$300M-worth Dale Earnhardt Jr. warns NASCAR that short tracks are in jeopardy without solutions

Retired NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently shared his thoughts on the short track difficulties in the NASCAR Cup Series. He believes short track racing is at risk of not surviving if NASCAR is unable to find solutions.

On a recent episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast, the 26-time Cup Series race winner said that what transpired in Saturday's Bass Pro Shops Night Race at the Bristol Motor Speedway is unacceptable. Dale Jr. added that the problem needs to be solved, or else short track racing in the Cup Series is in danger.

"I do not see short track racing surviving this if they don't find some solution," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It's not out of the question to think that, you know, in just a few years, the Martinsvilles and the Bristols are going to be really hanging on."

Saturday's 500-lap event at the Tennessee short track sparked major frustrations from race fans due to the lack of tire wear, which ulimately resulted in cars being unable to pass. The racing product was a major contrast from the spring race at BMS that saw immense tire wear and more passing.

It was pointed out to Earnhardt Jr. that NASCAR's senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that they were disappointed as a company for the fans. The two-time Daytona 500 champion respected and agreed with Sawyer's comments. He added:

"I appreciate that. I'm disappointed too. I'm not sure why they got the results they got, why the tire did what it did and all those things. I'm not confident we know what to do about it, which sucks, man."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. also said that it's disappointing how not too long ago, those within NASCAR were clamoring for more short track races. Now, it's quite the opposite.

"Just five years ago, we were all begging for more short tracks. It was a hashtag trending on social media, and now, nobody wants to go to one. Now, nobody wants to see one on the schedule the next week. What a travesty."

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Kyle Larson put on a historic performance at Bristol despite NASCAR race's criticism

The lack of tire wear fueled displeasure from racing fans and those within the sport, but that didn't stop Kyle Larson from putting on a clinic. He wheeled his #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to the win after leading 462 of 500 laps, the most laps led in a single Bristol race since Cale Yarborough in 1977, when he led 495 of 500.

Saturday's controversial race was the final race of the Round of 16. Four drivers were eliminated from the playoffs, which included past champions Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr., as well as young guns Harrison Burton and Ty Gibbs.