How SRX was not the AEW of Motorsports

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For a half-dozen weeks earlier this summer, motorsports fans had another platform in which to quench their thirst for auto racing.  Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham had teamed up to develop a new racing series, the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Series. With it’s XFL-type name aside, SRX actually resembled the IROC series. For those unfamiliar with either SRX or IROC, both brought together drivers from different disciplines of racing, from NASCAR to Indy car, Trans Am to Modified, with even a local driver from the various tracks the series visited. Each race took place on a Saturday night at a famed short track including Slinger Speedway, Nashville and El Dora, with a dozen drivers, including many a legend and Hall of Famer competing in identical cars.

If I’m recalling correctly, SRX came about shortly after Tony Stewart had a falling out of some kind with NASCAR (over a lack of communication if I recall correctly) with NASCAR that led to the departure of El Dora’s annual Dirt Derby from the Camping World Truck Series schedule. 

The timing was, I am sure, was coincidence but initially some might have been forgiven if they wondered if SRX was Tony’s way of forming his own racing league to compete with NASCAR – a motorsports version of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Cody Rhodes’ brainchild of competing with WWE.

Not quite.

While AEW adapted a business model of constantly telling everyone who would listen they were there to put a scare into Vince McMahon’s WWE, SRX was content to provide a fun and entertaining show that was part all-star game, part throwback and, for a couple of young stars, a chance for national recognition.  

Stewart, Evernham and company had obviously not rushed into this, just trying to get their product in front of America’s eyes before they were fully ready. The presentation was as slick as the technical aspect of the show was flawless. Having former ESPN play-by-play commentator Alan Bestwick (with guests Dario Franchitti, James Hinchcliffe and Danica Patrick) gave the show a lot of credibility right off the bat.

There was a lot of great storylines involved: Paul Tracy becoming the SRX’s “heel” becoming involved in altercations with just about every other driver in the field. Modified Driver Doug Coby, USAC Silver Crown Champion Kody Swanson and Trans-Am Champion Ernie Francis Jr. getting to shine in the national spotlight. Helio Castroneves winning the first Heat race of the series, just weeks after winning the Indy 500. Former NASCAR Cup champions – and father and son – Bill and Chase Elliott racing each other in the season finale at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.

And all of these storylines could be enjoyed when taken on their own merits, without a constant comparison to “the Big Show.” There were no snide remarks and barely hidden shots at NASCAR: “Well, unlike other racing series, this is how we do things here in SRX!”

This has been my issue with AEW. They seem to be more determined to diminish the accomplishments of their competition than they do building up their own brand. Of course, it doesn’t help that just about every major name on their roster was developed elsewhere.

The irony of SRX is, even though the main draw were legendary drivers like Tony Stewart, Bill Elliott, Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves and others, they were able to give some young drivers (series regular Ernie Francis, Jr., Truck Series regular Hailie Deegan, Midwest short track ace Luke Fenhaus, Coby, Swanson and others) a chance to shine on network television as SRX’s Superstar Saturday Night aired on CBS.  And SRX built up the reputations of the NASCAR and Indy stars which made a good showing by someone like Doug Coby all the more impressive.

But while SRX might not have been AEW, NASCAR was a little like WWE (or WWF) back in the 80s when they seemed to refuse to acknowledge any other wrestling organization existed. There was no mention of SRX on any broadcast or platform that I saw (and admittedly I could have missed something) even when reigning Cup champion Chase Elliott made an appearance. Mind you, Darrell Wallace, Jr. did try to reference it – without actually referencing it – during a rather awkward with Michael Waltrip.

But comparisons to wrestling aside, SRX was a great addition to the motorsports world. While there were certainly comparisons (speaking of) to the IROC series, more current top-level NASCAR stars would be needed to truly make this a competition between drivers of different disciplines. Hailie Deegan is certainly a future star but is only competing in the Truck Series with her Cup days a ways off. Having Chase Elliott, reigning Cup champion, in for a race was great, especially racing against his Dad. However, the rest of the NASCAR contingent (Michael Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Bobby Labonte, and Stewart) hadn’t competed at NASCAR’s Cup Series in some time. As much as watching Bill Elliott with my Dad was a draw for me, I’d also like to see Chase Elliott come back for season 2 and bring, say, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex, Jr and some others (what about Jimmie Johnson who could represent Indy Car and NASCAR) – schedule permitting, of course.

All in all, however, SRX’s first season was a success and race fans will await the follow-up.