Good Morning! There’s been a recent buzz around the lack of star power in NASCAR. Rightfully so as it seems that most people’s childhood heroes are out of the sport or leaving it soon.

What can drivers or teams do to build their star power back up? What has changed since the days of ‘The Intimidator’ and the ‘Rainbow Warrior’? Maybe all that’s needed is some cooler nicknames… 🤔

Motorsports Moneyline

US GP Driver Odds (provided by BetMGM)

-400 Max Verstappen

+1000 Lando Norris

+1200 Oscar Piastri

+1800 Sergio Perez

+2200 Lewis Hamilton

Miami Driver Odds (provided by BetMGM)

+275 Kyle Larson

+600 Tyler Reddick

+625 Martin Truex Jr.

+700 Denny Hamlin

+700 William Byron

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 Miami:

1. Kyle Larson

2. Chase Elliott

3. Joey Logano

4. Brad Keselowski

5. Martin Truex Jr.

Garage: William Byron

📈 Trending 📈

💭 Daniel Ricciardo’s thoughts ahead of his first race back

🙅‍♂️ Guenther Steiner on why an 11th team should NOT be added to the grid

🚔 Ron Devine, former owner of NASCAR Cup Series team BK Racing, facing federal charges

💰 The FIA has increased the maximum fines in Formula 1 to $1 million

Star Power Showdown

In the intricate dance of NASCAR’s brand building, Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, is chanting the mantra of increasing star power 🌟. Brand image and driver stardom should waltz together, argues Gordon. “I think we have a role as race teams to build our brand up, maybe not as much as the star power of the driver,” he notes, alluding to the mass departure of big names and the ensuing disconnect fans felt with the teams.

However, there’s a caution flag ⚠️ waved by fellow racer and team owner, Brad Keselowski. The risk? A runaway star. “If that driver leaves and goes to another team, that’s just a complete loss,” Keselowski points out. Investment in stardom isn’t all roses when drivers can easily switch loyalties.

This dance floor dilemma is epitomized by Tyler Reddick’s jump ship to 23XI Racing, leaving Richard Childress Racing in a lurch and validating Keselowski’s concerns. It’s a tug of war between the glitz of star drivers and the concrete foundation of team brand loyalty.

Who leads in this dance, the stars or the teams? The fans are watching. 👀

Subscriber Soundoff

Hybrid on the Horizon

As the 2024 IndyCar Series season looms, drivers and teams are diligently testing the waters of the forthcoming hybrid system. 🔧 The unit, incorporated into the current 2.2-liter engines, breathes a new lease of life into the push-to-pass strategy and is expected to dazzle on road, street, and oval tracks. 🏎️

Alex Palou, an experienced wheelman, anticipates an innovative edge in race dynamics. “It can play a big role.” He expects the regenerative energy system to shake up the pecking order mid-race, enabling calculated, strategic overtaking maneuvers.

But it’s not just about speed and overtaking; it’s a juggling act for the drivers. Rossi lays it bare: “It's a completely different thing.” With additional controls to manage, multitasking behind the wheel hits a whole new level. 🎮

Power, a voice of experience, underscores the learning curve. "At first, it's going to be reliability,” he points out, suggesting initial teething troubles should be expected before the hybrid systems are optimized for peak performance.

For fans and competitors alike, the 2024 season promises an electrifying blend of strategy, speed, and spectacle. ⚡🏁

More News

F1

🎟️ COTA believes adding another American team won’t affect interest or attendance in the US GP

🎮 The new F1 Manager 2023 game is now available offering players complete control of an official F1 team

🇺🇸 Red Bull reveals a fan-designed stars-and-stripes livery for the United States Grand Prix

🏁 McLaren signs Bianca Bustamante from the F1 Academy, making her the first female driver to join their Driver Development Program

📝 F1’s CEO letter to the drivers following Qatar GP

NASCAR

🔁 Christian Eckes is set to return to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing for the 2024 Season

🌵 Stefan Parsons is gearing up to close out the 2023 season with Rackley W.A.R. at Phoenix Raceway

IndyCar

🔧 Inside look at IndyCar’s Milwaukee Mile Test with Will Power and Linus Lundqvist

Global Motorsports

⏱️ The World Endurance Championship is set to adopt a new qualifying format, the Hyperpole, for all rounds starting in 2024

👀 Mick Schumacher has completed his first test drive in Alpine’s LMDh car, hinting at a potential involvement in WEC in 2024

🗓️ The World Rally Championship has revealed a 13-round calendar for 2024, with the return of Poland and Argentina

🌐 The Formula E championship is set to expand its reach in 2024, with new rounds being planned in cities like Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Tokyo

🆕 Ferrari is gearing up to unveil their new one-make racer, the 296 Challenge

The Money Lap Podcast | Episode 25

Episode 25 is out NOW! Parker and Landon dive into juicy NASCAR drama first, analyzing questionable strategy calls and lack of star power. Then it's off to the glitz and glam of Formula One, where celebrity investments like Patrick Mahomes are bringing shiny new attention. The excitement amps up with Petit Le Mans' electrifying finish between two cars battling for the GTP championship. Landon doles out insider tips for tackling Homestead, emphasizing tire management in qualifying and proper use of the high line. But debates heat up over hitting the wall - while Landon recommends not touching it, Parker plans to practice the risky move. Past eras of NASCAR drama and rivalries are revisited for their success in driving fan excitement.

Watch and Listen Now

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