Over the years, Netflix has launched a plethora of sports shows and documentaries about the NBA, soccer, and rugby. However, NASCAR remains highly unexplored and it's about time they produce a series on it. For those unaware of what NASCAR is all about, it is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is known for stock car racing. It's an interesting and unique concept. Think of fast cars, professional drivers, adrenaline, and endless thrills. That's NASCAR in a nutshell.
NASCAR has fans who have been loyal to the sport since the late 1940s. It has witnessed its own share of ups and downs over the years, and anyone who has followed it extensively will tell you that it is anything but devoid of action.
For those reasons and more, we think it has all the ingredients of a hit Netflix show.
Most Popular Automobile Shows And Documentaries On Netflix
Arguably the most popular OTT platform across the globe, Netflix, over the years has kept audiences worldwide entertained with their shows and films. What makes Netflix stand out compared to its contemporaries is the variety it has to offer - genres, to be specific. One such genre that has gained popularity in recent times is sports, which became pretty evident with the success of Netflix Originals 'Formula 1 - Drive to Survive', 'Home Game', 'The Last Dance'; - shows that went on to become a raging hit, not just among fans of that particular sport but also among the general audience.
'Formula 1 - Drive to Survive' for example, received unanimous praise as it gave automobile lovers and several other binge watchers an insight of what happens behind the scenes. Other Netflix motorsports shows too have proven their popularity amongst binge-watchers. 'Hyperdrive' and 'Fastest Car' are two such notable shows that attracted viewers around the world.
Automobile lovers are no strangers to the world of motorsports. It's a massive deal when the dynamics of such high octane sports is translated to a show or a documentary. Whether you want to call it an honest peek into the inside world of motorsports or a PR gig, it's hard to argue against the efficacy of it. These shows grab eyeballs and generate revenue for Netflix.
Related: The One NASCAR Podcast You Should Be Listening To
The Ever-Growing Popularity Of NASCAR
What started off as a not-so-competitive sport back in the late 1940s has grown into one of the most popular sports in the United States. According to HowStuffWorks, NASCAR is the second-highest rated regular-season sport on television. The sport boasts an estimated 75 million fans, who collectively purchase more than $2 billion in licensed products every year.
Why This Is The Right Time To Launch A NASCAR Show
While viewers have been treated to plenty of sports shows and documentaries over the years, there haven't been many shows or movies related to NASCAR. Given the nature of the events related to stock car racing, a Netflix Original on this exciting concept of motorsports could be exactly what viewers need right now.
From the good-old-days within the boundaries of Florida to the recent global expansion, the sport has come a long way. In 2006, Toyota announced they would be joining NASCAR. What followed was an immediate success for Toyota, winning several races off performances from the likes of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. There has also been a trend of big-name drivers who have crossed over from Formula One or other motorsports to join NASCAR. This has further helped in NASCAR's bid towards global expansion.
The details above point towards a recipe of a sleeper hit Netflix series. Be it a fiction story or a documentary that covers insights about the sport. Think of a motorsports fiction about a Formula One champion whose life has turned upside down and he decides to make a comeback by entering the NASCAR scene. Or a documentary that focusses on every little thing about the world of stock car racing. From the types of cars to the number of laps to the psychological aspect of the sport. It is a goldmine; a sub-genre that needs to be explored. The thrill and drama that translates on the screen in the form of a Netflix show will attract the attention of all automobile lovers and NASCAR fans.