad address since the sport lost Kyle Busch in May.
“I think there’s a lot for the entire industry to be proud of,” O’Donnell said about the wider direction of NASCAR. “Our teams and drivers have given us terrific competition. Fans are coming out to the racetrack. New brands are investing in the sport like never before.”
The Next Gen Car
Some of the first few questions posed to O’Donnell were about the future of the Next Gen car in the NASCAR Cup Series. Now in its fifth year, the Next Gen car has sparked fan criticism for perceived difficulty to pass, imperfect aerodynamics, and a lack of horsepower.
“When we look at the facts, the facts say that short track racing in comparison to metrics over the last few years is at its highest level possibly from positivity from our fans,” O’Donnell said. “We are trending in a very positive direction. Does that mean everything is great and we’ve stopped doing anything? No. I think you’ve seen us make some significant changes. We’ll continue to do that.”
Part of what fuels O’Donnell’s confidence in the current racing product is a series of positive trends in fan attendance. On Friday he said admissions are up 5% overall, with attendance among kids 12 and under rising 12%. Furthermore, interest from fans ages 18 to 34 is at its highest since 2013, O’Donnell said.
The Chase Format
Also of note in 2026 is NASCAR’s return to the Chase format. In its initial form, the Chase decided champions from 2004 to 2013. The playoffs took over from 2014 to 2025, and this year the Cup Series championship is all but decided instead of having a four-man free-for-all as in years past. According to O’Donnell, NASCAR is satisfied with the format change but to open to feedback.
“Kyle Larson has gone on an historic run right now and deserves to be talked about,” O’Donnell said of the current runaway title picture. “[We’re] very satisfied but want to take some time and see how it plays out over this weekend and see what happens, but at least in my discussions with the garage area and the industry, people feel like directionally it has worked. But we want to talk to the fans as well and see what feedback we get.”
Driver Personalities
With the breakout and subsequent controversies of Carson Hocevar, a conversation has been reignited within NASCAR about the importance of competitors creating intrigue and entertainment. Though he’s largely deemed an emerging star, Hocevar season is ending on him missing the final race of the season after a brake-checking incident last week at Martinsville Speedway.
“Our job is to encourage drivers to be themselves,” O’Donnell said. “We talked about sponsorship. There is a balance there. We recognize that balance.” Within that balance, drivers being outspoken without repercussion seems to have struck a chord.
“I like what [Hocvevar] brings to the fan base in terms of going out, meeting with fans, talking,” O’Donnell continued. “Does he have some things to work on on track? Absolutely, and we’ve talked about that, and we all know where that stands today. But I think if you look at licensed merchandise, engagement, fans are really hungry to embrace a driver, to find their driver, and the more drivers we can have the fans say that’s my favorite driver, the better the sport will be.”
