Kyle Busch believes ‘culture problem’ to blame for NASCAR popularity decline

What changed to make NASCAR go from its heights in the 1990s and 2000s to now? Kyle Busch has thoughts on the matter. Being a veteran in the sport now is a new and strange role for Busch. But his insights are not without merit.

Kyle Busch entered NASCAR right at the “beginning of the end.” If you want to call it that. During his career, viewership has gone down, sponsorship has gone down, and the sport has changed in a multitude of ways.

Speaking to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Rowdy was asked about what NASCAR needs to get back to that mainstream popularity. He isn’t sure there is a way to do it.

“That’s a tough one. I think it’s a culture problem — and I say that in regard to the world culture,” Kyle Busch said to Gluck. “In the ’80s and ’90s, you had a bunch of Hot Rod guys who were cool with souping up their 1970s, 1980s street rods. A lot of those guys are aged out. … I just think the problem we’re running into is there’s not a lot of race fans anymore. People would always bring their kids to the track, but now there are just so many other things people can do otherwise.

“Going to the lake, taking your kids to a bounce house. No offense, but we just stood outside, right? It’s 90-something degrees outside. Who wants to sit in metal bleachers under the sun for three hours? If you’re out there — God bless you. More power to you. I appreciate that. We need to do more for those people who are here and who give us their time and their money. But you’re not going to find me out there.”

While Kyle Busch hasn’t been winning as much lately, he has taken on a new popularity of his own. He is the old vet that doesn’t take crap from anyone. Busch is also a vocal driver in the garage on many topics in the sport.

With how the racing has been lately in the Cup Series, everyone is asking what NASCAR has to do to improve things. The Next Gen car is wearing thin on many fans, teams, and drivers. If those in the sport aren’t able to sell the excitement and enthusiasm then there is no way to sell it to the audience.

Is Kyle Busch right? Has culture changed too much for NASCAR to be as relevant?