“You Don’t Blame Daytona” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Shuts Down Criticism on Historical Tracks; Urges NASCAR to Improve

In the realm of NASCAR, the resonance of historical tracks is undeniable. Amidst the thrill of high-speed competition, there’s an intricate dance between tradition and innovation. Dale Earnhardt Jr, a name synonymous with NASCAR’s legacy, boldly called out the governing body to shun the blame game and step up in terms of taking responsibility.

The switch from the iconic Indianapolis Oval to the road course in 2021 had raised many eyebrows. While there were doubts about the credibility of the move, Dale Jr claimed it was a mistake on NASCAR’s part. In fact, he more than questioned the move recently.

Dale Earnhardt Jr wants NASCAR to step up amid questions surrounding historic tracks

The aura of Indianapolis Motor Speedway is steeped in history, making it a revered cornerstone in the world of not just NASCAR but motorsport as a whole. Dale Earnhardt Jr voiced his concerns about NASCAR’s tendency to blame the track for racing quality.

Junior questioned the logic of shifting prestigious events like the Brickyard 400 to different courses. He emphasized that the responsibility for enhancing the racing experience ultimately rests on NASCAR’s shoulders. On his podcast, Junior explained the scenario to his friend and co-host Mike Davis with a brilliant analogy.

This is how Dale Jr put it into words. He said, “It’s like saying, man, this microphone don’t work, so let’s move all the furniture around in the studio. Let’s rearrange the room because my microphone’s broke. Or let’s just go to another studio entirely. Instead of just fixing the microphone.”

At the same time, the former Hendrick Motorsports driver demanded to stop doubting the credibility of historic tracks in the sport. Junior said, “I think that no one’s ever gonna blame that track. It’s Indy man, you don’t blame Indy, you don’t blame Daytona,” he continued. “You don’t blame these things that have credibility in history. And it’s always gonna fall on NASCAR’s shoulders whether that’s right or wrong. Which is the car? What do we need to do? The tire.”

He continues, “Goodyear is gonna carry the responsibility. It’s never gonna fall on the track’s shoulders because Indy is Indy. And so, you know, hopefully, the Next Gen runs good there, races well there.”

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It was the drivers who first showed their discontent with the switch to the Road Course when it first happened in 2021. In fact, the opinion hasn’t quite changed right now.

NASCAR Cup Series drivers love the idea of going back to racing at the Indy Oval

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Beyond the resonance of Earnhardt Jr’s call, echoes of a shared desire ripple through NASCAR’s driver community. The allure of the Indianapolis Oval, its history etched in the racing tapestry, tugs at the hearts of drivers like Chase Briscoe, Kyle Busch, and Kyle Larson. Their voices align with those of countless fans yearning for the return of the Brickyard 400’s essence.

“I always tell everybody that, for me, if you’re racing on the oval or the road course, the dirt track, or even the parking lot, it’s special to get to race here,” the SHR driver Chase Briscoe said according to Yahoo Sports. “But I think it’s no secret that the prestige, the history that the oval holds, is definitely above the other disciplines that you could race here.”

For the RCR star, Kyle Busch, a victory on the oval would be a testament to capturing the essence of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Even though we’re at Indy, it doesn’t really feel like the same thing, going the wrong way,”  said Kyle Busch.

Kyle Larson, the star driver for HMS, is no different. He said, “I think just the prestige of the oval, we would all rather win on the oval than the road course, I think. When you think of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you don’t think of the road course. So the Brickyard 400 is a crown jewel event that we lost. So if we can get it back on the oval, it would be great for our sport.”

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Would you have NASCAR go back to the Indianapolis Oval or rather stick with the Road Course? Share your thoughts in the comments below.