“If the ‘World’s Fastest Half Mile’ can’t out draw a Sunday at Augusta, then NASCAR has officially lost the south.”
On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series raced at the famed Bristol Motor Speedway. Billed as ‘The Last Great Coliseum’, it’s a half-mile high-banked oval track in the hill of Tennessee.
Related: Bristol Race Results: April 12, 2026 (NASCAR Cup Series)
The track has seating for approximately 150,000 race fans. For Sunday’s race, many fans had an entire row to themselves due to the lack of attendance.
In the past, the place was sold out. It hosted two races per year and for the Night Race in the Fall, there was a significant wait list, just to be given the option to get tickets.
The Tennessee facility had an incredible sellout streak that lasted 55 NASCAR races from 1982 to 2010. Changes to the sport, the cars and the track itself have resulted in a steep decline in attendance.
Fans were quick to pick up on the empty seats. And it also caught the attention of former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield…
Related: Jeremy Mayfield details the raid on his house
Jeremy Mayfield comments on Bristol attendance
“Check out what the NASCAR grandstands used to look like when I raced at Bristol,” Jeremy Mayfield opened.
“When the biggest story is how many people are staying home to watch a golf tournament in Georgia, the sport is in a coma.”
“Ty Gibbs gets his first win in front of 100,000 empty seats. It looked like a COVID era race out there.”
“If the ‘World’s Fastest Half Mile’ can’t out draw a Sunday at Augusta, then NASCAR has officially lost the south.”
“Is it the car? Is it the drivers? Or has the ‘Colosseum’ just become a graveyard? Tell me I’m wrong.”
Jeremy Mayfield knocks NASCAR after leaked messages
