Getting the organization of NASCAR to be proactive and make an obvious choice that benefits the sport, fans and teams that operate in it is like getting a toddler to hand over the sharp stick in their hand. They’ll cry and whine and insist it’s their stick despite being meters away from it poking their eye out.

When the Chase format was reintroduced, it gave the industry and it’s fans a wonderful light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, the sport listened to those around it and adopted a better, albeit imperfect, system that rewards consistency over sudden success. Does this mean the sport is understanding itself again finally?

In some ways, sure, but this past weekend at COTA showed the sport still has a way to go before they can say they capitalize on the easy stuff. The event I’m referencing is when Alex Bowman had to step out of his car in stage two due to illness, and Hendrick scrambled to find someone to hop in the car and salvage any points they could. 

In comes 31-year-old Myatt Snider. The one-time O’Reilly series winner was working as a pit spotter for FOX when they called his name. Much like a superhero, Snider always kept his suit and helmet at the track for moments like this. 

One final, coy message to close friend Brad Perez, who had experience at the track, was sent by Snider. Other than that, that’s all the young driver got before hopping in a Cup Series car at one of the hardest tracks on the schedule.

Snider wheeled it to 36th and multiple laps down, but brought the car home clean. This was like Alabama needing to call onto a backup who only ever threw one TD for Ferris State in his career and proceeding to go 8/15 for 120 yards and a first down against Georgia’s starting front seven. 

He must be elated and proud. I can’t wait to hear his side of things, as well as Bowmans! 

And then the broadcast ended. No interview. No update on Bowman. Nothing, Just rudimentary interviews FOX has done verbatim for about 20 years now, Not even an update on the points standings either.

I simply don’t understand. As Jeff Gluck poignantly said, “That’s a story”, and you are damn right it was. Why withhold these drivers from media availability? Even if you’re worried Snider isn’t prepped for PR, or Bowman’s issue is personal, just say anything! Snider is a FOX pit media member, I think if there’s anyone trained to give general speak about his experience, it’s him. 

To add onto it, Hendricks socials gave zero flowers to Snider. No nice picture, no shoutout for always staying ready. The coverage of this moment was done by people on pit road and fans. It’s honestly just sad and frustrating, not only for this sports growth but for Snider, who is a winner that has taken cars home clean. 

Also, not a single graphic for the points battle at the end of the race? How much exactly was gained by the 48 teams making this change? What is the point of having a new points system if no effort is made to touch on it. Feels like it was done begrudgingly, not out of necessity or intelligence. 

NASCAR finds itself in a spot where it cannot afford cool moments like these to fall through the cracks. The sports reputation as a hootering and hollering left turn filled parade can only be changed one way, and that’s by showcasing the feats of skill and unique instances like this one to the masses. 

Until NASCAR understands how to market it’s sport to more than people who were raised on stock car racing, it will continue to be viewed the way that it is. 

Next time this sport gets another clean look at the rim on the fastbreak, expect a dish to a contested shooter, because this organization hasn’t shown me a single attempt to guide the layup in.