It’s official; NASCAR will unveil its new points format on Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET , marking what many view as a pivotal moment for stock car racing. Jordan Bianchi broke the news on social media, and soon after, former NASCAR Busch Series veteran Kenny Wallace followed up with some intriguing insights.
According to the 62-year-old dirt racing veteran, NASCAR’s revision includes three main changes that offer new hope for traditionalists and purists who’ve long criticized the sport’s direction.
However, Wallace’s rhetorical question, “Are you ready to forgive NASCAR?” to the fanbase ignited a firestorm. The answer from fans was swift and brutal: a resounding no.
‘I Won’t Watch One Race’ — Fans Torch Kenny Wallace Over NASCAR Defense
Wallace, for one, has never been shy about sharing his thoughts, be it about anything, and once again, the outspoken former driver found himself at the center of a heated fan debate.
In a recent video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the St. Louis native struck an optimistic tone about the sanctioning body’s recent course corrections, suggesting that NASCAR is finally acknowledging its missteps and attempting to repair the damage.
“Do you see what NASCAR is trying to do?” Wallace said in the video. “They’re trying to make a wrong a right, they’re trying to make things right. They messed up and they know that but I’m excited that they’re trying to make it right.”
While the veteran’s message was clearly intended as encouragement, the response from fans was anything but forgiving. Instead of applause, his comments opened the floodgates to a wave of skepticism, frustration, and blunt reality checks from a fanbase that remains deeply divided over the sanctioning body’s direction.
For many fans, Wallace’s optimism felt premature. Social media replies made it clear that while some appreciate NASCAR’s recent efforts, whether it be revisiting traditional venues, adjusting race formats, or rethinking fan engagement, those moves alone are not enough to erase years of controversial decisions.
One user noted, “Nope. As long as playoffs are coming back, I’ll never attend another useless reg season race again. If I do go to races near mid TN, it will be after playoff resets, and after they fix short track racing with Gen7. Regular season races wont be Must See TV for me any more.”
Meanwhile, a second fan stated the obvious – “Either way, not one person has apologized for their words against drivers and fans when the text leaked. The least they can do to help themselves is say sorry.”
From playoff format changes to perceived over-commercialization and governance disputes, fans argue that the sport’s wounds run far deeper than a few corrective gestures.
Several fans pushed back on the idea of “forgiveness” altogether, questioning why they should bear the burden of moving on so quickly. To them, accountability isn’t about admitting mistakes; it’s about consistently proving that lessons have been learned. One common sentiment echoed throughout the replies was simple: trust, once broken, takes time to rebuild.
“They wouldn’t have done dink without the lawsuit,” another netizen pointed out. “These are the first steps in the right direction, but no, I’m not forgiving them yet. And if they f**k up on Monday it’s going to take even longer.” The majority of the fans echoed a common sentiment – return to the old full-season points system, but with a sharp warning –
“2003 basic rules and format. If these demands aren’t met I won’t watch 1 race.” Then came the most logical comment of them all, followed by a sly dig at the new “Hell yeah” commercial – “1. New format could still be awful. Have to wait and see. 2. Phelps was the fall guy, the trial revealed Jim France is a bigger problem. 3. The “Hell Yeah” commercial is cringe, big swing and a miss.”
Some even took direct aim at Wallace himself, accusing him of being too lenient on NASCAR leadership. As a longtime insider and current media personality, Wallace’s perspective carries weight, but critics argue that it also comes with a degree of institutional loyalty that fans don’t share.
MORE: Kenny Wallace Drops Stinging 5-Word Reaction After Steve Phelps Steps Down As NASCAR Commissioner
That said, Wallace’s comments weren’t entirely dismissed. A smaller but noticeable segment of fans acknowledged that NASCAR does deserve some credit for recognizing errors and attempting to pivot. They agreed that progress, even if imperfect, is better than stagnation.
Still, even those supporters urged caution, emphasizing that the sport must stay the course rather than reverting once public pressure fades. Ultimately, the reaction to Wallace’s video underscores a larger truth about NASCAR’s current landscape: the fanbase is listening, watching, and far from ready to forget.
