Kenny Wallace, the NASCAR veteran and podcast host, recently broke his silence amid a firestorm of accusations claiming he is a paid promoter or “shill” for NASCAR. In a candid episode of his podcast “Coffee with Kenny,” Wallace confronted these conspiracy theories and financial allegations head-on, defending his positive stance on the sport’s current state.

Wallace bluntly dismissed the rumors that NASCAR pays him to speak favorably about the sport. He stated, “Is NASCAR paying me? Number one, not a dime. They’re not paying me anything. Actually, it’s opposite. I’m making money off of NASCAR.” He explained that he personally pays NASCAR $10,000 annually for his hard card-a pit pass required to race and access events-emphasizing that he is financially invested in the sport rather than being paid by it.

He highlighted that everyone involved in NASCAR, including himself, benefits financially from the sport’s visibility through podcasts, sponsorships, and racing activities. Wallace contrasted this with other topics, noting, “Oh my God, if I were to ever talk about politics, I’d get my a** chewed out,” underscoring his focus on NASCAR-related content.

The backlash against Wallace intensified after he defended the controversial May Talladega race, which attracted four million viewers but was criticized by many fans as a “gridlock” event with little exciting action. Critics accused him of trolling or being bribed to praise the race.

Wallace responded firmly, stating, “You’re not going to convince me that NASCAR is doing bad when the TV ratings are up, when the grandstands are doing good, when TV is paying billions of dollars and they’re selling out sponsorship. No matter what you say, NASCAR is the biggest bang for the buck.”

He described his optimism as a strategic, positive mental attitude rather than blind loyalty. While acknowledging NASCAR’s flaws, he rejected doomsday narratives about the sport’s decline. Wallace pointed to several indicators of NASCAR’s health, such as Prime Video’s sponsorship sellouts, rebounding attendance, and technological advancements that have reduced cheating-citing past tactics like air-sucking valve covers that are no longer possible due to tighter tech regulations.

Wallace admitted that the Next Gen car requires some tweaks, including more horsepower and better tire variability, but he firmly rejected claims that NASCAR is dying. He noted that fan frustration often stems from their favorite drivers not winning, saying, “When Kyle Larson wins, he’s going to take victories away from other people and that’s going to piss you off. Some of you get upset, it’s because your driver didn’t win. So you hate NASCAR.”

Wallace believes the negative backlash comes from an emotional place within the fanbase rather than reflecting reality. He cited his own polls and data from NASCAR reporter Jeff Gluck to assert that over 75% of people love NASCAR. He concluded with a plea to fans, “I’m not going to argue with 20% of you that are mad because your driver didn’t win,” urging them to judge races on merit, not misery.

In summary, Kenny Wallace firmly rejected claims that he has any secret financial deal with NASCAR, clarified that he actually pays the sport for access, and defended his positive outlook on NASCAR’s current health and future. He acknowledged some areas needing improvement but stressed that the sport is thriving in many ways, urging fans to focus on the bigger picture rather than negativity rooted in personal disappointments.

This detailed explanation came in response to a heated fan debate following Wallace’s defense of a controversial race and accusations of bias, marking a significant moment where he openly addressed and dismantled the conspiracy theories surrounding his relationship with NASCAR.