Jeff Gluck’s famous “Was it a good race?” poll on X has become the Monday morning truth serum for NASCAR fans. This week, the verdict on Gateway sits at 58% yes, which, if we’re being honest, is about as lukewarm as it gets. The race itself had its share of talking points: Denny Hamlin’s win, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney’s dust-up, Joey Logano flexing strategy muscles, and some tense playoff implications that kept the field edgy.

Yet, despite all that, the fanbase still seems split down the middle. And that split? It’s nothing new. Week after week, no matter the track, no matter the drama, NASCAR seems to find itself caught between two very different expectations. The bigger question is: Why can’t fans ever agree?

The never-ending tug-of-war between fans and the sport

When it comes to

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