Amid Heavy Backlash Following Kansas ‘Punchgate’, Dale Earnhardt Jr Sights a Golden Opportunity for NASCAR Involving Notorious Ross Chastain

It was a crazy race last weekend at Kansas Speedway for NASCAR fans. Why? It’s Because it was filled with all possible action on track, the drama between two drivers off track, and a thrilling last few laps race between two drivers to reach the finish line. While it was a lot of fun for everyone, post the Cup Series race, one of NASCAR’s most loved drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr had something important to say. 

It was Denny Hamlin who received a lot of attention with his first win in this year’s Cup Series race. While fans wanted Kyle Larson to win, the last-lap battle surprised them. That led to a lot of ‘boos’ on the tracks. On the other hand, creating spicy drama was the incident involving Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson, who got into a fight. Amid all this, veteran driver Dale Jr sees a great opportunity.

Dale Earnhardt Jr has some advice for Ross Chastain

Dale Jr in a recent episode of ‘The Dale Jr Download’ shared some thoughts about the incident between Chastain and Gragson. During the conversation, Mike Davis said that all that happened between the two drivers was not helping the sport to grow in any way. Though it is their ‘prerogative’ how they deal with such situations, he said, “We need stars.” Dale Jr. agreed with him and said, “Denny was on social media the other day saying the biggest challenge for our sport right now is personality stars that extend beyond the NASCAR bubble.”

He further added that “What we need is to grow and become bigger, bust out of this NASCAR bubble, and get in front of new fans that don’t know who we are.” He emphasized that this was the opportunity to do so. Dale Jr even gave credit to drivers like Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, who is “absolutely connecting to new fans.” The legend stated, “This is Ross’s window of opportunity right? To sort of become more of a star in the sport. So when he does win that championship, you know, the sky’s the limit on who this guy can become.”

Read More: Denny Hamlin Compares Ross Chastain-Noah Gragson Fiasco with Infamous Bubba Wallace-Kyle Larson Altercation

Dale Earnhardt Jr sides with the crowd after the ‘boos’

In the same podcast, Dale Jr. and Davis talked more about Hamlin as his name popped up. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver earned his first win in a side-by-side battle with a Hendrick Motorsports driver, and not everyone seemed to be happy with his win. A lot of fans booed after his victory and that received lots of mixed reviews from former drivers. Dale Jr shed some light on the reactions from the crowd, defending fans as he shared how the same scenario can look very different.

Davis asked if the reaction from the crowd was justified. The NASCAR legend replied, “It’s a bit surprising. No, I don’t think so, but they were there. Being there and witnessing it live is totally different to watching it on the TV. And so maybe I wouldn’t have thought much of it if I was there.” Well, fans will certainly agree with Dale Jr here, as watching a race live at the stands and watching it on TV are definitely two very different experiences.

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