Ask anyone who’s been around the track long enough, and they’ll tell you — grudge racing ain’t what it used to be. But is that a good thing or a bad thing?
A decade ago, grudge racing was raw. It was personal. It was built on late-night phone calls, quiet cash bets, and settling scores under the lights. If you knew, you knew — and if you didn’t, well, you probably weren’t supposed to.
Much longer than 10 years ago, I remember being a kid at the track and seeing two racers lay down 5K on a Friday night. These weren’t promods, these were grudge N/T cars. Blankets over the hood when it was popped, no one talking about what they had in their car, just smack talk with home built cars. It was arguably one of the most exciting races I ever saw. A Malibu hitting the brakes on the finish line showing everyone how much he still had.
Then vs. Now: What’s Changed?
More Exposure, Less Mystery
Ten years ago, the best grudge races weren’t streamed. You had to be there. Now, it’s different. Social media and live feeds have blown the doors wide open. You can watch races from your couch — and while that’s great for the fans, many argue it’s taken some of the grit and secrecy out of the scene.
Big Money, Big Pressure
Big Money, Big Pressure
The money is bigger now — way bigger. Some grudge races today have more on the line than what you’d see in a small Pro Mod event back in the day. That’s brought in more structure, more tech, and sometimes more drama. The question is, has that pressure elevated the game or killed the fun?
The Rise of the “Show”
The Rise of the “Show”
Today’s grudge scene is also about putting on a show. From flyer battles to promo videos and callouts that feel more like pro wrestling promos — marketing has become part of the race. Some love the entertainment. Others miss the simplicity. With advancements in tuning, track prep, and tire science, races are faster and more competitive. But is that a better race — or just a cleaner one? In the old days, you’d see two cars fight it out even if the prep was trash. That unpredictability had its own kind of magic.
So what do you think? has grudge racing changed? or are the roots still there? Was it better before, or is it better now?
