Home/NASCAR

via Getty

via Getty

Ever since his retirement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has taken on a unique role in the NASCAR community. The Hall of Famer not only tries and succeeds in keeping the essence of the sport alive by lobbying tracks like North Wilkesboro, but he also has given a platform. His media empire and podcasts, with which other industry insiders can make their opinions, their suggestions, and their complaints heard.

But sometimes, Junior himself has some suggestions, and recently, he had one that many would consider an eccentric dream.

During an Ask Jr. segment in his podcast show, a fan asked Earnhardt Jr. about his opinion on the idea of “a timed NASCAR race” considering the diversity in the current Cup schedule.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

via Getty

Dale Earnhardt Jr. puts forward a 24 hours of Le Mans version of NASCAR

In his response, Junior emphasized something he claims he’s had on his mind for a while now. He also referenced a current Hendrick Motorsports project as the perfect example, which proves his idea is, in fact, a feasible one.

“Well, it would be great if it was 24 hours long,” Junior said. “I had this sort of debate over the last couple of years, when the Daytona 24-hour race comes around, the imagination starts going like, ‘Man, could NASCAR have its own version of a 24-hour race? Or could we have a class entered into IMSA’s 24 hours of Daytona?”

“I say yes to all of that.”

USA Today via Reuters

Junior references Hendrick’s Garage 56 as proof of concept for a 24-hour NASCAR race

Trending

New Parents Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett Share Their Complete Family Photo, and Fans Pour in Love for Baby Stewart

Ryan Blaney Risking Upsetting His Soon to Be Wife as He Reveals His Plans for the Off-Season After Failing to Defend His Title

Denny Hamlin’s One Final FedEx Tribute Steals the NASCAR Awards Spotlight as He Uncovers Drivers ‘Disgruntled’ Emotions

Unimpressed NASCAR Fans Call Out Chase Elliott’s 7th Consecutive MPD Award Sweep Amid Rekindled Dating Fire

Who Is Chase Elliott’s Girlfriend Ashley Anderson? Everything You Need to Know About NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver’s Rumored Love Interest

After expressing his desire for a 24-hour-long NASCAR race, Dale Jr. addressed the very natural backlash and doubts people might have over that idea with things like “cars don’t have lights” being raised.

For this, Earnhardt Jr. believes, just look at the Garage 56 car developed by Hendrick Motorsports for Le Mans. “It has lights,” he said.

“It’s gonna run 24 hours of Le Mans, it’s this car, it is this Cup car. They made some adjustments and stuff to it to make it where it has some downforce and so forth, but component-wise, it can’t be far from where we are,” he continued.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Junior revealed he has talked to Doug Yates and the engine manufacturer told him that the “motors can handle it”. 

Watch this Story: Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Makes Exciting New Additions in Preparation for the 2023 Season

“It’s a test of machine, try to get that thing to go for 24 hours, try to get the driver take care of that car for 24 hours or a couple of drivers,” he continued. “I’m all for it.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

“I would love to see our Cup cars in some version of an endurance event.”

Also Read: “That Fella Has Lost His Way” – Denny Hamlin Compares a Hater to His 3-Year-Old Baby Whining as He Makes Fun of the “Time and Effort” They Put Into a Tweet