That’s certainly…a choice.
We’re less than a month away from the unofficial start of the NASCAR season, which kicks off with the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum on February 4.
It’s an exhibition race that’s only for bragging rights with no points awarded, which means that NASCAR always throws some gimmicks in there to try to keep fans watching.
Last year, the event included a mid-race performance from Wiz Khalifa during the break between stages, and despite Wiz maybe not being the best fit for NASCAR fans, it actually wasn’t terrible.
But NASCAR just announced the mid-race entertainment for this year’s Clash, and it’s left fans scratching their heads – and wondering just who’s in charge of making these decisions.
NASCAR announced yesterday that rapper Machine Gun Kelly would perform the mid-race concert at the Clash in a couple of weeks.
And it didn’t take long for fans to let them have it, with many accusing NASCAR of ignoring their fanbase:
Who thought it was a good idea to hire a guy who ritualistically drinks his wife’s blood?
— Aaron ™️ (@RkyMtnBETS) January 14, 2024
Seems like @nascar doesn’t have a clue who their fan base is anymore…
— TomahawkChop4Life (@Chop_Life_4theA) January 14, 2024
NASCAR is so out of the touch with the average nascar fan lol pushing for the new fans which aren’t guaranteed while also pushing away the old fans that were almost guaranteed is a hell of a business decision lol
— Justin Mathis (@Jmat1919) January 14, 2024
I have said it a million times, @NASCAR has completely forgotten their fan base, we dont want to hear that shit, why are we constantly ignored? Maybe some Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, or wait!!! You cant afford decent music? WTF NASCAR
— Tracy Parreco (@Tracyp0996) January 15, 2024
And Machine Gun Kelly’s no stranger to NASCAR, having attended races in the past in California. But you’ve got to admit, it seems like a strange fit for the NASCAR fanbase.
Of course NASCAR isn’t bringing in these names for their current fanbase: They’re doing it in hopes of reaching new fans. But that seems like a bold strategy, because I’m not sure how many people are going to tune in or buy a ticket based on a 5-minute performance from Machine Gun Kelly during the race.
And last year, NASCAR seemed to garner plenty of excitement with their lineup of names like Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett, both names that would seem to more closely align with their fanbase, during the Chicago street race weekend. (Of course those performances were ultimately canceled due to weather).
Either way, it’s clear that NASCAR has an eye towards attracting new, younger fans to the sport – and fans aren’t confident that it’s a winning strategy.
