Fans of NASCAR are up in arms after Netflix missed the mark with their coverage of one of the biggest controversies in the sport’s recent history. The intense race at Martinsville Speedway in the fall of 2024, which was supposed to be a pivotal moment, turned into a saga of suspicion and manipulation that left fans seething.
The drama unfolded as William Byron battled for a place in the Championship 4, only to be surrounded by questionable tactics from Chevrolet and Toyota teams. The so-called “Chevy blockade” formed behind Byron, with cars like Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain seemingly refusing to make a move to pass him. Crew communications hinted at coordination, and Bubba Wallace even appeared to fake a tire issue to aid Christopher Bell, who later faced penalties for an illegal move.
The aftermath saw NASCAR handing out fines and penalties to multiple teams, altering the championship outcomes and igniting a debate on the sport’s playoff format. With such high stakes and real drama on display, fans were eager to see this scandal take center stage in Netflix’s “NASCAR: Full Speed” Season 2.
However, when the new season premiered on May 7, 2025, fans were left stunned and ultimately disappointed. The series, which promised an in-depth look at the 2024 NASCAR season, failed to address the Martinsville controversy adequately, leaving a glaring gap in its storytelling.
While “Full Speed” did showcase emotional and personal moments from drivers like Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney, it fell short of capturing the raw, unfiltered drama that fans craved. In comparison to Netflix’s successful F1 series, “Drive to Survive,” which delves deep into controversies and conflicts within the sport, “Full Speed” appeared sanitized and lacking in true grit.
Viewers expressed their frustration online, criticizing the docuseries for glossing over essential storylines and opting for a more polished, PR-friendly approach. Many felt that the show missed a golden opportunity to showcase the real, authentic chaos that defines NASCAR, choosing instead to focus on feel-good moments.
The outcry from fans highlights a growing dissatisfaction with the direction of “Full Speed” and underscores the need for a more honest portrayal of NASCAR’s intense competition and behind-the-scenes drama. If Netflix wants to truly capture the hearts of both existing fans and newcomers, it must embrace the raw and sometimes messy reality of the sport, rather than shying away from it in favor of a more sanitized narrative.