For years, the short tracks that once defined NASCAR’s gritty, heart-pounding action have been struggling. During a recent interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Denny Hamlin pointed directly to the horsepower deficit as a major culprit. “I don’t see a reason not to go back to the 750 [horsepower] and just try it,” he said, urging NASCAR to increase power by at least 100 horsepower. The core issue, however, lies with the Next Gen car’s performance on short tracks. Capped at 650 horsepower, these cars struggle to pass, turning races into follow-the-leader parades rather than the bumper-to-bumper battles fans crave.

The Next-Gen car, introduced to level the playing field, has instead left fans and drivers frustrated with races that lack passing and excitement. Hamlin has been relentlessly pushing for change, and his latest outburst seems to have finally gotten NASCAR’s attention. But not everyone’s buying the promises coming from the top, especially Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose recent reaction on X has sparked a heated conversation among fans.

Dale Jr isn’t buying NASCAR’s word on the face of it

NASCAR’s Senior VP of Competition, Elton Sawyer, finally stepped up to address the growing unrest. On April 15, 2025, during another SiriusXM NASCAR Radio segment, Sawyer acknowledged the criticism and tried to reassure everyone. “I don’t want our fans to lose sight that we have great racing at our superspeedways. We have great racing at our intermediate tracks. And we have seen great racing at our short tracks and road courses. We will continue to look at our short track package. We’ve worked closely — the industry that is, our drivers, our teams, our NASCAR folks — work closely with the folks at Goodyear and continue to try to get that fall-off that we’re looking for on the short tracks.” he said, emphasizing that NASCAR isn’t ignoring the problem.

That same day, Joseph Srigley shared Sawyer’s comments on X, and the post quickly became a lightning rod for fan reactions. “On @SiriusXMNASCAR, Elton Sawyer says that NASCAR is “not going to sleep on” issues with the short track package. Per Sawyer, the sanctioning body will continue to have its all-driver meetings every couple of months, and “if someone has an idea, we’re all ears”. #NASCAR”. Dale Earnhardt Jr. replied with a short but telling comment: “Interesting choice of words.” Those four words captured his deep skepticism about NASCAR’s promises, and fans immediately echoed his sentiment. The thread laid bare the deep mistrust that fans and drivers feel. Sawyer’s words sounded like more of the same, and they weren’t buying it.

Dale Jr.’s doubts aren’t new. Back in 2023, he warned that NASCAR could be “s——” if short-track packages didn’t improve, especially after tests with new airflow parameters and front splitters at New Hampshire showed little progress. He’s long been an advocate for returning to higher horsepower, a sentiment Hamlin shares. However, someone doesn’t look convinced.

NASCAR President Steve Phelps pushed back on Hamlin’s horsepower demands, offering a different perspective. “And so I know fans don’t want to hear that, but one of the reasons we’re sticking where we are right now is you look at the potential for an engine platform with either new OEs or how we can maintain engines where they are today with multiple races is to stick where we are in terms of the horsepower level. ” Phelps said. He argued that simply increasing horsepower wouldn’t solve the deeper issues and pointed to ongoing efforts with Goodyear to improve tire wear, which could create more passing opportunities by increasing tire fall-off during races. The other claim that NASCAR officials give is the high cost of more powerful engines. But Hamlin has a comeback here.

Hamlin also debunked the cost concerns often cited as a barrier. He argued that manufacturers haven’t been passing extra costs to teams, so there’s no financial reason not to boost horsepower and bring back the speed and excitement fans want. Hamlin’s frustration goes beyond just horsepower. He’s been vocal about the broader issues with short-track racing, especially after Bristol’s disappointing 2024 race, where he finished fourth and drew criticism for not being aggressive enough. But he called out the sport’s stagnation as “paralyzing” and demanded “radical changes”.

Sawyer’s response might signal that NASCAR is finally listening, especially after Hamlin’s relentless pressure. But Dale Jr.’s reaction, backed by a flood of frustrated fan comments, shows there’s a massive trust gap. Fans have heard promises before—more meetings, more tire tests, more “we’re listening”—but the on-track product hasn’t improved enough. The Bristol and Martinsville races still lack the chaos and competition that once defined them, and fans are tired of waiting.

Will NASCAR finally deliver the changes Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the fans are begging for, or will the sport keep stalling while its loyal base grows more disillusioned? Well, no matter what, Dale Jr. is already eyeing something else.

Trending

1

Ex- NASCAR Driver Announces Split From Wife of Over 10 Years With Exciting News for His Fans

2

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Limps Across the Finish Line as JR Motorsports Outmaneuvers 21 YO Phenom

3

After NASCAR, Tony Stewart Continues to Sever Ties With Nearly $40 Billion Giant

4

Joe Gibbs’s Downed Grandson Bounces Back with Denny Hamlin Revealing the Secret Behind His Comeback

5

Richard Childress’s New NASCAR Driver Makes Feelings Known on Bristol as Flop Grandson Hints Career Change

Dale Jr. is optimistic about the expansion of his co-creation

At the zMAX CARS Tour’s debut at Cordele Motor Speedway, Junior wasn’t just there to race—he was fighting for the soul of grassroots racing. As co-owner, he’s dead-set on keeping the tour’s standards high, making sure it’s about skill, not chaos. Dale Jr. rolled into Cordele with his No. 8, chasing that short-track magic he loves. He qualified eighth, giving fans hope, but damage slowed him down. Still, his JR Motorsports driver, Connor Hall, stole the show, outrunning young gun Mini Tyrrell for the win.

He mentioned in the interview, “I think, it could be more bodies up in the booth. We need to establish the wave around, the free pass, and the lineup. We’re trying to run a short track race, like we always did, before streaming. Now that streaming’s here, you got to serve this in a neat little package. And so, my request or my push to our team is like, look, we got to flip our minds.” This race wasn’t just another event—it was personal. Dale’s pouring everything into the CARS Tour, trying to keep small tracks alive. Despite the bumps—literally and figuratively—he’s already looking ahead, planning to make future races even better.

Cordele was a reminder: racing’s messy, raw, and real. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not just a legend; he’s a guy who gets it. He’s out there, racing, leading, and teaching the next generation to respect the track and each other. That’s the heartbeat of NASCAR, right there.