For years, NASCAR fans have been griping that the sport’s lost its knack for building new stars. They point to the Cup Series’ focus on big names and flashy sponsorships, leaving grassroots racing—Late Model Stock events, dirt tracks, and short tracks—in the dust. Not to mention the disparity in the price purse from Cup to Truck levels, making it tough for the young talents or hardworking teams to break through the ranks.
Last weekend in Michigan saw the Cup team draw from the prize purse of $11,055,250, whereas the Truck Series event couldn’t even break the one million mark, at $ 782,900. One can only imagine how tough the situation will be at the grassroots level. Fans have been vocal about this disparity and have demanded a change in how the different leagues and series treat their drivers. And it looks like NASCAR has been keeping a tab on the chatter that has been going on social media.
FloRacing and NASCAR boost the Virginia Triple Crown
NASCAR and FloRacing just dropped a game-changer for the Virginia Late Model Stock Triple Crown, pumping a massive $50,000 into the purse for this summer’s showdown. The series, spanning the South Boston 200, Hampton Heat 200, and ValleyStar Credit Union 300, used to pay $7,000 for the best average finish, with $2,000 and $1,000 for second and third. Now, the champ walks away with $20,000, second gets $10,000, third nabs $7,500, fourth scores $5,000, and the rest of the top-10 average finishers pocket $1,000 each. FloRacing’s also stepping up as the presenting partner, streaming all three races live to a national audience.
This isn’t just a cash splash—it’s a lifeline for Late Model teams grinding on tight budgets. Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Regional’s managing director, called it a “win for everyone in the whole community,” part of ongoing chats with FloRacing to grow tent pole events. The Triple Crown’s already a crown jewel, with automatic Martinsville berths for South Boston and Langley winners, but this purse hike makes it a magnet for talent. Fans on X are buzzing, with one post hailing it as “NASCAR finally investing in the future.”
FloRacing’s Michael Rigsby admitted their core fans lean dirt racing, but pavement’s been gaining steam. “Dirt racing has always been our alpha and omega of sorts but with our NASCAR partnership and the big events that we’ve gradually added, we’re seeing significant growth in pavement year-over-year,” he said, explaining why they bet big on the Triple Crown’s pedigree. The move’s strategic—big winner payouts grab headlines and draw eyeballs, a trick Rigsby’s seen work in dirt racing. He’s banking on this top-down approach to spark growth, with plans to beef up the rest of the purse later.
More money, more glory.
Who’s ready for the 2025 Virginia Triple Crown? pic.twitter.com/jR5CikX15n
— NASCAR Regional (@NASCARRegional) June 10, 2025
The ValleyStar Credit Union 300’s $32,000-to-win purse is now under pressure, with FloRacing and CARS Tour’s $50,000 Throwback Race at Hickory raising the bar. Dennewitz stayed coy about Martinsville’s response, saying NASCAR’s focused on “making these races bigger and better.” Clay Campbell, Martinsville’s president, hinted at more to come, promising fans great racing and drama across all three tracks. This move’s a direct answer to fans’ calls for grassroots love, setting the stage for new stars to shine.
Dale Jr.’s Budweiser throwback lights up the CARS Tour
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is throwing it back in style, reuniting with Budweiser for a Late Model Stock race in the CARS Tour at Anderson Motor Speedway on August 16. Rocking a No. 8 paint scheme inspired by his 2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game car, he’s promoting the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol on August 2, pitting the Atlanta Braves against the Cincinnati Reds. “I’ve watched that July 2001 race at Daytona so many times. It’s such a great memory for me. I am excited that we have this chance to collaborate with Bud and LMB to bring that scheme back,” Earnhardt Jr. said. This follows his November South Carolina 400 run, where he revived his classic Budweiser look for the first time since 2007.
Budweiser’s Todd Allen called the fan response to their last reunion “incredible,” hyping the MLB tie-in as the perfect stage to revive the iconic design. The wrap’s a nod to one of NASCAR’s most beloved eras, blending Earnhardt Jr.’s star power with grassroots racing’s heart. Fans on Reddit are losing it, with one calling it “the nostalgia hit we needed.” His CARS Tour start isn’t just a one-off—it’s a signal that NASCAR’s doubling down on connecting Cup legends to short tracks, answering fan pleas for more big names at local venues.
Earnhardt Jr.’s run could draw new eyes to the CARS Tour, a breeding ground for talent, and inspire young drivers to chase their dreams. We have seen Bubba Pollard and Brenden Butterbean Queen grow popular among the NASCAR circle, and that is the sort of impact FloRacing and NASCAR are hoping for the Triple Crown Event. More money, more press, more eyeballs on the sport, and this is what will help bring the local heroes and talented drivers to the big stage.
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