Is SRX in peril of not lasting after the 2023 season?
The racing sequence of NASCAR Corridor of Famer Tony Stewart, Famous person Racing Expertise (SRX), had a powerful second season. However can it final?
Two years in the past, NASCAR Corridor of Famers Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham determined to work in the direction of a imaginative and prescient of a modern-day IROC racing sequence and paved the way in which for Famous person Racing Expertise (SRX).
The inventory automobile racing sequence has featured names from throughout the motorsports world and has led to some memorable moments in its first two seasons.
Final 12 months, the sequence confirmed how tremendous it may very well be when it ended with a battle of the Elliotts between present NASCAR driver Chase Elliott and father Invoice. The youthful Elliott received that race, and in one other one-off look this 12 months, he did the identical.
The roster was revamped this season and make clear Ryan Newman, who scored his first win of any form since 2017. Stewart, final 12 months’s champion, received a race, as did former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Bobby Labonte. IndyCar veteran Marco Andretti received the sequence championship.
However with the highs, there come the lows, resulting in some questions in regards to the sustainability of the game.
Title sponsor Tenting World, which received’t return because the title sponsor of the NASCAR Truck Collection in 2023, has already signed on to sponsor SRX subsequent 12 months. So whereas the sequence might proceed into subsequent 12 months, its five-year plan may very well be one in every of concern.
The sequence has appeared restricted on stock, most notably final 12 months when Evernham confirmed seen frustration from Paul Tracy totaling SRX’s vehicles.
This 12 months, Stewart confirmed the character that earned him the moniker of “Smoke” when he confronted Ernie Francis Jr. relating to the identical problem.
Stewart advised Racing Information that “If we wish to have good vehicles, we gotta begin taking good care of them higher.”
Between each years of frustration from Evernham and Stewart, it’s secure to say the grassroots attraction SRX initially supplied will not be within the playing cards for 2023.
NASCAR has seemingly seen SRX as a competitor, leaving the sequence’ identify out of their broadcast, regardless of having had a number of drivers compete in it up to now.
Examine that to NASCAR’s remedy of Jimmie Johnson driving in IndyCar, and it’s evident that the 2 inventory automobile racing sequence are at odds and aren’t companions.
With restricted assist from different networks and sequence, SRX will face an uphill battle subsequent season. Racing cleaner in a sport that doesn’t put it up for sale, plus a driver lineup largely unknown except for those that comply with the sequence on a weekly foundation, might trigger issues past 2023.
