Dale Earnhardt Jr Divulges Why Unconventional Aspect Is Stealing Thunder From NASCAR’s Traditions

NASCAR is usually associated with its long, high-speed oval tracks. The ovals have been in the sport for decades and are a huge part of the history and tradition of the years. Over the years, fans have witnessed several iconic moments on oval tracks which saw the likes of Dale Earnhardt Sr and Jimmie Johnson shatter records and immortalize their respective legacies. However, things took a wild turn when NASCAR announced a race at Indianapolis in 1994.

Without a doubt, the expectations were high from the track but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. Despite being an iconic track, the race lacked the thrill and intensity one expected from a Cup Series race. With ticket sales plummeting, the organizers decided to move to the Indy Road course. Dale Earnhardt Jr recently gave a detailed idea of how things went about then.

Dale Earnhardt Jr reveals the dark truth behind the change of approach at Indianapolis

Speaking on his podcast “The Dale Jr Download”, co-host Mike Davis initially brought up the issue with the Indy Oval amid speculations that NASCAR might shift back to the oval. Davis said that the biggest issue with the oval was how fans were going to react if a race did not live up to the standards.

“I hope if we’re going back to the oval like we all think we are then we stick with it and if there’s a problem with it, don’t incriminate the race track,” he said. “We just overreact every week. Was this race good or not? Was it exciting? You know, the fact of the matter is, we had a weekend this past week where there was only one caution for three laps. I think we can get away with it because it was a road course and there was just action all over the place.

Davis expressed his frustration with the short-term vision of the viewers. He said, “If there’s only one caution for three laps on an oval, people react differently. So if there’s only one caution on the big track, they’re gonna be, ‘This race sucks. We shouldn’t be here at the big track.’ And that’s what worries me,” 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. agreed with his co-host and explained how a sustained negative fan reaction affected the turnout at the event and forced the organizer’s hands to do something different.

“I think you bring up a good point, Mike, about the crowd. If you’re a track owner like Marcus Smith with Charlotte or Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and you got 300,000 seats and you’re only selling 100,000, you gotta do something. You can’t sit still and hope someone else figures it out.

Junior adds, “You can’t go, ‘Well I hope Goodyear’s tires are better or different. I hope that the car races different.’ You can’t. You can’t afford it. You’re losing, you’re hemorrhaging money. And so, the move to the road course sparked some renewed interest, probably sold reasonable tickets,” 

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While Dale Jr explained the reason behind shifting to the road course, he looked quite frustrated with the decision.

Dale Earnhardt Jr questions NASCAR’s decision to leave the oval track at Indianapolis

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It is no secret how Dale Earnhardt Jr has always been very passionate about his love for the tracks. While he’s done it very frequently, he was at it again when he expressed his disappointment with NASCAR for shifting away from the oval track at Indianapolis.

Speaking on his podcast, Junior said, he went unfiltered. He said, “It’s like saying, man, this microphone don’t work, so let’s move all the furniture around in the studio. Let’s rearrange the room because my microphone’s broke. Or let’s just go to another studio entirely. Instead of just fixing the microphone.”

While he remained irritated with the decision, he feels the oval track at Indianapolis could breathe a new life with the Next Gen car. Dale Jr said, “Now the racing with the Nex Gen, Charlotte is one of the best races of the year. Last 2 or 3 races on Charlotte on the Oval have been amazing. So, I think I am excited that we’re going back to the oval [at Indianapolis] and I hope that we never leave it.”

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As of now, it remains uncertain if a move back to the oval track is on the cards at Indianapolis. Having said that, with a strong figure like Dale Earnhardt Jr in favor of a return, nothing could be ruled out. What do you think is the right call? Let us know in the comments below.