Dale Earnhardt Jr. Urges NASCAR to “Get Rid of Overtime Finishes” From Xfinity and Truck

Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on the need to make massive change to overtime finishes in the lower divisions.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Urges NASCAR to “Get Rid of Overtime Finishes” From Xfinity and Truck

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)

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JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has one of the biggest voices, in the sport, especially when it comes to the lower divisions, as he us actively present for almost every races. One thing that disappoints him, like many regular racing fans, is the unwanted chaos in these races, a product of racers lacks if experience.

The overtimes restart that happens towards the end of the race often makes these event more chaotic, as often the young drivers cave to pressure and make reckless moves when the get an opportunity to win races. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants NASCAR to step up and end these extra laps for good, as the crashes are too much to handle.

If I was in charge, I would not have overtime finishes in Xfinity or Truck. I don’t think it serves any real purpose other than presenting more opportunities to crash and tear up more stuff.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. via Dale Jr. Download.

The veteran then went onto explain the financial aspects of these wrecks, highlighting how the vehicles raced is the series are worth around $250,0000. A limited group of people in the community discuss this aspect when wreck happens. So, he declared that he would get rid over overtime without a second thought.

The race cars and trucks, those are $150,000 to $250,000 vehicles. I think we lose sight of that. …No one really thinks anymore of like, ‘Damn, that was a couple million dollars’ worth of equipment got destroyed.’ I think that for the long-term good, I would get rid of overtime finishes in Truck and Xfinity.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

He then addressed the reason why NASCAR decided to have overtime; the fans. Sometimes the stock car races end under caution, owing to aggressive moves made by the racers. So, the overtime was introduced to give the fan the green flag finish to the race they came to see. Junior understand this reasoning, but still doesn’t believe overtime has a place in the lower divisions.   

Sometimes races just end under caution. That’s a hard thing for a lot of fans to grasp. They’ve paid to come see the race; they want to see it. They feel entitled or deserving of seeing a race across the line. I understand that.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t have issues with Cup Series having overtime

The Hall of Famer then discussed if overtime belongs in the premier division, the Cup Series. He asserted that it does, and highlighted how the experienced driver is making less mistakes in the same situation. The elite drivers are not destroying each other by getting involved in massive wrecks, instead they are cautiously taking risks to attempt for race wins.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via Newsweek)

I think we can have that in the Cup Series because those drivers make less mistakes, they’re more elite, they are not going to, in most cases, destroy themselves or the whole field racing in overtime finishes.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The comments from the veteran seems rational and something the sanctioning body should taken into account. A less chaotic lower division race is always good for the sport and drivers. But at the same time, if it is dropped, the young drivers might struggle to cope with overtime finish pressure when the gets to Cup Series.

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