“Man, that is such a damn stretch.” Denny Hamlin remarked about the interminably long races that we have been seeing NASCAR host recently. That is partly due to the root cause—the starting time being so late. Ever since a gigantic media rights deal was signed with $7.7 billion on the table, the sport has largely catered to the TV demands. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is willing to act a little liberally.

Since the races start so late, many fans are disadvantaged as Sunday evenings tend to be leisurely. Accordingly, NASCAR loses the game against its football neighbor. Hence Dale Earnhardt Jr. chooses to pick up arms against the NFL.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to fight to survive

The FireKeepers Casino 400 was the third consecutive race to go into overtime. And, fans bashed NASCAR for counting Martin Truex Jr.’s light slide with the wall as worthy of a yellow. However, the start times are the main problem—if the Michigan race was flagged off two hours earlier, maybe we would have seen the conclusion of the race on Sunday itself. But NASCAR’s hands are tied by the media. FOX’s NASCAR TV ratings increased by 0.7 percent from the 2023 season, pulling in 53.92 million viewers across 16 races.

That is what Dale Earnhardt Jr. initially reasoned, as he said the TV networks have authority. “The numbers are better at 3 ‘o’clock, and the numbers are better. But I believe, over the course of a decade, that it sours on people…Is this group of people big enough to matter—large enough piece of the pie to really make change? Good TV numbers…NASCAR looks at the TV number, we’re happy…Then the start-times are becoming less and less popular, less and less liked, more and more frustration. So the long-term I think is bad.”

In contrast, the NFL usually starts at 1 a.m., and NASCAR tunes in after the football games to avoid a clash. But Dale Earnhardt Jr. adamantly proposes a conflicting time. “I just don’t like the idea…it feels like we settle…because of the bigger thing in the room.” 

Further suggesting a bold solution, he said, “Why not go up against the NFL? …We can’t ever gain those viewers if we don’t go battle…NASCAR to me is the best thing going…can start at one freaking ‘o’clock if it wants to. If it wants, NASCAR doesn’t have to settle for 3 because it is a better time slot when we all know one ‘o’clock is the best time slot.”

The NFL’s rules about overtime periods also seem better than NASCAR’s. They have one 10-minute OT during the regular season and continuous 15-minute OTs in the playoffs. If the game is still tied after those first possessions, the next score wins. In comparison, NASCAR allows unlimited overtime periods, which led to the ridiculously long Nashville race. So Denny Hamlin also concurs with Dale Earnhardt Jr., as he said, “We’re chasing around all these slots and things like that. I would just argue that…why are you starting it late?” 

Drivers have harped on this for ages

Trending

Despite 2023 Disaster, Chase Elliott Risks Angering Rick Hendrick by Choosing Alex Bowman’s HMS Banned Tactic

Kurt Busch Finally Breaking Radio Silence After Criminal Charges Forced 3-Month-Long Hiatus Has NASCAR Fans Breathing Easy

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Sister Recalls the Sacrifice Forced on Them by Tony Stewarts’ Stranded Mentee Before Their Big Moment

Bubba Wallace and Others Inadvertently Save Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s Fate in NASCAR

Joey Logano Leaks NASCAR’s Threat to Kick Teams Out of Daytona 500 After Chevy’s Defiance to $400,000 Fine

NASCAR’s start times are also haphazardly set according to each race. For instance, 7-night races feature on the 2024 Cup Series schedule. The others, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. mentioned, begin usually at 3 ‘o’clock. This variation in timing is something old. Back in 2009, there were 12 different starting times. Half started at 2 p.m., while the rest ranged between 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Drivers scratched their heads at this chaotic schedule even then, calling out NASCAR for it.

Much like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch compared NASCAR’s situation with the NFL. “It’s very easy to recognize what time NFL games start—it’s 1 o’clock and 4 o’clock. We know that you look down the list of the 1 o’clock games; you look down the list of the 4 o’clock games and find out who you want to watch. The NASCAR races you always have to find the TV program or you have to find something you can look at to find out what time the races are going to start, or you’re all confused.”

Even 21-time Cup winner Jeff Burton emphasized that making it home early is important. “For me, personally, the earlier the better or Saturday night races work great, too, because those few hours at home, with having children, that’s a great thing.”  So hopefully, NASCAR would pay heed to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s battle cry. The veteran driver clearly wants to change this attitude, as he said, “If you’re gonna act like the underdog, you’re always gonna be the underdog.”