Dale Earnhardt Jr. warns NASCAR that “asking the manufacturer to stop race manipulation” won’t work
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has discussed the rampant issue with race manipulation in the Cup series, with OEM making decisions.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
The concept of race manipulation in NASCAR became a huge topic of discussion following the final race of Round of 8 at Martinsville. Bubba Wallace, Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon were severely penalized by NASCAR over illegally aiding their OEM teammates. NASCAR was furious with the actions of the driver, as it questions the integrity of the sport.
NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell warned teamed and drivers about the consequences of the actions if the situation happens again ahead of the season finale. Cup champion Joey Logano revealed that NASCAR threatened driver with Daytona 500 ban, if they were caught doing anything illicit at Phoenix.
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. while talking about all this, explained that the threats of punishments isn’t enough to make OEM teammates from colluding on the track. He seems to be wants NASCAR to be more pro-active on the matter and open to penalizing team much faster than usually over such actions.
I wasn’t trying to get the drivers’ attention. I wasn’t trying to get the owners’ attention there with that idea of sitting the driver out for a week. It was what can really get the manufacturer to go, ‘Woah, we don’t want that.’ And that might be the only thing, right. It sucks for the driver because he’s just doing what he thinks he’s supposed to do. But I don’t think just asking the manufacturer to stop [is going to work].
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download podcast.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. defends drivers on the race manipulation claims
While previously talking about the same, Junior pointed out that though suspending drivers for a race for such actions is a productive measure, it isn’t always the right call. The racers often get forced to do things buy OEMs because of their interest and the drivers shouldn’t get the stick for it.
It’s not the drivers. Even though I think that would have been the deterrent to park them for a week, that might have been the deterrent to the overall problem which is the pressure from the top which is the manufacturer.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
Junior is right, as former Cup champion Kevin Harvick revealed last week that the OEMs make drivers to do things they are uncomfortable with on the track. NASCAR needs to find a balanced solution for it for the 2025 season and beyond.
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