Ty Gibbs celebrated the victory in NASCAR’s first In-Season Challenge at Indianapolis.
The famous phrase “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” resonates in the world of sports, and NASCAR is no exception. Inspired by the hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky, who took thousands of shots throughout his career, the organization has adopted a try-and-learn mentality.
In the past, NASCAR suffered radical changes that alienated its followers. However, now, the management seems to have learned from those mistakes, making decisions with greater planning and evaluating their impact.
The question is always, what is your motivation? Why are you doing this? Do you have a broader vision or are you just saying ‘What the heck?’ and throwing things against the wall?
Joey LoganoThis season, NASCAR has implemented street circuit races and brought back classic events. Flexibility in scheduling and a willingness to experiment have been key to this new stage.
NASCAR’s initiative extends to innovative events, such as the temporary construction of a baseball stadium within a circuit for a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The idea is simple: try something new and, if it works, repeat it.
This adaptation mindset became evident during the 2020 pandemic, when NASCAR became the first major sport to return to action, employing unprecedented flexibility in scheduling. The organization freed itself from old habits and contracts, allowing the implementation of a more dynamic business model.
As the release of the 2026 Cup Series schedule approaches, NASCAR has experienced a summer full of changes. The inclusion of races in Mexico and Chicago, along with events in Nashville and Indianapolis, demonstrates the organization’s ambition to innovate. In addition, a street race was announced for Father’s Day 2026 at a naval base in San Diego.
The In-Season Challenge, although initially criticized, proved to be a platform to highlight talents like Ty Gibbs and Ty Dillon.
NASCAR’s future is uncertain, but exciting. The organization focuses on maintaining classic events, such as the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500, while evaluating new ideas.
Successful initiatives, such as the Clash relocation and the return of North Wilkesboro, will be maintained. The return of innovative ideas is expected, such as midweek night races and a dirt race per year. In addition, the aim is to revitalize innovative concepts, such as the Charlotte Roval.
In short, NASCAR is constantly evolving, taking risks and learning from each experience. With a playoffs committee considering a possible revision of the points system and the desire to incorporate a new manufacturer, the future of the organization is promising.The NASCAR preseason Clash returned to North Carolina this year, being held at Bowman Gray Stadium.
