NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer addresses fans’ frustration over racing quality with a clear message

NASCAR has been receiving many complaints from fans regarding short-track and road-course racing. In response to the complaints about the Cup Series races, stock car racing's senior vice president, Elton Sawyer, recently issued a statement addressing the frustrated fans.

The NextGen, or seventh-generation cars, have not had the smoothest transition to the sport, and even after four seasons in the Cup Series, things are not getting easier. The governing body has tried countless methods to improve the quality of racing. Still, nothing has worked as expected, and it is actively looking for a solution.

During a morning interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Sawyer addressed the frustrated fans and claimed that the association hears fans' complaints. He pointed out that stock car racing officials are “always looking to make our product better.” He further explained (via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio):

“When we look at our product that’s on the race track, we want to continue to look at that and what we can do, whether it’s the car, whether it’s the engines, whether it’s the tires, whatever it may be to continue week in and week out to bring the best racing to our race fans as we possibly can.”

The senior VP further talked about the upcoming race at Richmond Raceway and said (via DailyDownForce):

“This weekend, we’re off to Richmond, another short track where we have spent some time there testing over the years. Our goal was always to just continue to make the product better. I can’t emphasize that enough. We’re not just sitting still on what we have."

The 25th race of the 2025 Cup Series season, Cook Out 400, is scheduled on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Richmond Raceway. USA, MRN, HBO Max, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 will broadcast the 300-mile event live at 7:30 p.m.

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Full entry list of the 2025 NASCAR Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway

NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass shared the 39 Cup Series drivers set to compete in the 400-lap race this weekend.

Here's the list:

1. #1 - Ross Chastain
2. #2 - Austin Cindric
3. #3 - Austin Dillon
4. #4 - Noah Gragson
5. #5 - Kyle Larson
6. #6 - Brad Keselowski
7. #7 - Justin Haley
8. #8 - Kyle Busch
9. #9 - Chase Elliott
10. #10 - Ty Dillon
11. #11 - Denny Hamlin
12. #12 - Ryan Blaney
13. #16 - A. J. Allmendinger
14. #17 - Chris Buescher
15. #19 - Chase Briscoe
16. #20 - Christopher Bell
17. #21 - Josh Berry
18. #22 - Joey Logano
19. #23 - Bubba Wallace
20. #24 - William Byron
21. #33 - Jesse Love (i)
22. #34 - Todd Gilliland
23. #35 - Riley Herbst (R)
24. #38 - Zane Smith
25. #41 - Cole Custer
26. #42 - John Hunter Nemechek
27. #43 - Erik Jones
28. #44 - TBA
29. #45 - Tyler Reddick
30. #47 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
31. #48 - Alex Bowman
32. #51 - Cody Ware
33. #54 - Ty Gibbs
34. #60 - Ryan Preece
35. #67 - Corey Heim (i)
36. #71 - Michael McDowell
37. #77 - Carson Hocevar
38. #88 - Shane van Gisbergen (R)
39. #99 - Daniel Suárez

Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon took home the victory in the 2024 Cook Out 400. He completed the 300-mile race in three hours, three minutes, and 19 seconds.