Social Media Torches NASCAR Press over Indy Attendance Woes

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, once a crown jewel of NASCAR, drew sharp criticism from NASCAR fans for sparse attendance during its 2025 running. Social media platforms buzzed with NASCAR fans mocking the empty grandstands, posting side-by-side comparisons of packed crowds from the race’s 1990s heyday against the noticeably thinner turnout this year. Fans pointed to images of the inaugural 1994 Brickyard 400, when over 250,000 spectators filled the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, highlighting a stark contrast to the estimated 60,000 attendees in 2025.

NASCAR’s Jeff Gluck defended the attendance, arguing the crowd was substantial enough to fill smaller tracks on the NASCAR circuit. He attributed the empty seats to scorching temperatures, suggesting NASCAR fans sought shade to escape the heat. However, NASCAR fans rejected Gluck’s defense, countering that in the Brickyard 400’s glory days, every seat brimmed with spectators regardless of weather. They shared old photos of overflowing stands, pressing Gluck on social media with claims that his excuses fell flat. Undeterred, Gluck doubled down, insisting NASCAR’s current attendance aligns with modern standards and reflects a healthy sport. NASCAR fans fired back, arguing a half-empty Indianapolis Motor Speedway projects a poor image for a race once considered a pinnacle of NASCAR’s schedule.