Hall of Famer Wants NASCAR to “Tear Next-Gen Car Apart” and Fix It

Since the introduction of the Next-Gen cars in the 2022 season, there has been a lot a debate around the cars not being up to the mark. The major point of contention in the one-and-a-half-mile track race product, that can only be fixed with redesigning the car or making massive tweaks. Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on the situation recently.

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, the two times Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that there are multiple things he wants NASCAR to change with the car. The only positive change the sanctioning body has made so far, his getting the tire falloff right. But meanwhile there are so many factors of the car that needs similar change.

I do like the tire, the falloff. That’s like one little thing, but there’s so many little things that I wish were different. The tire this weekend — so good. More of that, please. I’ll be honest, this car — I’ve talked in length about this car on this show.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

Further talking about the point, the JR Motorsports co-owner pointed out that things like the cars current underbody doesn’t belong in the car. He wants the officials to tear the car apart, het rid of the parts that are making racing worse, as at the moment there is no hope for the 7^th Gen car in one and half mile tracks.

Things about the car physically that I just don’t think belongs on the car. The underbody and all of that stuff. I would really tear this car apart and strip it down, get rid of some sh*t. I would not touch it in its current form for the mile-and-a-half and stuff.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants an unplugged version of the NASCAR Next-Gen car

In the same conversation, Junior talked about what he changes he wants to see from the car before going to one of his favorite venues, the iconic Martinsville Speedway. He pointed out that the only way to have a race similar to ones the sport had in its glory days at the venue is to have an unplugged version of the car.

But for the car I’m gonna take to Martinsville, it would be like the unplugged version instead of the full band. It would be the unplugged version of the Next Gen. You don’t need all that sh*t.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The veteran believes the stripped-down version of the car would give driver the opportunity beta the shit out of, going all out for the win, despite the fact that the car might be basic and dull. He believes a leaner and simpler version of the car, without any change from outside, can make racing better.

It’d be so basic and dull, you’d beat the sh*t out of it. Go out there and beat the sh*t out of it. It could look the same to you on TV, but underneath the shell, it would be a much, much simpler, leaner version.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

The comments from the ex-Hendrick Motorsports driver seems to have some merit. But at the same time NASCAR didn’t build the Next-Gen with years of R&D to go back to the basics. They should find ways to fix the car, before limiting it evolution. The more development done to the car, the more it’s going help the sport and the manufactures as a whole.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Breaks Silence on Race Manipulation Accusation at Roval

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW