Martinsville attendance raises alarm bells among | Sports News

NASCAR followers couldn’t help however discover the lackluster crowd that gathered to watch Chase Elliott coast down victory lane at Martinsville Speedway.

On Sunday, Elliott — who radioed back a stunning message to his group — captured his first victory of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season within the Cook Out 400. The Hendrick Motorsports driver seized a late lead during the ultimate stage after a warning period and barely held off a number of challenges from Denny Hamlin within the closing laps.

Before the thrilling end got here to fruition, droves of viewers at home identified that there was an alarming quantity of empty seats surrounding the 0.526 mile oval short observe. “When it looks like half the @MartinsvilleSwy crowd is filing out with 150 to go, there’s a major problem that needs [to be] addressed by @NASCAR,” an X person wrote. Someone else replied, “Should be more worried only half the crowd showed up for the start.” It comes after the NASCAR driver who stripped to underwear sheds mild on price of implants.

Others advised that the underwhelming turnout was resulting from there being two Martinsville occasions on the Cup Series calendar. In addition to the Cook Out 400 spring race, the storied venue will even host the Xfinity 500 in November, which stands as the ultimate Round of 8 race within the postseason.

“It’s cold, the racing sucks now, there’s a better date later in the season. Take your pick,” one particular person stated, with one other including: “No track that has two races sells both out at this point. Welcome to 2026 NASCAR, the series isn’t close to what it was 15-20 years ago.”

A fifth chimed in, “Both Martinsville and Bristol have the same problem. The current car doesn’t race well on it and their fall races are the better ticket during a time where many can’t afford to do both.”

Despite the seemingly disappointing attendance, spectators nonetheless managed to deal with a whopping 50,015 Martinsville scorching canine — the observe’s highest -selling concession merchandise that includes a vibrant purple canine topped with chili, mustard, onions and slaw.

Those who did make the journey to Martinsville had been moreover handled with an unimaginable efficiency from Elliott. “It was definitely a team effort,” he stated of the win. “That was awesome, man. We’ve never had a win this early in the season so just a really great team effort. So proud of Alan and the whole team. They did a great job, but just so proud of them. They put up with a lot, and they got to put up with me all the time. So I just appreciate them for sticking with me.”

Hamlin maintained sturdy command for many of the opening two phases, main 163 of the primary 169 laps. With Elliott’s victory prospects fading, crew chief Alan Gustafson made the call to carry the No. 9 Chevrolet to pit street sooner than most frontrunners.

The dangerous determination quickly paid off, as Elliott took the lead from Ross Chastain after a restart en path to main the ultimate 69 laps. “We took a gamble,” NASCAR’s eight-time hottest driver stated.

“We were going to two-stop that last stage. Honestly I think it was going to work out really good for us either way. Just so proud of them, man. They put up with a lot, and they got to put up with me all the time. So I just appreciate them for sticking with me. It sure is a lot of fun when days like this work out.”