A career in motorsports has always been quick, but never cheap. Tickets, travel, and souvenirs are expensive for the typical fan. For teams and drivers? Staying afloat and pursuing speed must be balanced. Travel, testing, and tuning all add up, particularly for short-track racers who struggle without the millions of dollars that Cup Series heavyweights have to support them. Racetrack owners are also feeling the strain as they struggle to keep the gates open despite growing expenses. Even a regular test session might become an expensive affair in this society when every dollar matters. Ahead of this weekend’s CARS Tour event, that is precisely what happened, causing responses throughout the paddock. And when Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself intervenes with a possible remedy and a severe tweet? Well, it is obvious something bigger is brewing in the grassroots scene.
Dale Jr. responds to the Cordele testing scandal
Before the CARS Tour makes its debut at Georgia’s Cordele Motor Speedway, some drama is developing. And in the center of it all is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Jr. is responding to criticism regarding high testing expenses that surprised many teams as he gets ready to compete in his No. 8 Late Model Stock this weekend. In contrast to prior CARS Tour events, Cordele, a new stop for the primarily Mid-Atlantic-based series, reportedly charged $125 per hour with a three-hour minimum for testing this week. One of the first to point it up was late model driver Doug Barnes Jr., who wrote on X, “Testing today for this weekend’s CARS Tour race.” Typically, it ranges from $150 to $200 a day to test, but Cordele is welcoming us with a nice $125 AN HOUR. Thanks for the hospitality @CordeleSpeedway.“
Dale Jr. answered, “I don’t run the track, but I am aware of this.” You weren’t surprised by this today. During the conference call earlier this week, all teams were informed and instructed to adjust their plans accordingly. Barnes wasn’t persuaded, though. He quickly answered, “I’m not surprised at all. To charge us that much for testing is ridiculous. Not the distance to get here, but that price alone is probably why several people didn’t come today. Dale Jr. recognized the problem and understood what Barnes and other clubs faced. “It’s unfortunate that it’s that high,” he retorted. Definitely. That wasn’t on the radar. Perhaps a prohibition on testing is the solution. I would prefer that we refrain from testing and practice so much. One day shows, no support classes, done by 10 pm.” This would help level the playing field and possibly cut costs across the board. A win-win situation for the teams!
Although Dale Jr.’s proposal to restrict or outlaw testing may seem extreme, it has some merit. Controlling runaway expenses is essential in a time when every dollar matters, particularly for smaller teams. The CARS Tour is driven by passion and equality rather than wealth. A testing cap could be a crucial step forward if it helps protect that. In his post on X, Dale Jr. also said, “But don’t let this be the weekend’s big topic. From the perspective of the series, too much effort was put into this weekend. Given that this is the CARS Tour’s first-ever visit to Georgia and a local track near Dale Jr.’s heart, this statement carries a lot of weight. The track, formerly known as Crisp Motorsports Park, underwent an ownership change in 2024, under the leadership of Greg and Lori Noland.
Since then, the track has undergone renovations and makeovers, and Dale Jr. will be driving again for the first time since late 2024 when the CARS Tour visits Florence Motor Speedway in 2025! While CARS Tour driver Doug Barnes Jr. dampened the excitement for this weekend, let’s look at the late model driver’s next races where, perhaps, he won’t have to pay such a hefty price for testing!
Doug Barnes Jr.’s hectic April itinerary
A rising star in Late Model and NASCAR racing, Doug Barnes Jr., is preparing for a busy April schedule.
Barnes, who has won numerous championships at Dominion Raceway and triumphed at major races like the Florence Motor Speedway IceBreaker, is well-known for his aggressive yet strategic racing style. April is expected to be a crucial month in his career because he is focused on achieving more success. On April 12th, Barnes begins his month at Cordele Motor Speedway by participating in the CARS Tour’s first event at the Georgia racetrack. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will be among the many talented drivers competing at the ⅜-mile oval. To successfully negotiate the narrow, competitive field and compete against some of the top drivers in the series, Barnes will need to depend on his knowledge and flexibility. Barnes will return on April 19th to familiar territory at Dominion Raceway in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Series.
Barnes has won two track titles here. Dominion’s tough fields and high-banked bends have greatly influenced Barnes’ driving style. He will try to use his home-track advantage to secure another victory and generate momentum for the remainder of the season because he has a track record of success here. The month comes to a close on April 26th as the CARS Tour returns to Orange County Speedway, one of the East Coast’s most difficult short courses. Orange County, which is notorious for its rough surface and excessive tire wear, will put Barnes’ capacity to save tires without sacrificing speed to the test. He appears to be ready for this challenge based on his prior performance in comparable circumstances at Florence.
Both rivals and fans are interested in how Barnes handles this rigorous schedule and how he handles pressure. Since every race presents different difficulties, April can be a pivotal month in his quest for further Late Model racing success.
