The weeks leading up to NASCAR’s Cup debut in Iowa were a rollercoaster of emotions. Buzz and excitement followed, though there was plenty of criticism about the incomplete repaving. Even race winner Ryan Blaney joined in on the fun, posting a hilariously crude drawing of a horse.

But when race day finally arrived, it exceeded everyone’s expectations, thrilling even the harshest skeptics. Dale Earnhardt Jr and other fans were absolutely electrified by the massive lead changes and an unexpected plot twist that made the Iowa Corn 350 one of the most exciting races of the year. It stood toe-to-toe with other short-track favorites like Bristol and Richmond.

A race so impressive that it even prompted Dale Earnhardt Jr to shift his focus away from NASCAR’s south-of-the-border expansion plans, advocating instead for more short-track racing.

Dale Earnhardt Jr wants more of Iowa

Earlier this year, NASCAR executives announced their intentions to expand—two international races would be included in the 2025 Cup season. After the Mexico Series came to the L.A. Busch Light Clash, the land of taco bells could be a likely target. Moreover, President Steve Phelps declared, “I would be surprised next year from the 2025 schedule if we didn’t go north of the border and we didn’t go south of the border.”

Yet Dale Earnhardt Jr is not so enthusiastic about the plan. In a recent episode of Dale Jr Download, Junior argued for another Iowa race. “Guys could pass…They had to use each other up which was fun.” He added, “That’s awesome. That’s short-track racing…They certainly raced it like it was a short track, being a little physical, a lot of contact. I was really entertained, I enjoyed it. I hope that Iowa gets another date.”

Junior backed up his argument with a bold suggestion. Should NASCAR invest in international plans rather than hone its already solid footing in short-track racing? Definitely not, Dale Jr argues, while sprinkling his own race preferences. “I think NASCAR is in a tough spot. You know, they wanna go to Mexico, and I don’t think that’s been announced yet…I’m hoping that it’s not gonna happen, ’cause I don’t want to go to Mexico. I’d rather go to Iowa after what I saw. You know I don’t love road courses.”

The last time NASCAR held a points race off of American soil was in 1958 when drivers raced in Toronto. Then, three exhibition races were held in Japan between 1996 and 1998. But with Mexican influence pervading the sport, a race in Mexico City seems likely. Daniel Suarez is our foremost Mexican idol in NASCAR, and he gained American citizenship recently. Ironically, he caused great trouble for one of the Iowa race leaders, Kyle Larson.

And Dale Earnhardt Jr recognized the reason for this troublesome driving as well.

Yet Iowa proved to be notorious

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The tire test held at Iowa Speedway yielded some worrisome responses. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell both felt the notoriety of the track. Larson said, “It’s still really, really bumpy,” despite the repaving done recently. And sure enough, a late-race wreck caught the Hendrick Motorsports driver as Daniel Suarez bumped into him. The tricky Speedway elicited doubts from Dale Earnhardt Jr as well, although he heaped praise on it.

Dale Jr highlighted the consequences of the repaving, suggesting some changes. “Sometimes when you repave a track with new asphalt and all, where the sections are with the new and old joining, they can break and bust up. That old asphalt could chunk up and fly up…There were some very bad bumps still getting into turn 1. Maybe they could improve some of that a little bit…a couple of paving strips from the breaking zone to turn 1.”

Yet Dale Earnhardt Jr cheekily snuck back into his original opinion, weighing the overall fun quotient, “But honestly man, if the drivers enjoyed it, I wouldn’t touch it.” Additionally, after such an entertaining race at Iowa, NASCAR’s work has thrilled fans and Dale Jr alike. But the Mexico plans would probably be in place for next year.