NASCAR’s Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway is not just about the races on the track but also about the off-track drama. NASCAR President Steve Phelps and COO Steve O’Donnell addressed some key issues in their State of the Sport press conference.
One major topic discussed was the antitrust lawsuit filed against NASCAR and CEO Jim France by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The lawsuit alleges anticompetitive practices by NASCAR to benefit themselves at the expense of race teams. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Phelps emphasized that NASCAR’s goal is to support race teams financially and ensure their stability moving forward.
Another controversial issue was race manipulation during the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville. Certain Chevrolet and Toyota teams were found to have engaged in team orders to help specific drivers advance to the Championship 4. NASCAR handed out penalties and fines to address this misconduct and made it clear that such actions would not be tolerated in the future.
Officiating concerns were also raised, particularly regarding NASCAR’s damaged vehicle policy. While O’Donnell defended NASCAR’s officiating team, he acknowledged that improvements would be made for the 2025 season to enhance fairness and transparency in decision-making.
In addition to these pressing matters, NASCAR is looking towards international expansion with the Cup Series set to race in Mexico City next season. There are also discussions about racing in Canada and the potential addition of a new OEM to compete with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota in the national touring series.
The season finale’s location has been a topic of debate, with talks of potentially moving it back to Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2026. However, Phoenix Raceway will host the event in 2025, with other potential sites like Darlington, Charlotte, and Las Vegas also under consideration.
Championship 4 driver Ty Majeski addressed a fine he received for missing media obligations due to voting in the U.S. Presidential Election. He plans to appeal the fine and emphasized the importance of exercising his right to vote as a U.S. citizen.
As Championship Weekend unfolds, the focus remains on the thrilling races ahead, but the off-track issues and controversies add a layer of intrigue and complexity to NASCAR’s season finale.
