It’s been a good time to be a racing fan in recent months. If you need proof of it, look at any of the races that took place on Memorial Day Sunday.
Fans of most popular forms of motorsport have been given cause for optimism lately.
Formula 1 has exploded in popularity with the rise of “Drive to Survive” on Netflix, improved social media presence in the Liberty Media era and the success of genuine mainstream celebrity Lewis Hamilton. The series has finally hit big in the United States with the Miami Grand Prix, has a Las Vegas trip coming next year and seemingly packs out the stands wherever it goes. F1 delivered the most dramatic championship battle in years last season and has provided enjoyable racing with its new car — save for porpoising concerns, anyways.
NASCAR’s Next Gen car has been a general success so far. While there are some fair concerns over flat tracks and dirty air, the cars have provided strong races at intermediate tracks that previously floundered. The sport has made strides for inclusion and diversity while also finding success with recent schedule shakeups like the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum and trips to road courses including Circuit of the Americas and Road America.
The NTT IndyCar Series only had 33 entrants for the Indy 500, but the standard field at other races has seen an increase in car counts. Arrivals of popular drivers from elsewhere like Supercars star Scott McLaughlin, F1 veteran Romain Grosjean and seven-time NASCAR Cup champ Jimmie Johnson has added extra intrigue, particularly this year with them all running the Indianapolis 500. The sport has also found young stars in Alex Palou, Colton Herta and Pato O’Ward, among others.
Dirt tracks have seen strong attendances and large purses. Sports car racing seems poised for a renaissance with IMSA and the FIA finding common ground. Car counts are up in tours like the ARCA Menards Series. Even asphalt late model racing, which has seemingly been stuck in…
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