Jul 20, 2024; Hampton, VA, USA; Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3) waits for the start of the 16th Annual Hampton Heat at Langley Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently discussed the lost chance for teams to maybe address some of NASCAR’s Next Gen issues. The ‘run what you brung’ idea that the governing board recently proposed to the teams for the All-Star race ultimately failed. With the exception of safety features for that one event, NASCAR’s proposal essentially permitted teams to alter their racecars. Many insiders conjectured that teams might have been able to address some of the Next Gen car’s core issues, such short track racing, by experimenting and being innovative with its strict regulations. Dale Earnhardt Jr. likewise expressed this viewpoint in his remarks on the Dale Jr. Download. Junior explained how the previous few years, there has been ‘no real change’ to address issues like superspeedway racing, fuel mileage, and such.
As far as attempting to go forward with anything regarding that, NASCAR seems to be mired in a rut. Additionally, the automobile performs poorly on short courses. Once more, it seems as though nothing is being done to try to change it. NASCAR was essentially saying, “Ah, here,” as we stood there. Do you want to mess with it? F**k it. This is your opportunity. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said, “And we ain’t getting that.” [17:25] Given that NASCAR gave the teams the advantage with “run what you brung,” he asserted that Denny Hamlin could have been “the savior” in those situations.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. thinks there was ‘a potential’ for NASCAR’s overall success. Dale Earnhardt Jr. went on to say that Denny Hamlin ‘the hero’ in this case may have given NASCAR suggestions. According to him, Hamlin may have directed the governing body to the details of the Next Gen vehicle that required adjustment or repair. However, it’s important to note that on his podcast, Denny Hamlin explained in length why he didn’t connect with the “run what you brung” concept. Hamlin primarily drew attention to the fact that teams’ expenses could soar if they took this route for a single race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. bemoaned the fact that the teams might have been able to take advantage of this. In the podcast mentioned above, he said: “Damn it! I doubt that everyone is thinking, ‘Why didn’t you let us do this?’ ‘We had an opportunity to truly do something f**king different and we aren’t going get to do it,’ is more accurate. It simply seems like a lost chance. [18:00] Dale Earnhardt Jr. said that since NASCAR has been hesitant to improve things “that need improving,” there was an opportunity for new ideas to be given a try on the racetrack.
