🏎️ Maxed Out

Has Verstappen's dominance slowed F1's growth?

September 08, 2023

Good Morning! If you’re a football fan you’d know that the NFL just officially kicked off their season last night in Kansas City. It was a great game but we’re even more excited about the other major sporting event that will be taking place just 25 miles west of Arrowhead Stadium - Round 2 of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs!

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Motorsports Moneyline

Kansas Driver Odds (provided by BetMGM)

+500 Denny Hamlin

+525 Kyle Larson

+600 Martin Truex Jr.

+725 William Byron

+900 Tyler Reddick

eRacr’s AI Fantasy Lineup

Based on current trends and previous race statistics here is the ideal lineup for your NASCAR Fantasy team heading into Kansas:

  1. Kyle Larson

  2. Denny Hamlin

  3. Kyle Busch

  4. Bubba Wallace

  5. Chase Elliott

Garage: Martin Truex Jr.

F1

Maxed out Dominance?

In the wake of Max Verstappen's unprecedented dominance in the F1 scene, Liberty Media CEO, Greg Maffei, addresses Verstappen's impact on the sport's viewership. While acknowledging Max's "record-setting year," Maffei hints at a slight concern regarding audience retention. 

Nonetheless, Maffei highlights the series' increased overtaking stats and pitches Verstappen's historic run as a must-watch event, stating, "Come watch this historic event, you've never seen success like this, you don't want to miss it."

Maffei accentuates the growth in overall interest, emphasizing the surge in digital engagement via platforms like Instagram and YouTube. "I'm convinced our demand is very high", Maffei noted, highlighting the double-digit growth in the sport's following across various platforms.

More F1

NASCAR

Changing of the Guards

As Kevin Harvick gears up for retirement, NASCAR sees the rise of a new brigade of leaders, steering the sport into a safer and more inclusive future. "Nobody else’s sport has the same view as a driver does... Nobody sees everything like we do," Joey Logano mentioned, emphasizing the unique insights the drivers bring to fostering change within the sport.

While acknowledging his own journey from a reserved newcomer to a seasoned voice in the industry, Logano appreciates Ryan Blaney's increasing willingness to voice concerns, noting, “Yeah, it takes time.”

Alongside them, Bubba Wallace steps up, focusing on expanding NASCAR's fanbase and fostering inclusivity. Wallace notes the growing responsibilities, stating, “if you continue to do the right things and progress the sport forward, you’re gonna have more obligations.” Meanwhile, Chase Elliott opts for impactful interventions, subscribing to the belief that "less is more".

Harvick won't be drifting far away post-retirement, planning to nurture the budding rockstars of the track from the Fox broadcast booth and through KHI Management. "I want them to be the best athletes that they can be," Harvick shared, anticipating a vibrant, driver-led future for NASCAR.

More NASCAR

IndyCar

McLaren’s and Palou’s F1 Plot Twist

Alex Palou, the star driver from Chip Ganassi Racing who recently clinched his second IndyCar title, 🏆 opened up about why he chose to stick with IndyCar over Formula 1. After being associated with McLaren's F1 test runs and an expected move to Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar squad, the racer decided to park his F1 dreams for now.

In his words: “[The] door opened a little bit with McLaren. It was amazing. I got to test the [F1] cars and also Practice one at COTA last year, which was amazing. The opportunity was great, but there was nothing else there saying, ‘Oh, you will have a car’.”

Adding more context, Palou said, “If I was 20, maybe I would've waited. But I'm not 20, I'm 26.” 📅

On the side, legal drama ensues. Palou's lips are sealed on contractual matters, as McLaren is taking legal strides against him in the UK High Court. When quizzed about it, Palou said: “I was expecting [it] sooner rather than later...” ⚖️

More IndyCar

GLOBAL MOTORSPORT

Take a trip to far away motorsport lands

🔀 IMSA reschedules Six Hours of The Glen to avoid clash with Spa 24 Hours: The endurance race at Watkins Glen will move to June 27-30 in 2024, as IMSA announces its calendar for its flagship series

👋 Subaru in talks with FIA for WRC comeback: The Japanese manufacturer, which won three drivers’ and three manufacturers’ titles in the WRC, is interested in returning to the series with hybrid technology

📆 SRO America adds two new venues to 2024 calendar: Barber Motorsports Park and Sebring International Raceway will join the existing circuits for the GT World Challenge America, GT4 America and GT America series next year

🏆 Vandoorne set for Peugeot race debut at Fuji: The Formula E champion will replace the injured Nico Muller in the No. 94 Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar for the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Fuji next week

☔ WRC Acropolis Rally shakedown cancelled due to heavy rain: The opening stage of the Greek rally has been called off after torrential rain made the roads impassable, forcing the organizers to revise the itinerary

The Money Lap Podcast | Episode 20

Episode 20 is out NOW! The roller-coaster ride begins with a vivid recounting of Parker's heart-stopping crash with Sam Mayer, putting his playoff dreams on a thin line. Landon isn't just a spectator in this tale, offering a unique angle on the Mayer-Kligerman clash, setting the stage for a rich and deep conversation that fans are bound to appreciate. The festivities continue as Parker finally honors his vow of making an appearance on Cameo, a delightful moment that marks the podcast reaching a milestone of 100 reviews on Apple, sprinkling a bit of light-hearted fun amid the fervent discussions that populate this episode.

Watch and Listen Now

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