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AVONDALE, AZ – JANUARY 31: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. addresses the media during NASCAR testing at Phoenix International Raceway on January 31, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

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AVONDALE, AZ – JANUARY 31: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. addresses the media during NASCAR testing at Phoenix International Raceway on January 31, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
On the flip side of all the fun and thrill the Daytona 500 produced this past weekend, there were some issues, new and recurring with the new car that alarmed many. Some of the Next Gen cars faced braking issues, wheel issues among others. But former Dale Earnhardt Jr is here to ask those that worry to be more patient, to be calmer, and to let the process take its time.
In the recent episode of the Ask Jr. segment of his podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr responded to a question surrounding the issues with the new car. And his first response essentially suggested that there’s going to be more of the same (and new) issues, but it’s only natural.
“I mean there’s probably going to be some part failures or things that need to be beefed up,” he said. “I think they’ll try to get those parts out as quick as possible.”
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“But we’re going to see completely different loads and the car will be stressed in different ways when we go these next several race tracks than what we saw at Daytona,” he continued.
“So I think we all need to be prepared for this to be a little bit of a process.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr believes unrealistic expectations need to go with Next Gen
The NASCAR Hall of Famer asked fans to not get alarmed when and if something becomes a recurring issue. “I think it might be too much for us to expect them to design a car that’s completely flawless right out of the gate,” he said.
“It’s going to have its problems, but I don’t really know of anything that stood out to me watching the race.”
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TALLADEGA, AL – OCTOBER 15: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Mountain Dew Chevrolet, prepares to drive during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Alabama 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 15, 2017 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
In many respects, what Dale Earnhardt Jr is asking fans to do makes sense.
The Next Gen car is just as new for the teams as it is for anyone. And no matter how much planning, testing, or wind tunnel work one may do, the true picture only emerges when it’s doing what it’s meant to do – racing on a racetrack.
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Because progress is a process.
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