Scott Dixon Heads to the Brickyard Despite Social Media Backlash Over NASCAR Comments

Scott Dixon isn’t hiding from NASCAR fans.

He’s joining them.

Just one week after some NASCAR fans took issue with comments he made about Cup racing, the six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday to take in the Brickyard 400. Dixon’s remarks, made after IndyCar’s race at Nashville Superspeedway, were clipped and widely shared online, leading some fans to interpret them as a shot at NASCAR.

The full context painted a different picture.

Dixon was answering a question about race length and television viewing habits when he joked that he finds it difficult to watch an entire NASCAR Cup race because the longer events can “allow for a nap.” The lighthearted comment quickly spread across social media, sparking criticism from some fans despite others viewing it as a harmless opinion.

Rather than fueling the rivalry between IndyCar and NASCAR, Dixon showed up at one of stock car racing’s biggest events.

The New Zealander has long been a supporter of motorsports as a whole and has frequently attended races outside of IndyCar throughout his Hall of Fame career.

His appearance at the Brickyard also served as a reminder that many drivers don’t view the IndyCar-NASCAR relationship through the same tribal lens that often dominates social media.

While fans may debate which series produces the better racing, competitors across the garage frequently support one another and appreciate excellence regardless of discipline.

On Sunday, that meant Dixon spending his afternoon at one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, watching Corey Heim capture the Brickyard 400 while Todd Gilliland claimed the $1 million NASCAR In-Season Challenge prize.

Sometimes, a social media firestorm is exactly that.

Sometimes, it’s just social media.