Dale Earnhardt Jr. Declares Daytona 500 Has “Fallen from the Perch”

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on Daytona 500 no longer having the elite race status the sport once had.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Declares Daytona 500 Has “Fallen from the Perch”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)

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The Daytona 500 has always been the race every NASCAR driver dreams of winning. But over the last few years, the race that is considered the fourth crown jewel race in the world of motorsports, seems to have lost its elite charm amidst the racers. Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has won there twice, shared his thoughts on the unfortunate situation.

In the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that over the last several years Daytona and Talladega have faced huge criticism from the experts, including himself. This has made drivers question the significance of the race and the two ties Xfinity Series champion has problem with the race losing its elite status.

I love Daytona. I also love Talladega. But the racing there over the last several years has taken a beating from critics, myself included. Drivers would even argue—is the Daytona 500 still the most important race of the year? It’s fallen from that perch, and that’s a problem for me.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

He then went onto explain the significance Daytona 500 once had. It was compared Super Bowl, and every driver was giving everything they could to secure the trophy. Multiple times champion like Tony Stewart, who retired without winning it, even once admitted that he is ready to give up a Cup for the 500 wins. The current group of racers doesn’t seem to have the same feeling.

The Daytona 500, for all of my life, has been compared to the Super Bowl of the NFL. Everyone did everything they could to try to win it once. It was even compared to a championship. Would you trade a Daytona 500 trophy for a championship? No one’s asking those questions now.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is open to increasing stages in Superspeedways

The conversation about the elite status of the race started while the veteran was talking abut adding an additional stage to Superspeedway races to make it more entertaining as well as competitive. He is open to NASCAR making this change, considering Coke 600 already has four stages and no one has complained about it.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (via Imago)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (via Imago)

The idea of adding a fourth stage to the superspeedway races, so Daytona and Talladega, didn’t sit well with fans. That doesn’t sound so crazy to me because we already have a fourth stage in the 600 and no one cares.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

Later, after the passionate speech about the reduced elite status, Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that while adding a firth stage is going to make racing better it isn’t the bets solution. While fans want NASCAR to don’t reveal when the caution should be thrown, Junior pointed out that the sanctioning body isn’t going to consider the suggestions.

Adding this fourth stage and making those races mean more from a points standpoint—is it the best solution? No. Fans will tell you, “Get rid of the stages. Don’t tell them when you’re going to throw the yellows. Then they can’t predict and plan.” Great points. I don’t think NASCAR is considering that.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.

The veteran is right to assume that NASCAR is looking to just adding another stage and nothing more. It would be interesting to see how the fans are going to respond when the change is announced and how it’s going to affect racing.

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