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Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently weighed in on NASCAR's decision to implement a non-competitive pit stop, echoing Denny Hamlin's concerns. He acknowledged that while NASCAR's choice was likely made with safety in mind, it ended up benefiting some drivers while disadvantaging others.
Denny Hamlin had earlier expressed his frustration on his podcast about NASCAR's move to allow a non-competitive pit stop for the drivers to refuel their cars during the race restart after a rain delay. The decision allowed several drivers, who were low on fuel and at the front of the pack, to refuel without the competitive pressure of a normal pit stop.
Hamlin, who was in third place with sufficient fuel in his #11 Toyota Camry when the race was halted, felt that the pit stop unduly helped those who were nearly out of fuel before the interruption.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. echoed Denny Hamlin's frustrations on his podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, questioning NASCAR's decision:
"I do have some questions about why they allowed everyone to fuel their cars. To Denny Hamlin's point on his podcast, you had a lot of guys that were in a bad tough situation, fuel wise, that got bailed out by NASCAR allowing everyone to fuel their cars on pit road."
"That was probably a decision made out of safety by NASCAR. And I think they should absolutely prioritize safety. But it certainly... Don't give you a... Sitting there with an advantage, fuel-wise, while... Others were at a disadvantage in front of you."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. remembered the time when NASCAR bailed out all the teams
Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently reflected on a similar situation from his racing days that paralleled the controversial fuel-filling decision during the USA Today 301 race in New Hampshire. On his podcast, he brought up an old memory from a race at Pikes Peak where NASCAR intervened in a way that reset the competitive balance among the teams.
"We were in great, great shape with about, you know, I don't know, 180 laps to go. NASCAR decided to get all the teams and other sets of tires and bailed out all the teams.
They put themselves in a bad spot. And then there we are having given up all that track position and we can't get it back because they saved all the teams around us. I was reminded about that particular day at this moment when they allowed the other cars to fuel."
Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. argued that such a decision could tip the scales in crucial moments of the season.
Denny Hamlin will face his next challenge at Nashville Superspeedway, where he boasts an average finish of 10.2. He is expected to be in top form as he aims to improve his standing and continue his strong performance this season.
