Dear NASCAR fans,
Now that the confetti has fallen and another NASCAR season has come to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say something very simple: thank you.
Thank you for your passion, your loyalty, your energy, and, yes, even your opinions about what we should be doing better.
Whether you're watching the Cup Series on Sunday, following the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series or Craftsman Truck Series, cheering on your favorite driver in the Whelen Modified Tour or spending a Saturday night with family and friends at your local short track, you are the heartbeat of NASCAR.
And what a season it has been.
From Tyler Reddick's emotional Daytona 500 victory alongside Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin and the entire 23XI Racing team, to making history on the streets of Naval Base Coronado in San Diego as we honored our nation's heroes, to the return of The Chase and 10 pressure-packed races that culminated in Kyle Larson lifting the Bill France Cup for the third time.
And beyond the Cup Series, we witnessed incredible competition, celebrated new champions and watched the next generation of drivers make their mark throughout NASCAR. From our national series to the local tracks that are the foundation of our sport, there were countless moments that reminded us why we love racing.
But 2026 was also a year of tremendous heartbreak.
We lost an American badass in Kyle Busch. A fierce competitor, an incredible talent and someone who meant so much to our sport. His absence is felt every single week.
And yet, through that loss, we were reminded of something that makes NASCAR different. Seeing fans across the country raise eight fingers on Lap 8, and watching our entire industry rally around Samantha, Brexton and Lennix, was a powerful reminder that NASCAR has always been about more than racing.
We are a family. We compete fiercely; we don't always agree, but when it matters most, we come together.
That is something I hope we never lose.
In my 30 years in this sport, I've been fortunate to witness some incredible moments, remarkable champions and extraordinary performances. What Kyle Larson and his team accomplished this season deserves a place alongside some of NASCAR's greatest achievements.
But what has always made this sport special to me isn't just what happens on the race track. It's the people who surround it.
It's the families who have passed their love of NASCAR from one generation to the next. It's the fans who travel hundreds of miles to attend a race, the volunteers and local communities who keep grassroots racing alive and the passionate supporters who make NASCAR unlike anything else in sports.
When I was named CEO earlier this year, I wrote to you about how important our fans would be in shaping NASCAR's future. After spending this season listening to so many of you, I believe that more than ever.
I know there are things we need to do better. I know we won't always agree on every decision. And I know that your time, your passion and your loyalty are things we must continue to earn, never simply expect.
That's a responsibility I take seriously, and one our entire NASCAR team embraces.
We have an incredible history, some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and so much opportunity ahead of us. I'm excited about where we're going, and equally committed to preserving the traditions and experiences that made all of us fall in love with NASCAR in the first place.
So, from all of us at NASCAR, thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for caring as deeply as you do. And thank you for continuing to push us to be better.
Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy holiday season.
We can't wait to see you back at the race track in 2027.
— Steve O'Donnell
