NASCAR has always thrived on instinct, skill, and raw competition. But in recent years, critics have accused the organization of making unnecessary changes and alienating its die-hard fanbase. The introduction of the playoff system, stage racing, and the charter model has sparked endless debates. Now, NASCAR is once again under fire—this time for its push toward artificial intelligence.
Ahead of the 2025 season, NASCAR’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve O’Donnell, revealed that the sport is exploring AI to tweak its playoff system. “When we created the playoff format, we used the best data and minds we had. But now, we can plug in AI and see what happens when we tweak the playoffs,” O’Donnell said. While officials believe AI can help predict the impact of changes, fans see it as another step away from NASCAR’s roots.
The backlash was immediate, with fans taking to social media to express their frustration. Social media erupted with backlash, with many arguing that NASCAR should listen to its fans instead of relying on algorithms. Now veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell has also voiced his frustration at the AI obsession. He called out the AI movement and revealed its potential issues.
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Michael McDowell’s concerns about AI
Spire Motorsports driver Michael McDowell has never been the one to stir controversy, but his recent comments about AI raised eyebrows. In an interview with The Athletic, the interviewer asked McDowell how much he used AI in his daily life. McDowell gave his honest thoughts on the technology’s impact. While the Spire Motorsports driver admitted not adapting it completely, he believed that AI will destroy future generations.
“I haven’t really embraced that yet. The one thing that excites me about it is time. This will give us the ability to be way, way more efficient with our time… But I’m also worried for the young generation, like my son, that you aren’t going to have the common sense, problem-solving mindset because something is doing it for you. I don’t know if that’s good for us. From an efficiency standpoint, we’ll probably go way up, but I think we’ll be dumber because of it,” McDowell admitted.
via Imago Michael McDowell
McDowell may not have aimed his words directly at NASCAR leadership, but the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. However, his words struck a chord. AI can analyze data and improve efficiency, but at what cost? His concerns reflect a bigger fear among fans—that NASCAR is prioritizing technology over the human element that makes racing special. The sport has already struggled with over-complication, and relying on AI to reconfigure its format could make things worse.
Meanwhile, AI’s role in motorsports isn’t limited to NASCAR. IndyCar recently took a bold step in embracing AI but in a completely different way. Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) made headlines by announcing a partnership with OpenAI. Using it to enhance performance. From race strategies to front-office operations, CGR sees AI as a tool to optimize their team without changing the essence of racing.
Ganassi’s move highlights a stark contrast. While NASCAR faces backlash for letting AI influence rules, IndyCar is using it to strengthen competition. CGR’s success with AI could further fuel NASCAR’s desire to incorporate Artificial Intelligence to improve the competition. One of the biggest issues NASCAR could solve using AI is making its decision-making more consistent.
Notably, in 2024, NASCAR established a team of industry experts, teams, and other people to analyze the usage of AI in the sport. If things go well, NASCAR fans might get some news soon. However, NASCAR needs to understand the implications of using AI in a sport that has thrived on human skills and a competitive nature. Amid the ongoing professional uproar, Michael McDowell also spoke about his uncommon journey to fatherhood.
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McDowell’s emotional admission about his life off the track!
Despite his firm stance on AI, people recognize Michael McDowell as much more than just a race car driver. Away from the track, he is a devoted husband and father, and one of his most personal stories has touched the hearts of many. Recently, He and his wife, Jami, made a life-changing decision when they adopted their son Lukas from China. The process was emotional and filled with challenges and uncertainty.
In a recent interview, McDowell spoke about her unusual journey to parenthood. He admitted that he and his wife were hesitant about sharing their story publicly. “To be honest, we were a little bit hesitant just because a lot of those things are pretty sensitive. Especially when you have an adopted child and you’re constantly building trust with a child that has a lot of distrust, right? Because he’s been abandoned and all those things. So, we were a little nervous about whether or not to do it,” McDowell admitted.
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But after speaking with Lukas, they decided to go through with it. “If we could share our story and it encourages somebody else to pursue adoption, then that’s great,” McDowell said. While this might be an emotional time for McDowell and his family, the veteran driver will be keen to make a return to victory lane. He made a crucial decision to join Spire Motorsports after six seasons with FRM. As the season continues to evolve, he will aim to make it count.