Dale Earnhardt Jr. claims current NASCAR drivers aren’t “rough enough” on short tracks

Dale Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the lack of aggressive racing in the short tracks over the years compared to the past.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. claims current NASCAR drivers aren’t “rough enough” on short tracks

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)

The controversial finish to the NASCAR Cup series race at Richmond has once again caused the resurgence of discussions about aggressive racing in the sport. Austin Dillon took out Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final corner to secure the win. But the blatant action didn’t sit well with NASCAR who penalized the Chevy driver by refusing him playoff entry due to the win.

While talking about the same, hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a surprising claim about the lack of aggression in the short tracks. He pointed out that there was no real aggression till the last lap at Richmond, so he feels that the drivers should be a little more aggressive, as such clean races it not for his appetite like many fans.

YouTube video
Was there any contact in that race up until that point? None. I don’t think they’re rough enough. But I don’t know how you get there. What happened on that last lap was way too much. But everything else for 490-some laps was way too little, for me, for my taste, for my appetite.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via special edition of Dale Jr. Download.

He pointed out the option tier system used at Richmond made driver more concerned about saving their tiers. This made them race too clean on the short track, which he doesn’t like to see on the short tracks. He seems more disappointed with the fact the only action he saw on the day came at the end of the race, which was over the line.

FS Video
Fifty laps, 150 laps into the race – not even halfway, and they’re using each other up a little bit. Just enough. Like, hey, I want through. Get out of the way here for a second. If you’re going to slow down, I want to go faster. That’s what my appetite for short-track racing is, and that race had none of it up until that final moment.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
RELATED
Dale Earnhardt Jr. breaks silence on Jimmie Johnson’s “Dale Sr. vibe” remark over Austin Dillon’s Richmond win
Austin Dillon, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jimmie Johnson (Via IMAGO)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sees RCR appealing the decision

While further talking about the point on his special podcast episode on the penalty, Junior asserted that he wouldn’t be surprised if RCR appeal the decision. He pointed out that there is so much at stake for the Chevy team and they can’t let it go with out a fight, regardless of how questionable the incident was.

Amy Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Amy Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
If they can appeal, I wouldn’t be surprised with everything at stake, right? An opportunity to be in the playoffs, although we know that they are not a championship threat. But it’s at the minimum, a couple million dollars for them to be in that playoff field. If they have an opportunity to appeal, I would not be surprised at all if it’s final.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The first of a kind incident will help to draw the line for the racer on what they can and can’t do to win a race in NASCAR. It was a smart and effective decision by the sanctioning body and they should stand by it.

In case you missed it: