Tony Stewart Sends a Message | Larson Discusses Low Driver Pay | Pressure is on Burton, Briscoe

If Burton continues to slump, who would the Wood Brothers go with in 2025?

It’s INCREDIBLY HARD for drivers to “increase their value” given how polished they are required to be due to the nature of how sponsorships work and all. You say 1 dumb thing or accidentally forget to switch from you “public” account to your “private/burner” account, and you risk losing your entire career (see Larson and Gragson). We want these guys to be more public, and then the moment they act like normal people, laughing at things that may be offensive (we all laugh at jokes that other would consider offensive, let’s be honest) or say something that may be a little uncouth or offensive (see previous statement about jokes) and we instantly turn on them and put on our “holier than thou” attitudes, knowing full well we do the exact same things as they do. We all complain about the “snowflakes” of the world, yet we’re all a part of it. From Denny Hamlin posting a Family Guy clip to twitter and tagging Larson after Talladega to Bubba Wallace with the whole “noose” debacle. In both scenarios, half of the public is mad. So, I don’t blame the drivers for being way more reserved. You have to remember, back when Jimmie and Jeff were in their primes, the internet was in its infancy. The iPhone came out in 2007. Jeff Gordon had already won all 4 of his championships and Jimmie Johnson had won his first by then, and, let’s be real, social media didn’t really start to “blow-up” until what, 2012-2013? So, that’s why. I mean, I think we can all agree that Jimmie Johnson was far more reserved than Jeff Gordon was.

I get that less money for the drivers looks bad for the sport, but I’ve always thought that sport players and, in this case, drivers get paid way too much money and I really could care less how much even my favorite driver gets paid. Like, they’re famous they will always have more than enough money.

Eric, i find it interesting when you say “it is not that hard to put yourself out there”. Imagine, if you would, being in a competitive situation with 39 other Nascar youtube channels, and there be a declared winner every week. points counting towards the playoffs, and being demonetized if you do not make the playoffs half way through the season. And at the end of the year, the “winner” this year gets your channel, and you get to start from scratch. You may feel differently. Or even better, picture Bailoney burger getting your “ride” because he will work for less?

I think Brisco was doing good for being in the shr equipment he was in

Harrison Burton has a ride because of his family and HOF dad, not his performance. Harrison will not be in the 21 come 2025, unless he can bring a ton of sponsorship, which would require his dad being heavily involved with the sponsors.

To your point about putting yourself out there, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Brad keselowski all regularly put themselves out there and share their thoughts openly. All three of them have wildly different perspectives and talk about wildly different things but all of them aren’t afraid to share an opinion or say when a guy raced them dirty. Chastian has been wide open on track and shows you can do wild things and be celebrated. Chase Elliot even has opened up more and more lately(despite what his haters will claim). Larson is one of the most reserved and boring drivers in the garage and here he is talking about various things. It’s getting better but we need to get drivers comfortable on camera and comfortable with their sponsors. This year Chris buesher had a breakout season. He was awkward the first few times he’s been on camera. But he knows Brad supports him and he has strong sponsor support so he’s been putting himself out there and was far more comfortable on media day then he was just 12 months ago. Nascar needs to put people on camera more and there personalities will shine though