Since the next-gen car, NASCAR has struggled with its short-track package. And the recent Bristol race was another example of it. What was expected to be a thrilling race ended up being a one-man show as Kyle Larson led 462 laps. The spring Bristol Motor Speedway race had raised the bar so high that many expected the same this time. In the race which had 54 lead changes, tire management became key because of the high wear.

However, the Goodyear tires just did not fall off the same way this time, and passing was challenging on the track. This has been a continued trend on short tracks lately, even in the recent Richmond race, just three drivers led 339 of the 400 laps. Post what was a mundane Bristol race, Dale Earnhardt Jr hit out at NASCAR’s short track package. This invited some unexpected rebuttal from Chris Gabehart. However, recently, Jr came clean about why he said what he said!

Dale Earnhardt Jr explains his disappointment with the Bristol race

The short-track package debate started after NASCAR Journalist Jeff Gluck called the Bristol race a total disappointment. He said, “It was a total letdown. It was just such a disappointing night because everybody was so excited about it.” Dale Earnhardt Jr in his recent podcast episode of Dale Jr Download was quick to second Gluck as he agreed to it being a product of NASCAR’s failed short track package.

Jr, in the conversation, said, “I heard Jeff Gluck on the Teardown this week, this cannot be okay. I feel pretty confident that NASCAR is looking at this and saying the same thing. I do not see short-track racing surviving this, if they don’t find some solution.”

For some reason, Dale Earnhardt Jr‘s comments had Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehard, upset. He replied to Dale Jr’s podcast video on X, writing, “All the doom and gloom is a little thick and aids in perpetuating the problem. Could it be “better?” Yes. Has it been “bad” by a lot of validated eye test metrics of the past? No, not really. Does our society sensationalize nearly everything now? Yes. That’s not helping either.”