Dale Earnhardt Jr. criticizes NASCAR for ‘Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott penalties’ at Brickyard 400

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t happy with NASCAR dishing out penalties at Brickyard 400.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. criticizes NASCAR for ‘Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott penalties’ at Brickyard 400

Brad Keselowski, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (In Circle) and Chase Elliott (Via IMAGO)

NASCAR has been at the receiving end of criticism from the racing community over the questionable penalty calls from last weeks’ Brickyard 400. Former Cup champions Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing and Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports getting a penalty for a blend line violation at the Indianapolis Oval return.  

Now Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has given his verdict on the topic via his Dale Jr. Download podcast. He admitted the penalty given to Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski were two main things he has been wanting criticize NASCAR for. He then went onto explain how the rule NASCAR put in place for Sunday’s race.

YouTube video
There were a couple of things that, if I wanted to criticize NASCAR, there were a couple of penalties, and I think Brad and Chase Elliott received these penalties. So, when you exit pit road, you’re on the run-off lane. It’s this little strip of asphalt that’s separated from the race track. But right in between Turn 1 and Turn 2, it’s connected to the racing surface.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

He asserted that drivers making such move to get more acceleration on the back straightway by swinging out and crossing the like has been very common instance over the years at Indy. NASCAR previously had never looked into it even after aggressive drivers swinged out more than usual on certain occasions.

FS Video
A lot of drivers swing out, crossing a couple white lines, to get a good angle of attack on this run-off, this exit lane, through Turn 2, so they could accelerate down the back straightaway. So, this is a really common move. Very common. Some drivers are more aggressive than others, in terms of how far they swing out, but it’s never been a topic of conversation.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserts NASCAR didn’t designate any specific line

While further talking on the topic, the JRM co-owner pointed out that content and explanation NASCAR gave to the tram wasn’t clear cut enough. He highlighted how it didn’t designate any specific line that cant be crossed causing the confusion.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
I know that NASCAR gave them some content, some explanation, about what they expect the drivers and teams to do in this area before the race. It really says pretty much what we all knew, ‘You can swing out, you can come off line and get out there a little bit close to the race track.’ It did not designate any specific line, or anything that you couldn’t cross. … I’ve seen so many cars go where they went.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

Both Keselowski and Elliott weren’t happy with the call as well. With the Olympics break in full swing the racers are already over it. But NASCAR shouldn’t be, as they should be looking into the matter to ensure that such incident won’t repeat again.

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