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- NASCAR Rant Report - Tuesday, February 4th
NASCAR Rant Report - Tuesday, February 4th
Drivers Talk Bowman Gray for 2026, PPG Expands its Motorsports Presence, and more!
Rant Report AI
February 04, 2025
Major headlines out of Monday:
Drivers Talk Bowman Gray for 2026
PPG Expands its Motorsports Presence
Plus, miscellaneous topics from the day.
Drivers Talk Bowman Gray for 2026:
The recent NASCAR Cup Series Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium was met with a mix of enthusiasm and constructive criticism from drivers, with many expressing a desire for the event to return in 2026.
Positive Feedback: Chase Elliott, who won the race, described the experience as "super fun" and a "moment I'll never forget," highlighting the crowd's enthusiasm and the special atmosphere. He added, "It’s not every day you not only race in an environment like that, but to have the opportunity to win and kind of share that moment with the crowd, it was really cool." Chris Buescher echoed this sentiment, noting that the fans did not disappoint and that the event lived up to its reputation. Joey Logano appreciated the pre-race ceremony and the passionate fan engagement, stating, "Overall I would say it was successful. When fans are cheering and screaming, the drivers’ brands are being exposed to everybody, which is great."
Ryan Blaney also praised the close interaction with fans, calling them "hardcore race fans." He mentioned, "It was neat to hear them cheering, supporting you. There’s not a lot of places we go where they’re that close and that passionate." Kyle Larson found the environment enjoyable and noted, "It’s fun to see the crowd get more into it as the race is going on." Josh Berry admitted having a lot of fun despite the rough racing, and Shane van Gisbergen appreciated the low-stress, team-bonding experience, saying, "It’s pretty fun being able to hit people, but it’s not fun when you’re on the receiving end."
Negative Feedback: Denny Hamlin expressed some reservations, noting that while the event felt big, it did not provide the same competitive insights as the traditional Clash at Daytona. He remarked, "I thought it provided tons of storylines for the 500. Back then, if you saw someone that was really dominant in the Clash, it was like, ‘They have a great handling car, they are going to be tough to beat, doesn’t matter where they start.’ Now that it is such a track position race, I don’t know that you will get the direct correlation." Christopher Bell admitted he was initially negative about the event but found it enjoyable once the racing began, provided drivers raced respectfully.
Future of the Clash: There is strong support among drivers for returning to Bowman Gray in 2026. Elliott mentioned he had no issues with coming back, and Blaney emphasized that the event would not lose its luster with a return. Blaney stated, "I’m looking forward to hopefully coming back next year. I don't see why you wouldn't come back. There’s going to be just as many people here next year as there was tonight." Logano acknowledged the importance of moving the event to new venues but also recognized the unique energy at Bowman Gray. He noted, "It looks good, the energy is real. It’s not like you have this ginormous stadium and you get half or three quarters of it full. It’s standing room only, it's a special feel, it's hard to get the ticket."
Hamlin highlighted the need for a venue that provides a special feel and atmosphere, which Bowman Gray delivered. He said, "You want to go wherever can give you that feel and atmosphere. There’s surely bigger venues and bigger cities to go to, but will you have this type of feel or not? That’s really what matters."
Overall, the Clash at Bowman Gray was seen as a successful and memorable event, with many drivers and fans hoping for its return while also considering the potential benefits of exploring new locations. The event's unique atmosphere, enthusiastic crowd, and competitive racing left a lasting impression, making a strong case for Bowman Gray to host the Clash again in the future.
Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.
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PPG Expands its Motorsports Presence:
PPG has announced an expanded presence in motorsports for 2025, featuring its livery in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NTT INDYCAR Series. PPG will be the primary sponsor for the Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Mustang, driven by Josh Berry, at the Brickyard 400 on July 27. Additionally, PPG will sponsor the Team Penske No. 2 PPG Chevrolet, driven by Josef Newgarden, in seven INDYCAR races. This partnership coincides with Wood Brothers Racing's 75th season in competition. PPG will also continue as an associate partner for other Team Penske vehicles in both series, including those driven by Will Power, Scott McLaughlin, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano.
Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.
Miscellaneous:
The ongoing antitrust lawsuit involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR has drawn parallels to a recent decision in the soccer world. The U.S. Soccer Federation was found not to have violated antitrust laws in its handling of the North American Soccer League (NASL). The jury ruled in favor of U.S. Soccer, which could have implications for the NASCAR case, as the same lawyers are involved in both cases.
Straight Talk Wireless Campaign with Kyle Busch: Straight Talk Wireless has launched a new campaign featuring two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch. The campaign, centered around the "Family Dynasty Plan Sweepstakes," highlights the importance of family dynasties in NASCAR. Busch promotes the sweepstakes offering fans a chance to win $108,000, equivalent to the cost of a three-line family plan for 100 years. The campaign includes social media content, email marketing, and experiential activations at NASCAR events, including the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.
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