NASCAR racing has changed leaps and bounds over the years. Not just the style of racing or different race cars, drivers now also have to deal with different racing conditions. Traditionally, asphalt was the preferred racing surface at most racetracks. However, concrete soon became a preferred choice for several race tracks. The reason was that it was more durable and would not require regular repaving or maintenance.

But Dale Earnhardt Jr has never been a fan of this modern-day trend of switching to concrete from asphalt. He has previously explained the reasons for his dislike for concrete tracks. But this time around, he dove deeper into the sentimental aspect of how fans today aren’t able to enjoy what he did back in the day.

Junior wanted modern-day NASCAR fans to enjoy asphalt racing at Bristol and Dover

Historically, both Bristol and Dover had asphalt racing surfaces. However, with the constant wear and tear of the race track, they choose to repave the surface with concrete. During the 1980s and 90s, Bristol underwent multiple repaves. Initially, excessive tire wear was the concern raised by drivers and then the track was deemed too bumpy to race despite the repaves from 1991. To solve the issues once and for all, the track was repaved with concrete.

However, Dale Earnhardt Jr misses the magic these racetracks once had when they were on asphalt. “Bristol when it was asphalt, it was magic. It seemed like something you would never be able to replicate. They went to concrete because they had a lot of problems with the track tearing apart. They did the same thing at Dover … I hated that they took those two racetracks that were super incredible, magical racetracks and put concrete down them. And they’ve never been the same ever since.” He said via the Dale Jr Download’s special segment: Ask Jr.

Although Dale Jr would enjoy watching races on these concrete surfaces, but he can’t get over the asphalt magic these tracks once had. “Concrete just isn’t as good, and look I can go to Nashville and I can go to Dover and I can go to Bristol, and I can see an amazing race there today. But I know where the potential is if they were asphalt, and I know how much we’re missing … I know how much better the races might be if they were asphalt and I hate that you guys and fans out there will never know that.”

During the show, Dale Jr also touched upon Andy Petree’s untimely exit from Richard Childress Racing. He was surprised, just like the rest of the NASCAR community, and speculated that something was off at RCR with the way Petree resigned mid-season.

Opportunity to bring in new change with Petree’s departure, says Dale Earnhardt Jr

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RCR has been off by a long mile in hitting their marks for the 2024 season. None of their two drivers, Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon have been able to churn out solid results. So much so that they are struggling to make the playoffs. Changes were expected in the RCR camp but Andy Petree’s surprise retirement call was not the response everyone expected.

Dale Jr reacting to Petree’s departure, stated, “I don’t see Andy as the kind of guy that says, ‘Hey mid-season, I’m going to go do something different’. You know, so something went down, it’s kind of like that Almirola-Bubba Wallace thing. I don’t think we will all know the true details of it; it doesn’t feel good.”

However, he Jr also saw this as an opportunity for RCR to bring in fresh minds and new ideas to steer the team’s future in the right direction. “Petree’s got a legacy, the dude has accomplished a ton in the sport, appreciate what you did for RCR. But here’s a chance to hit a home run and bring in somebody with new ideas … That could be crucial for the future of RCR going forward.”

Hopefully, RCR will get things in order and keep hold of their star driver, Kyle Busch, who is growing frustrated on the back of dismal results every weekend.