Kyle Busch: What's Next?

NASCAR's Grand Illusion: Same Old Song and Dance?

Alright, so the NASCAR Cup Series season finale is hitting Phoenix Raceway on November 2nd, 2025. Big whoop. NBC, Peacock, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the NBC Sports App are all gonna be fighting for your eyeballs. As if we don't have enough screens in our lives already.

Denny Hamlin’s starting first? Yawn. It's all just a carefully orchestrated performance, designed to keep the sponsors happy and the fans… well, distracted from the fact that it's the same old oval, the same old noise, and the same old manufactured drama. Chris Gayle's his crew chief. Does anyone actually care about crew chiefs outside of the pit crew themselves? Seriously.

And then there's William Byron in second, Kyle Larson in third... It's like they just pulled names out of a hat. Or, more likely, ran some algorithm to maximize "engagement." Which, let's be real, translates to "ad revenue."

Austin Cindric and Ryan Blaney round out the top five. All Team Penske. Is this racing or a corporate takeover disguised as a sport? I’m starting to think it’s the latter.

The Illusion of Choice, the Reality of Control

Look at the starting lineup: a dizzying array of names, teams, and sponsors. But how much of it is genuine competition, and how much is just… theater? They want you to think each driver has a shot. They want you to believe in the underdog, the comeback kid, the sheer unpredictable magic of the race. But the reality? It's a multi-billion dollar industry, meticulously controlled from the top down.

Carson Hocevar starting sixth... okay, I'll admit, I had to Google him. Spire Motorsports. Chevrolet. Luke Lambert. See? It’s all blending together. A blur of logos and stats designed to overwhelm the senses. You can view the full Cup Series field for the 2025 Phoenix championship race Photos: See full Cup Series field for 2025 Phoenix championship race - NASCAR.com.

Josh Berry in seventh, Alex Bowman in eighth... the names just keep coming. It’s like they’re daring you to keep up, daring you to care. But what are we really watching? Are we watching a sport, or are we watching a highly-produced commercial for motor oil and energy drinks?

I mean, let's be real, NASCAR. Is this really about skill and grit, or is it about who has the deepest pockets and the most sophisticated marketing strategy?

And HBO Max showing the race? What? Are they going to cut to commercial every five minutes to promote the new season of "House of the Dragon"? I mean, come on.

Is Anyone Still Buying This?

Chase Elliott's way back in 17th. Used to be the golden boy, right? Now he's just another face in the crowd, another cog in the machine. Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe there's still some genuine passion left in this sport. Then again, maybe I’m just getting old and cynical.

Bubba Wallace in 23rd. Tyler Reddick in 24th. It's just a parade of names and numbers. I keep waiting for something real to happen. Something that breaks through the manufactured hype. But it never does, does it?

And the fans? Are they even real fans anymore, or are they just extras in NASCAR's giant, never-ending commercial? I look at those stands, and I see a sea of branded merchandise, a chorus of carefully orchestrated cheers. It's all so… predictable.

Shane van Gisbergen starting 31st... yeah, I got nothing. I'm officially numb.

So, What's the Point Anymore?

Look, I ain't saying NASCAR is inherently evil. But let's not pretend it's some pure, unadulterated expression of athletic skill. It's a business, first and foremost. And like any business, it's designed to maximize profits, even if it means sacrificing a little bit of its soul along the way. And the Phoenix Championship Race? Just another stop on the road to that bottom line.