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NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recently shared his opinion on how NASCAR can enhance its appeal by adopting a key aspect from the NFL. On his Dale Jr. Download podcast, the two-time Daytona 500 winner expressed his frustration with the varying race times in NASCAR, advocating for a more consistent schedule akin to the NFL.
For decades, NASCAR races have been held at varying times, largely due to the sport's expansive reach across the entire United States. This geographic diversity has made it challenging for the sport's governing body to establish a uniform start time for races.
On a recent episode of his podcast, the former Hendrick Motorsports driver highlighted this issue by drawing a comparison with the NFL.
"What I liked about the NFL is that I know when the game starts. I don't have to think about it or look it up. I don't have to wonder whether it's 1:30, 1:00, or 2:30. I know when it starts; that's when they all start. There's a batch that goes off at one, and a batch that goes off at four. That makes it so easy." (29:30-31:24)
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Dale Jr. emphasized the need for NASCAR to adopt a more streamlined approach to scheduling. He said:
"As an industry, we need to be consistent. What I'd love to see is it get more streamlined to where every race starts at the same time, unless it's a night race."
The two-time Xfinity Series champion expressed his frustration with the current system, which requires fans to constantly check schedules. He added:
"Having to go and look at the app and see that one race starts at 2:30, another at 3:00, and then next week it's 3:30, then back to 3:00, is confusing. I don't know why there are these discrepancies."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. comments on NASCAR's future with Electronic Vehicles
In addition to his views on race timings, Dale Earnhardt Jr. also weighed in on the topic of electronic vehicles (EVs) in NASCAR. Recently, there has been a growing conversation about the potential incorporation of EVs into the sport.
However, Earnhardt reassured fans that this shift would not impact the essence of NASCAR’s primary series.
Ahead of the Grant Park 165 race, the NASCAR electric vehicle made its debut by running a few laps on a road/street course. On his podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed concerns about this development, stating:
"Look, I’m not worried about it sort of infringing on what we love about NASCAR and the three series: the top three series, Truck, Xfinity, and Cup." (3:45)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. likened the NASCAR EV to the slot cars he raced in his youth. He added:
"Dude, that looks exactly like the slot cars that I raced. It’s just like that. It’s a big toy. That’s all it is. Nothing to be scared of."
As NASCAR continues to evolve, it remains to be seen what the future of EVs in the sport hold.
