Dale Earnhardt Jr. calls out NASCAR’s harsh officiating after a controversial decision at Phoenix Raceway. Joey Logano was leading when officials handed him a costly penalty for crossing the yellow line too soon. The ruling sent him from first to 37th place, disrupting his entire race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. strongly disagreed, saying the punishment was too harsh. Should NASCAR have been more lenient? With debates growing, questions about fairness in officiating are once again in the spotlight.
Key Highlights
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. criticizes NASCAR’s decision to penalize Joey Logano for crossing the yellow line early at Phoenix Raceway.
- Earnhardt Jr. describes the penalty as excessive and suggests a warning would have sufficed.
- Logano’s penalty disrupted his race strategy, dropping him from first to 37th place.
- Despite the setback, Logano displayed resilience by finishing 13th in the race.
- Earnhardt Jr. calls for NASCAR to consider competitive context and fairness in future officiating decisions.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Defends Joey Logano Over Restart Violation
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has voiced his support for Joey Logano following a controversial restart incident at Phoenix Raceway where Logano was penalized for crossing below the yellow line too early.
Earnhardt Jr., a respected figure in NASCAR, expressed his belief that the penalty was overly harsh on the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion. During the lap 14 restart, Logano, who had previously clinched victory at the same track, navigated his vehicle below the yellow line before the start/finish line, prompting officials to issue a drive-through penalty.
Earnhardt Jr.’s defense of Logano emphasizes his view that the penalty lacked leniency, highlighting that such infractions should consider the competitive context.
NASCAR’s decision to penalize the Team Penske driver illustrated the strict adherence to restart regulations. However, Earnhardt Jr.’s comments sparked a dialogue on the balance between enforcing rules and allowing for competitive racing, urging a reconsideration of the penalty’s severity in future incidents.
Dale Jr. Believes NASCAR Officials Were Too Strict
Although debates about NASCAR officiating are common, the recent penalty imposed on Joey Logano at Phoenix Raceway has sparked particular controversy. Dale Earnhardt Jr., through his podcast, expressed disapproval of the officiating decision.
He argued that the penalty for Logano’s early move was excessive and not beneficial, emphasizing that it would have been more appropriate for NASCAR to issue a warning instead. He described the decision as “nitpicky,” suggesting it lacked fairness. Despite his co-host TJ Majors’ view that Logano gained an advantage, Earnhardt Jr. maintained his position.
“That would have been a moment to say, ‘Look, man. We’re not going to torpedo Joey’s day over about 12 inches of asphalt. He didn’t gain anything from it.’ It would have been a good time to say, ‘Alright, everybody, we’re sending out a warning. The #22 car was aggressive there. Stop doing it.'”
“I think that would have been the play. But I just feel like it was a little bit nitpicky.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Was it necessary to penalize Joey Logano? TJ’s last word about it is too good. 😂
Watch the full @DaleJr Download here ➡️ https://t.co/yqHfjLfmwl pic.twitter.com/wV50U1IYAg
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 11, 2025
Earnhardt Jr.’s stance highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between strict officiating and fair play, emphasizing the need for consistency in NASCAR’s decisions.
Joey Logano’s Penalty Ruins His Race Strategy
Joey Logano’s race strategy faced a prominent setback due to the penalty he incurred at Phoenix Raceway. Starting from the lead position, Logano was hit with a penalty on lap 20, forcing him to relinquish his position to William Byron.
As he served the penalty, Logano dropped to the back of the pack, rejoining the race in 37th place, trailing even behind open car driver Katherine Legge. This penalty disrupted the No. 22 team’s carefully crafted strategy, which had initially positioned Logano for a potential victory.
Despite this considerable disadvantage, the resilient three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion systematically navigated his way through the field over the course of the 312-lap race.
His persistence paid off as he climbed to finish in 13th place, leading the charge for Team Penske. Logano’s performance, despite the penalty, illustrated his ability to adapt and recover, highlighting his status as a formidable competitor in the NASCAR circuit.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Austin Cindric’s Penalty at COTA
The recent penalty imposed on Austin Cindric for his on-track incident at the Circuit of the Americas has sparked considerable debate within the NASCAR community.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has weighed in on the matter, expressing his disagreement with the penalty Cindric received for right-hooking Ty Dillon. While NASCAR decided on a $50,000 fine and a 50-point reduction, they refrained from imposing a suspension, which contrasts with past actions in similar situations.
Earnhardt Jr. voiced his opinion, suggesting that the penalty should match those given for right-hooking incidents, in line with the views of some drivers such as Denny Hamlin, who advocated for stricter measures.
This incident emphasizes the ongoing discussion about consistency in NASCAR’s officiating. Earnhardt Jr.’s comments highlight the broader concerns within the sport about ensuring that penalties are applied uniformly, a topic that continues to resonate among drivers and fans similarly, as they seek fairness and transparency in decision-making.
Dale Jr. Disagrees with Calls for Austin Cindric’s Suspension
While many drivers and fans have called for Austin Cindric’s suspension following his right-hook incident with Ty Dillon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has voiced his disagreement with such demands.
Earnhardt Jr. understands the perspective of drivers like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, who argue that any right-hook incident, regardless of speed, should be treated fairly. However, he does not fully align with this view, suggesting that the context and consequences should also be considered.
“I understand what some of the drivers are saying as far as Kyle Busch and Denny who were like […] ‘I don’t care if you’re going 10mph or 200mph, a right-hook is a right-hook and it shall all be treated the same.’ Yeah, I don’t know if I can agree with that.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Impact on Playoffs: If Cindric were suspended, his potential playoff run would be jeopardized, especially under the new rule that forfeits playoff points for missing a race due to suspension.
- Severity Consideration: Earnhardt Jr. believes NASCAR likely took into account the aftermath of Cindric’s incident, which was less severe compared to high-speed track incidents.
- Current Standings: Despite leading for 112 laps, Cindric ranks 32nd, trailing behind teammates Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano.
News in Brief: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Calls Out NASCAR’s Harsh Officiating
Dale Earnhardt Jr. criticized NASCAR’s strict officiating, highlighting the impact of penalties on race outcomes. He defended Joey Logano, whose race strategy was disrupted by a controversial restart violation penalty. Earnhardt Jr. also addressed the penalty against Austin Cindric at COTA, opposing calls for Cindric’s suspension.
Through these discussions, Earnhardt Jr. emphasized the need for balanced decision-making in officiating, advocating for fairness and consistency to maintain the integrity of the sport and support drivers’ efforts.
ALSO READ: Dale Earnhardt Jr. on NASCAR’s Tire Gamble—Did Goodyear Get It Right?
