Despite Netflix’s Shocking Delay, Steve Phelps Backs ‘NASCAR: Full Speed’ Production With Surprising Reveal

NASCAR is growing its wings. For 76 years, the stock car racing series has predominantly targeted a specific demographic: American males. However, the sport is turning over a new leaf with new ventures. One of those was releasing a documentary on the sport on Netflix, a streaming service giant catering to a global audience. And with the results looking encouraging, the sport’s executives are ready for the 2025 chapter.

‘NASCAR: Full Speed’ was released on 30th January, this year, right before the Busch Light Clash kicked off on February 2nd. The timing was perfect for fans, as they could briefly sum up 2023 in a nutshell. However, that timeline is not possible for 2025 – yet NASCAR President Steve Phelps is not bothered.

A diverse audience is occupying NASCAR

Women have participated in NASCAR since its inception in 1949. Sara Christian was the first lady racer to don a helmet and drive a race car at the first race in Charlotte. However, the fair gender’s participation in the sport has been slim – in the modern era, only Danica Patrick made waves in the Cup Series. So getting hints at breaking that generational mainstay is certainly a positive hint for the sport’s higher-ups. They have already succeeded in diversifying the sports audience. This year’s Chicago Street Race saw 27,188 nonlocal attendees who came from 24 countries and 46 states.

So even though fans are unhappy, NASCAR is delighted with its Netflix project. Recently, NASCAR Studios and Words + Pictures announced its docuseries’ second season will debut in April, instead of January. This drew backlash from fans who said that would be too late for a 2024 recap. Steve Phelps made it clear his top priority was to attract more female audiences.

He claimed that the goal was reached in a recent interview with Racer. “The audience was significantly…the majority was female, which is obviously important. Most were not existing race fans that were watching it. I think it created race fans.”

On that positive improvement note, the production team formed Full Speed Entertainment. This will develop premium racing content, ranging from documentaries, series, and special events to studio shows, podcasts, and more. Phelps emphasized the objective for 2025, as he continued, “It created an opportunity for us to be in someone’s considerations based on channels that are normally looking at potential fans that just aren’t coming to our channels. So you have to meet those fans where they are. They’re on Netflix? Great, we’re going to meet them there. They’re on Amazon? Great, we’re going to meet them there… If they’re on YouTube or any other channel, we’re going to meet them there.” 

Despite fans’ criticism of the release dates, officials put forward a legitimate reason for it.

Attracting new faces

Last time, fans were treated to the drivers’ lives during the off-season. As the docuseries aired in January, people could watch see Denny Hamlin‘s house looks like and how Bubba Wallace trains himself with unhindered focus. In 2025, however, they will need to divide their attention between an ongoing Cup Series season and also a rehash of 2024. That is what ticked off most fans, as tight races at Darlington, Bristol, and Talladega will be flagged off at the same time. Tim Mullen and Jackie Decker, executive producers on ‘NASCAR: Full Speed‘, tried to explain.

“Last season we had some great, great characters, and some great storyline came from that, and it’s the same again this year, which is in March or April of next year,” Decker explained. “Yeah, the Netflix schedule is a little bit thicker this time in February, so the next iteration of the show, season two, will drop in April,” Mullen followed up.

The spring date could actually work in the sport’s favor.

The Clash, Daytona 500, and usually the first three or four races of the year, see an uptick in viewership. By the time April rolls around, that interest dies out a bit. It’s right when NCAA March Madness ends and NASCAR might gain popularity in an otherwise slow period in professional sports. Fans will be fully engaged with the races, but new viewers will undoubtedly be drawn to the captivating docuseries coming in April.

So in spite of the speculation and misgivings among fans, NASCAR’s Netflix project is working. As the production gets underway, let us wait for another thrilling binge-watch next year.