NASCAR race looks pathetic with empty seats, driver gives the finger & the most embarrassing command ever? - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News Digital, carrying an OutKick “Monday Morning Pit-Stop” column by Zach Dean, framed Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a troubling showcase for NASCAR despite Corey Heim’s victory. The column said Heim, described as not a full-time Cup Series driver, won the race and is now a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner. It also highlighted Carson Hocevar making an obscene gesture toward Heim in traffic as one of the day’s viral moments.

The report focused heavily on the look and quality of the event at the massive Indianapolis venue. Dean wrote that covered grandstands and visible empty seats made the race appear poorly attended on television, while adding that people working ticket areas estimated about 70,000 fans were present. The column noted that such a crowd would be strong for many NASCAR weekends, but looked sparse at a facility associated with far larger audiences.

A central criticism was NASCAR’s current Cup Series car and the limited passing at Indy. The column said drivers broadly complained about the racing product, and it cited the lack of any green-flag pass for the lead as a major concern. Joey Logano was referenced in discussion of how difficult passing was, while Kyle Larson’s view that many Cup races run too long was also discussed in the context of lengthy caution periods and little on-track action.

The piece was written in a sharply opinionated style rather than as a straight race report. Its broader point was that one of NASCAR’s best-known events still carries prestige, but the combination of visible empty seats, processional racing and driver frustration raised questions about the series’ presentation and competition at Indianapolis.