Man, NASCAR Just Ain’t What It Used to Be

As a Texas boy born in the ’80s, I basically grew up with NASCAR. Back in the ’90s and 2000s, Sundays meant the whole family crowded around the TV, crushing wings and hollering at Dale Earnhardt or Jeff Gordon tearing it up. That was life down here — NASCAR was our damn religion. These days? I still catch a race now and then, but I’d be lying if I said I was as into it. The sport’s just changed too much. The playoffs, stage racing… feels like a made-for-TV circus instead of who’s the fastest out there. And those Next Gen cars? Hell, they all look the same to me — no more Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge blood feuds. Don’t even get me started on the drivers. Used to be full of hotheads who’d slam a helmet or throw fists. Now it’s all sponsor talk and “media ready” sound bites. Still, when Daytona or Talladega rolls around, I crack a beer and get that same old adrenaline rush. Guess some habits die hard. Even if I grumble, it’s still our sport. Just not the one we grew up with. #NASCAR #Throwback #TexasLife #RacingDrama