In 2019, former NASCAR President Steve Phelps made a bold statement about the upcoming Next-Gen car, saying, “In my opinion, the importance of this car can’t be overstated. It will allow teams to be profitable. That’s what it comes down to.” This statement was met with a lot of excitement and anticipation from fans and teams alike, as the Gen7 car was promised to be a game-changer in the world of NASCAR.
Under the watch of Phelps, the Gen7 car was meant to revolutionize the sport by making it safer and fairer for everyone involved. It was a promise that was eagerly awaited by all, and fans couldn’t wait to see the new car in action. However, as the years passed by, it became apparent that the Gen7 car was not living up to its hype. In fact, it was being labeled as one of the biggest flops in NASCAR history.
The disappointment and frustration of fans were palpable as they watched the Gen7 car fail to deliver on its promises. But perhaps, no one was more disappointed than Phelps himself. After all, he had put all his efforts and resources into making the Gen7 car a success. Unfortunately, it seemed that everything he touched turned out to be a flop.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment and even went as far as to blame Phelps for the failure of the Gen7 car. They criticized him for making false promises and not delivering on them. However, amidst all the negativity, there were still some fans who stood by Phelps and defended his actions.
They argued that Phelps had the best intentions when he made those promises about the Gen7 car. He genuinely believed that it would be a game-changer and would bring in more profits for teams. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and the Gen7 car turned out to be a major disappointment.
But despite the backlash and criticism, Phelps remained positive and continued to work towards improving the sport. He didn’t shy away from taking responsibility for the failure of the Gen7 car and even admitted that there were some mistakes made in the process. However, he also emphasized that the sport was constantly evolving, and sometimes, things didn’t work out as expected.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the Gen7 car, there were still some positive aspects to it. The car did bring in some changes that were beneficial for the sport, such as better aerodynamics and a new engine package. These changes may not have been groundbreaking, but they were still a step in the right direction.
Moreover, Phelps’ efforts to make the sport more inclusive and diverse should not be overlooked. He was instrumental in implementing initiatives such as the “NASCAR Drive for Diversity” program, which aimed to increase diversity within the sport. This program has seen great success, with many talented drivers from diverse backgrounds making their way into NASCAR.
In the end, it is unfair to label Phelps as a failure or to blame him for the shortcomings of the Gen7 car. Yes, the car may not have lived up to its promises, but it was still a step in the right direction. And Phelps’ efforts to improve the sport and make it more profitable for teams should not go unnoticed.
As fans, we must remember that NASCAR is a constantly evolving sport, and not every change or improvement will be a success. But what matters is that we continue to support the sport and the people behind it, even during the tough times. And as for Steve Phelps, he may have had his fair share of flops, but his contributions to NASCAR will always be remembered and appreciated.