Kyle Larson’s dominant performance at the Bristol Night Race, where he led 462 of 500 laps, has sparked mixed reactions. While Larson defended his race against criticism, highlighting that NASCAR fans often react differently to dominant races compared to other sports, the overall fan sentiment seemed dissatisfied. Jeff Gluck of *The Athletic* runs a weekly poll asking whether a race was good, and this time, the Bristol race received only a 27.2% approval rating, much lower than earlier races with more tire degradation and drama. Larson argued that had the race ended with late restarts instead of his runaway win, fans might have rated it higher.
The issue seems less about Larson himself, who is a fan favorite, and more about the nature of the race. Many fans felt there wasn’t enough passing, with drivers struggling even against lapped cars. This characteristic is common with NASCAR’s Next Gen car on short tracks like Bristol, but it left many fans underwhelmed, especially compared to more action-packed races earlier in the season.
In sports like football or basketball, dominant performances are often celebrated, yet in NASCAR, races without much drama or late-race excitement often get labeled as “boring.” While Larson’s win was impressive, the lack of passing and intense position battles contributed to a general feeling of disappointment from fans who hoped for a more dynamic race.
