NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr found himself in a difficult position, forced to address “egregious” physical altercations in the recent Cars Tour pro late model race, leading to concerns about the image and sportsmanship in the pro series.
In a recent episode of his podcast, Earnhardt Jr held nothing back as he shared his thoughts and concerns.
Dale Earnhardt Jr criticizes drivers in the pro late model race for their unacceptable behavior
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In a candid conversation with co-host Mike Davis. The NASCAR legend didn’t mince his words when asked about his thoughts on the recent pro races in the Cars Tour. Known for his frank and honest assessments. Dale Earnhardt Jr expressed deep concerns about the nature of the pro races and how they reflect on the sport as a whole.
The incident unfolded at Tri-County Speedway, where both pro races were filled with action, although not necessarily the kind the racing world hoped to see. “They did, yeah, alright here it is,” Dale Jr began, recalling when Mike asked about the action at Tri-County Speedway. “You know, Tony Sr, right? he’s my old crew chief from the Cup days. He was there, he was with Tony Jr, they were helping Chris in the pro race.”
As the pro race unfolded, Tony Sr. reached out to Dale Jr, inquiring whether this was a part of his series. Dale Jr’s response was also a mix of disappointment and embarrassment.
“The pro race was embarrassing,” Dale Jr asserted, explaining his perspective. “I want things to be sensational, I want there to be some controversy. I am okay with drivers going over that line and maybe being a bit aggressive. But a lot of what I saw was egregious and just too much, right? [In] The last lap, the guy just got dumped. And we’ve seen that there before, at that exact same racetrack, at that exact same corner, in the exact same situation a year or two ago. A guy getting turned off turn 4 coming into the checkered in the pro-late model race.”
Earnhardt Jr highlighted a fundamental difference between the pro race and the late model stock race – the experience and maturity of the drivers. “The deal with the pros is the drivers at times are a lot younger,” he pointed out. “They’re still working on their race craft, they’re still understanding the do’s and don’ts.”
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While Dale Jr raised concerns for the pro series, he also has a solution to bring things back to normal.
Dale Jr points out that the approach taken by late-model stock car drivers can be the solution
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Earnhardt Jr emphasized the need for a different approach to the driver meetings for the pro series. He suggested that tailored experiences could help young drivers better understand the boundaries of racing. “Maybe there’s something that we do a little bit differently. So we have this sort of all-in drivers meeting, and everybody comes,” he explained.
Dale Jr drew a distinction between the late model stock drivers and the pros, stating that the late model stock drivers have more seasoned competitors who enforce certain standards. “A couple of those guys are there, and not only are they great stewards of the tour. But they also help those younger drivers really understand where the limit is. What’s tolerated and what’s not,” he noted.
The pro class, in contrast, lacks this veteran presence, with many young drivers who are still learning the ropes of racing. Dale Jr admitted that he wasn’t shocked or surprised by the incidents but felt deeply disappointed and embarrassed.
“I was more like disappointed and embarrassed by the pro series,” he said. “You know, you’re not gonna have that every single week. But every once in a while, it happens. And you just have to try to get to the drivers, have a conversation with them. Tell them, ‘Look man, we can’t have this.’ It’s even worse when it spills over into the pits. You got grown people fighting like kids, shouting over the roofs of racecars at each other. It’s a really bad look.“
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Dale Earnhardt Jr’s candid remarks reflect his commitment to the sport and his desire to maintain a high level of professionalism and sportsmanship in racing. As the stock car racing community processes his words. It remains to be seen whether these concerns will lead to concrete changes within the pro racing series.