Large-scale changes are a possibility for NASCAR in 2024. As the season approaches its end, rumors about new developments in the schedule have spread like wildfire. One of the propagators of such speculations has been Dale Earnhardt Jr., who recently spilled the beans on the possible removal of a venue from the schedule in 2024.
Racetracks have always been an area of interest for Junior. From renovating them to making their importance known in the community, he has been actively involved in improving the quality of racing. Coming to the topic of changes in 2024, from Montreal to Iowa, Dale Jr. discusses it all.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes removing the Bristol dirt race is a safe bet
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NASCAR authorities have been trying to find the optimal combination of venues for a long time. While the fanbase has made allegations of them showing a special affinity for road courses, a contrasting truth is that road course tracks have been host to some incredible racing this year. NASCAR’s plans to incorporate a new track into the schedule take Dale Earnhardt Jr. to a visual where Kentucky, Iowa, or even Montreal could become a part of the list.
“I don’t have a really glaring desire to see a specific thing. I do like the idea of going to these race tracks,” said Junior on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
He continued, “To be able to try the Next-Gen car at a place like Kentucky, I like the rumors I’m hearing about a possible race at Iowa. I like the idea of going to Canada and, anyway, whether it’s Montreal or anything right to get in front of our fans out there across the border. There are tracks that I don’t want to lose a second time, so I’m pretty particular.”
🤔 A return to Kentucky?
🌽 Cup Series to Iowa?
🇨🇦 Racing up north?@DaleJr shares a variety of thoughts on the potential 2024 #NASCAR Cup Series schedule.More → https://t.co/S6iNvWfGwe pic.twitter.com/SOVkB6mtX8
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) September 27, 2023
The Bristol dirt track has been a controversial topic for NASCAR. With its introduction, NASCAR wanted to add some variety and a new field of expertise for the drivers. Dale Jr. isn’t a big fan of the dirt track either.
” You can’t have everything you want, but if dirt’s going away from Bristol in the first race, I’m thrilled about that. I love concrete Bristol, I love asphalt Bristol even more. I’ve made that pretty aware, but I definitely think dirt Bristol ranks the lowest of the three for me,” claimed the JR Motorsports owner, agreeing with the opinion that dirt track should be the one to be removed.
Junior discusses the ongoing rumors around his home track, Charlotte
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Another track that has garnered attention lately is Charlotte Roval. While its counterpart race, the Coca-Cola 600, is an important part of NASCAR history, Roval hasn’t found much love from Junior. Yet, a province of the racing community believes that the combination of a road course and an oval added a new dimension in terms of racing action to the Cup Series.
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“I guess there are rumors about the Roval maybe being up in the air. Whether we bring that back next year. So I think the racing at Charlotte has been as good as it’s been as long as I can remember,” stated Earnhardt, confirming the speculations of the portmanteau race facing the axe next year.
Racing at Roval is quite different from racing on the quintessential Charlotte Motor Speedway oval track. A large chunk of the oval track has been modified in order to adjust to the needs of road course racing with sharper corners and less banking. To Junior, this is something that was an unnecessary addition. Stating his reasons, he said,
“Going back and running the oval twice a year at Charlotte—I mean, it’s my home track; I’m biased, but I would love to have two oval races there again like we used to have. If we need another road course, go run a true road course. Marcus is going to be mad at me for saying that, but the Roval was fun and good for the sport, but it was like a bridge to something else. To me, it never felt anything more than that.”
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Watch This Story: Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals the Immediate Regret After Entering Bristol
With so many tracks on NASCAR’s radar, the exclusion of Charlotte’s road course-cum-oval wouldn’t exactly be a surprise. However, having two races of the same intensity and duration as the Coke 600 could also be a deterrent for some fans.