Chase Elliott's championship capped off what has been called NASCAR's most difficult yearGETTY IMAGES
All three of NASCAR's national series now have "completed their full season," with Chase Elliott winning the Cup championship at Phoenix Raceway to officially cap off '20, according to Jenna Fryer of the AP. NASCAR President Steve Phelps on Saturday in the annual state of the sport said, "I would suggest this is the single most difficult year that we've faced as a sport." He added, "What we have done during this global pandemic is I think nothing short of remarkable. I believe we're stronger as a sport today than we were pre-COVID. We showed this year as a sport that we did as good or a better job than any sport did, frankly, getting back early and often" (AP, 11/7).
COMING TOGETHER: Phelps said, "What we've proven this year is that you can do things differently and they can work. What we're in the process of doing right now is looking at what that race day experience is going to look like ... I think there are things both from a competition standpoint, as well as a fan standpoint, sponsor standpoint, where we are going to reinvent ourselves." Phelps: "We need to have a great fan experience that is going to look different almost certainly than it did before." On whether NASCAR and its teams can remain viable business entities in '21 if the races continue with limited on-site fans, no corporate hospitality and no sponsor activation, Phelps said, "We can sustain this period where we have a limited number of fans, limited amounts of hospitality. Is it where we want to be? Of course not. But are we financially viable to move forward? We are." On Phoenix Raceway hosting the season finale, Phelps said, "We know that the season finale will be run here again next year. We are hopeful that we will run it in front of full grandstands, all the greater activities in the Phoenix area are going to come off." He added, "I do think this market has responded incredibly strongly to us coming here. Visually when you go around the city, you know that our championship is here. That's heartwarming" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/8).
DESERT OASIS: In Phoenix, Kent Somers notes the NASCAR Cup Series championship yesterday was held "for the first time in the Valley." But even championship events "suffer when fans can't attend." Few sports "make the fans feel as much a part of the day's events than NASCAR." Somers: "If there's a more fan-friendly venue in sports than Phoenix Raceway, I haven't seen it." Capacity yesterday was "limited to around 11,000 in the grandstands, some RVs parked on site, seating on hillsides and a limited number of tables for four in the infield area." Phoenix Raceway President Julie Giese said, "It's a lot less people than we hoped when we made the announcement (as the championship race host) but I'm grateful we've provided a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the race, the first championship in Phoenix" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/9).
TWITTER REAX: NASCAR observers and execs alike took to Twitter and remarked on the accomplishment of completing the season. NASCAR Exec VP & Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell: "Thankful to the entire @nascar industry for pulling off an incredible season." Exec VP and Chief Operations & Sales Officer Daryl Wolfe: "To all @NASCAR fans, thank you from the bottom of all of our collective hearts. ... 2020 season was difficult, and thanks for hanging in there with us!" Racer's Kelly Crandall: "A big job well done to NASCAR, the teams, and all within the industry to make it through probably the most difficult and unique season the sport has ever seen." Frontstretch.com's Dustin Albino: "Pretty big deal for NASCAR to be the first professional sport to get all of its events (yes, some of the races switches locations) in this season. Two thumbs up to the sanctioning body for overcoming all of the national and local hurdles." KickinTheTires.net's Sarah Handy: "NASCAR did a great job. Started out at Daytona covering my first 500, I was on my way to cover Atlanta & Covid hit. Covered from home except NHMS."
