via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Earlier, the NASCAR All-Star Race at the Texas Motor Speedway concluded with Ryan Blaney winning. However, the race didn’t really satisfy the fans, and even some of the drivers. Most of the criticism was leveled at the Texas Motor Speedway itself, with a number of opinions hoping for a change in venue. Among them was former NASCAR driver and former All-Star winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The All-Star Race just doesn’t have the same feel to me anymore.
I liked Charlotte. I miss Charlotte.
Bring this race back to Charlotte. #NASCAR | #AllStarRace— 𝙈𝙄𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙀𝙇 𝙋𝘼𝙇𝙈𝙀𝙍 (@Mikey2082) May 22, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
I appreciate you and honestly anyone else’s opinions on how to restore it. I’m quite stubborn on the idea of it going away entirely. It can be fixed. https://t.co/TY8Gmz6BnU
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 23, 2022
The general consensus was that everyone wanted a return to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. From 1987 until 2019, the paddock has been racing at Charlotte. In 2020, it moved to the Bristol Motor Speedway and last year to Texas.
READ MORE: Bubba Wallace Endorses Chase Elliott’s Strong Opinion on NASCAR All-Star Race
Even a driver like Carson Hocevar gave his opinion and had some suggestions about the format.
Charlotte..
stage 1; oval
stage 2; roval
stage 3; the dirt track across the street— Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) May 23, 2022
No, no, no, no. Charlotte originated it, Charlotte perfected it, the teams need a home week.
— Mike Neff (@MNeffShortTrack) May 23, 2022
Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace has said, “The All-Star Race should float, it should be like other major leagues that float their All-Star games, too. Pick your best markets and build off that. If (a track) is suited for us, I think we should look at different avenues. I mean, it’s an All-Star Race; it shouldn’t be in the same spot every year.”
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) before the start of the EchoPark Automotive Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
What lies ahead for the NASCAR Cup Series?
Speaking of Charlotte, the paddock heads there this weekend for the next race of the season. This particular race kicks off the Coca-Cola 600, which will be an important event for the entire grid. When this race wraps up, there will be just 12 races until the start of the Cup Series Playoffs.
What hurts the most is that Texas really was a very decent if not good track at one point in its life.
It was never going to be a Bristol or Talladega, but a solid Charlotte style track in a big market wasn’t worth losing for all this mess. #NASCAR
— Matthew Burroughs (@MJBurroughs) May 23, 2022
The #nascar All-Star Race!
Either move it back to Charlotte or end it.
That’s it.
I wrote this eight years ago, when #nascar already was a decade into its All-Star Race doldrums. And little has changed (aside from the venue a few times) since then:https://t.co/logvhjITHH
— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) May 23, 2022
Run it at Charlotte.
Segment 1: 30 laps with a pit stop. Invert the field.
Segment 2: 30 laps. See if the fast cars can race their way back to the front.
Segment 3: 10 lap trophy dash.— Hello, My Name Is Josh (@CBJSprague24) May 23, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Legends cars on the front straight at Charlotte. Street stocks on the dirt track. Millbridge micros.
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) May 23, 2022
Coming back to the All-Star race, many talked about, and criticized the iconic event’s format.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Here’s How Dale Earnhardt Jr ‘Shocked’ Rick Hendrick With His $1 Million Gesture
Meanwhile, the rest had issues with the All-Star race venue. While the common consensus firmly backed the Charlotte Motor Speedway, many fans threw out other suggestions for possible venues. Ultimately, the decision lies with NASCAR, and the drivers and fans can do nothing but just express their opinions.
