Dale Earnhardt Jr. claims NASCAR ‘should’ve suspended’ Martinsville race manipulators
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares frustration with the drivers not getting suspended for race manipulation at Martinsville.
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Bubba Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
The 2024 NASCAR Cup championship-4 lineup was decided under controversial circumstances last week at Martinsville. There was allegation of race manipulation against Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing, Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon. NASCAR seriously penalized the teams involved after investigating the allegations.
All three drivers were ordered to pay a whopping $100,000 in fine and also, they lost 50 driver and owner points. The crew chief, spotter and a team executive each from the teams were also suspended for their actions which is against the spirit of racing. But many believes the penalty wasn’t enough and Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. agrees with them.
I saw Jeff Gluck comment immediately he didn’t think this was enough, and I can understand that. It’s kind of how I felt…I honestly don’t know much $100,000 hurts. …I think in some cases drivers have paid their own fines, in other cases, the team has backed them up.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
He believes the driver should have been parked like their crews, instead letting the slip with point deduction and fine. Junior pointed out that suspending the drivers from the finale would have send a strong message to the rest of the grid. He is right to make the assertion as the trio of Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon are among the most famous drivers on the grid.
I think it’s a lot of money, I think the points are a lot, that’s for sure. But I still stand by the idea that to really get someone’s attention, I think parking them a race is the way it goes. Some people have said to my idea of parking the drivers, ‘Oh no, no, no. The drivers were just doing what they were told.’ Yes, you’re right.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains why he hates the penalty just being a fine
Junior talking about the same admitted that he hates NASCAR penalizing driver like parents do with children. He doesn’t believe in the “next time there will be consequences” comments and wanted NASCAR to step in and make the difference.
I hate that because it’s kind of like your parent going, ‘Next time, it’s your ass. Next time, you’re getting the belt.’ Maybe now’s the time to bring the belt…It’s just like that parent where they’re always threatening the next time. It’s like ‘Alright.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
The fact that 23XI Racing has decided not to appeal the decision seems to be showing admission of guilt and it will be interesting see if the Chevy duo follow suit. It was an unsavory chapter of the sport that should never happen again and NASCAR needs to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
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Justin P Joy
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