A few years ago, Formula 1 was fighting for attention in the American market. The races were elite, the names global, but the audience? Small. Then came Drive to Survive. Netflix cameras followed drivers from Monaco to Montreal, not just during the races but deep into their rivalries, personal lives, and garage breakdowns. Suddenly, F1 had a new fanbase—young, diverse, and completely hooked.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes Team Principal, even said, “There’s no doubt that Drive to Survive has played a massive part in Formula 1’s rise in America. It’s storytelling, and it works.” McLaren CEO Zak Brown echoed that, calling it the “Netflix effect.” He credited the show for bringing in younger, more diverse fans and even said it gave the sport a fresh image. He was right. Formula 1 exploded in popularity. The races sold out. Merch sales surged. New fans, who had never watched a lap before, were now diehard viewers, all thanks to a show.

So, with Formula 1 gaining major ground, thanks to a Netflix documentary, it’s no surprise that NASCAR fans started asking, “Why not us?” But here’s the twist—not everyone’s thrilled with the direction it’s taking. As NASCAR leans into its streaming era with Amazon Prime Video, the backlash from certain corners of the fanbase has prompted one outspoken insider to clap back.

Insider calls out unwanted trolling!

The 2025 NASCAR season is transformational. From International races to some exciting rule changes, NASCAR made a fresh start this year. However, what made the biggest was NASCAR’s new media deal, which included streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video for the first time. While the platform will get five full cup race coverages, many fans weren’t happy with the decision. Now, NASCAR insider Spider has called out these fans with a sterling comment.

On a recent episode of Rubbin’ is Racing, Spider didn’t hold back. He called out a segment of NASCAR’s fanbase for criticizing Amazon Prime’s growing involvement in the sport. While speaking about Prime Video’s decision to produce a full fetched documentary on Kyle Larson he admitted that the backlash is short-sighted. He reminded fans just how powerful platforms like Amazon and Netflix can be when it comes to pulling in new audiences.

“All these people that are skeptical and reluctant to welcome Amazon into the sport are quick with that assumption. So many people have Amazon, just like so many subscribe to Netflix. And then what do they do? They just randomly put on this F1 series, and next thing you know, all these people who didn’t care about racing are now diehard fake F1 fans… Amazon has such a big customer base that this just seems like a very good onboarding ramp for getting new fans in the sport,” he said.

Spider isn’t wrong. Amazon Prime Video is already one of the largest content platforms on the planet. With millions of subscribers in the U.S. alone, its reach dwarfs most traditional networks. And now, it’s going all-in with NASCAR. This isn’t just branding. This is an aggressive play to build narratives and reach fresh audiences. Let’s talk numbers. Last year, Kyle Larson’s dream of completing “The Double” was crushed by weather delays and logistics. But, he’s far from done and Prime Video is keeping a close tab on the HMS star.

Despite the failure, it became one of the biggest stories of the season. Now, in 2025, Larson’s back. And this time, Prime Video isn’t just slapping a logo on his car. They’re producing a full documentary, tracking his two-year journey from heartbreak to ‘maybe’ redemption. That’s not all. Prime Video is also behind a four-part Earnhardt docuseries, set to premiere Memorial Day weekend. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Cynthia Hill, it promises deep insight into Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s career, family, and legacy.

And Prime isn’t the first platform that is trying to produce a series around NASCAR. The sport tested the Netflix waters in 2024. The NASCAR: Full Speed series followed 16 Cup Series drivers through the 2023 season. It had all the behind-the-scenes drama fans love—crashes, rivalries, tension. But the series was short, just five episodes, and didn’t get the desired support from the platform. The launch date of the second season is yet to be announced.

The demand for an “F1 blueprint” is valid. But, NASCAR is trying. The problem might not be with the content but with some of the fans refusing to embrace the shift. That’s what Spider is pointing at. Instead of whining about new platforms, maybe it’s time to accept that storytelling, done right, builds the sport. But ahead of Larson’s other double attempt, he will be fighting for a win at Darlington this weekend.

NASCAR legend backs Kyle Larson to win at Darlington

As Kyle Larson preps for his 2025 redemption arc with Amazon in his corner, he’s got another challenge on his hands this weekend: Darlington Raceway. But here’s the kicker—he’s not facing it alone. NASCAR legend Terry Labonte is backing him all the way. The two-time cup series champion isn’t just hopeful. He is confident that Larson will get to the victory lane.

Notably, this weekend, Larson will honor Labonte with a throwback paint scheme for the Goodyear 400—a tribute to the Southern 500 win Labonte scored back in 2003. And ahead of that, Labonte backed the Hendrick Motorsports driver to win the race. “The most exciting part is having Kyle Larson drive it. I knew going in that we had a shot to win. He just does a fantastic job everywhere he goes, every weekend,” said Labonte.

This will surely boost Larson’s confidence as Labonte is someone who knows how to win at Darlington. The NASCAR Hall of Famer registered his first (1980) and last (2003) Cup Series wins at this iconic track. And Larson isn’t new to Darlington’s quirks. With one win already under his belt this season and five top-10 finishes, he is surely one to watch out for his weekend.