Dale Earnhardt Jr. Applauds NASCAR’s ‘Smartest People’ for Efforts to Protect Future of Racing

The NASCAR community has been divided over Kyle Larson’s win last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. The contracting opinions weren’t regarding the tactics or style of racing Larson used to clinic the way, but the state of short-track racing. There was a lot of hype and expectation of a tire-wear race after the spring event. However, the race turned out to be stale and uneventful with long green lap runs and a lack of passing opportunities.

Larson’s crew chief Cliff Daniels opened the floor for a dialogue with fans through his X account. There was a constant back and forth between the race fans and Daniels. Later, Chris Gabehart from the #11 team also joined in the conversation. Although not everybody agreed on the points made by Daniels, this dialogue was well received by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who also shared his two cents on the lacking short-track package.

NASCAR’s approach with short-track races affects grassroots-level racing, says Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The #5 team won their fifth race of the season by leading 462 of 500 laps of the race in Bristol. While it showed the might and the strength of the race team, it also uncovered the harsh reality of a struggling short-track package. Time and again, NASCAR has refuted the idea of an increase in horsepower or other components of the Next-Gen car. Thus putting all the onus on Goodyear to improve the state of short-track racing, which hasn’t turned out well so far.

On a broader scale, it does look like a Next-Gen car issue; it’s not the first time NASCAR’s newest invention has become a big talking point. But Cliff Daniels made some interesting points while speaking with the fan on X. “NG7 platform is here to stay, and bear in mind it’s producing some of the best INT and SSW races the sport has had in a while. Some RC races also. ST races need help; we’re all on the same page. It can be done.”

Not only that, the likes of Chris Gabehart and Ryan Bergenty also shared their opinions on the topic, which weren’t exactly in line with Daniel’s. But, despite the disagreement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was glad that experts in the sport were having an open conversation. “Pretty fun reading the dialogue on here from some crew chiefs in the business. Agree or disagree, it’s nice to hear their opinions because they are the smartest people in the room.”

Dale Jr. himself is a big short-track racing fan and just couldn’t help but pour in his thoughts as well to the discussion. However, his response is something that NASCAR should be taking note of. “The highest level of short track racing in the US is directly connected and always influencing the success of grassroots short track racing in the US.”

During the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download, the veteran racer even discussed the widespread implications of continued problems with short-track racing. Truth be told, its detrimental effect has already started to plague the most traditional format of NASCAR racing.

More short-track races could be losing dates from the NASCAR schedule

While the Superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega are the poster image of what NASCAR racing is, the short tracks hold the historic significance. Thanks to the tight space and short length of the track, the fans were treated to close contact, fender-bending style of racing. Which often led to flaring tempers and delivered a classic entertaining race that fans enjoyed.

But if you ask those fans about their favorite tracks now, they are likely to name Charlotte or Kansas. The 1.5-mile track is where the Next-Gen car has produced some good races. But unfortunately, it has come at the cost of short-track racing. Concerned by the growing trend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. opined, “I do not see short-track racing surviving this if they don’t find some solution. And it’s not out of the question to think that in just a few years, the Martinsville’s and Bristol’s are going to be really hanging on.”

Dale Jr. here highlighted how the short track could be replaced by more road course tracks or new international venues. NASCAR recently ditched a date for Richmond Raceway for 2025 to aid the Mexico City race. They had the option of chalking out the Roval or COTA race to add a road course event. But their stance to hack out a historic short track goes on to show the current state of these historic venues.