NASCAR’s decision to turn down a research partnership with Fred Lorenzen’s family has raised uncomfortable questions about the sport’s responsibility toward former drivers. And whether business interests could be part of the reason it wants to keep its distance.
The proposal was aimed at studying chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among former racers, a subject that could bring renewed scrutiny to the dangers drivers faced for decades before modern safety measures became standard. A wider investigation could reveal the long-term consequences of repeated head impacts, raise questions about what NASCAR knew about those risks and put pressure on the organization to do more for retired competitors.
NASCAR has not said that financial or reputational concerns influenced its decision. But its refusal to join the initiative, despite the family’s willingness to contribute significant funding, has left fans questioning why the sport does not want to be involved.
The controversy comes after the confirmation that Lorenzen, a NASCAR Hall of Famer who died in December 2024, had Stage 3 CTE, being the first driver to be diagnosed with it.
His family worked for more than six months to secure NASCAR’s support for research led by Boston University’s CTE Center. The proposal called for NASCAR to contribute up to $1 million annually over three years. The family had already pledged $1 million of its own, and Lorenzen’s son Chris offered to match NASCAR’s contribution.
NASCAR declined the offer.
NASCAR Explained Its Decision
Feb 7, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Former NASCAR HOF Inductee’s Bobby Allison and Fred Lorenzen are honored by Winston Kelly, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, at Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn ImagesCredit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
The sanctioning body pointed to its existing medical partnerships and safety programs, including concussion testing, neurologists at race care centers, helmet improvements and research with Wake Forest University using mouthpiece sensors to measure drivers’ head movements.
“Our decision should not be interpreted as a reflection on the importance or value of this work,” NASCAR said. “Rather, it reflects our commitment to continuing this longstanding, medically informed approach to driver health and wellness and to focusing our resources on the research, technologies and safety initiatives we believe can have the greatest impact.”
However, the initiatives NASCAR show largely focus on protecting current drivers. The Lorenzen family’s proposal also addressed the generation of racers who competed before HANS devices, SAFER barriers and today’s safety standards were introduced.
His daughter, Amanda Lorenzen Gardstrom, questioned whether NASCAR had any CTE-specific programs to help drivers after retirement. That is a significant gap in the organization’s response: explaining how it intends to prevent future injuries does not answer what it plans to do for former drivers who may already be suffering from the consequences.
Could CTE Research Create an Uncomfortable Problem for NASCAR?
A comprehensive study could have implications beyond medical research. If it establishes a clearer link between years of racing and neurological damage among former drivers, NASCAR could face difficult questions about the risks competitors were exposed to, how those risks were handled and what support should be available after retirement.
There could also be reputational and financial consequences if the findings increase pressure on NASCAR to take responsibility for the long-term health of former competitors. None of this proves that such concerns motivated the decision, but it is difficult to ignore the questions raised by NASCAR’s refusal to participate.
Fans Question NASCAR Leadership
Fans have not hidden their frustration.
“Been finding myself increasingly disgusted by the actions of NASCAR leadership recently,” one wrote.
Another pointed to the generation of drivers who raced before modern safety improvements: “I’ve been saying for a while now there needs to be a study on CTE in motorsports, no way drivers from a pre safer barrier pre hans era haven’t been permanently affected by those impacts.”
The concerns have gained more attention after the announcement that Darrell Waltrip has frontotemporal degeneration, with his family saying the condition is complicated by possible CTE linked to his racing career. This is not a confirmed CTE diagnosis, but it adds to the questions surrounding the long-term health of retired drivers.
Lorenzen’s family is moving forward without NASCAR’s backing. Its funding will support research at Boston University and establish the Fred Lorenzen Memorial HelpLine to help families dealing with suspected CTE and persistent concussion symptoms.
NASCAR has made significant progress in improving safety for today’s competitors. But its refusal to support this particular initiative leaves a bitter taste: is the organization prepared to confront the long-term consequences of its past, even if the answers could bring scrutiny, financial pressure and uncomfortable questions about its responsibility to former drivers?
My love for motorsports started in my childhood in Tunisia, watching races with my family. Fast forward to today, … More about Farah Ben Gamra