Dale Earnhardt Jr. publicly expressed his disapproval of Joey Logano’s response following the recent NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, discussing his concerns about Logano’s conduct and comments on his podcast. The controversy erupted after Logano lost the lead late in the race to Christopher Bell, bringing the spotlight onto Dale Earnhardt Jr criticizes Joey Logano after NASCAR All-Star Race.
Joey Logano Reacts After Losing All-Star Race Lead
Joey Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, found himself at the center of attention when Christopher Bell overtook him with just ten laps remaining in the NASCAR All-Star Race. Bell’s late surge secured him the victory, while Logano, frustrated after leading most of the event, voiced his displeasure in a post-race interview.
“I did all I could do to hold him off and he got under me and released the brake and gave me no option,”
Logano told Fox Sports.
“Kind of just ran me up into the wall, and if I could’ve got to him, he was going around after a move like that, I just couldn’t get back to him. Just too much to try to make up with the tire deficit. Just frustrated after you lead so many laps and the car is so fast and you don’t win, it hurts quite a bit.”
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
Soon after, Logano reconsidered his harsh words, telling NBC Sports that upon reviewing the race, Bell’s move was not as egregious as he initially thought. His admission, however, did not immediately calm the waters among fellow drivers and fans.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Voices His Issues with Logano’s Response
On his podcast, “Dale Jr. Download,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it clear that he took issue with how Logano handled the situation, both in the immediate aftermath and in the days following the incident. Earnhardt highlighted the widespread reaction on social media and among the NASCAR community, emphasizing that even Christopher Bell was surprised by Logano’s initial public outburst.
“Joey gets out and says that stuff and holy [expletive], everybody went after him. In the world of social media, which I know is a tip of the iceberg but still, everybody was taken aback,”
Earnhardt said. “Even Christopher Bell, when they told him he was like, ‘Really?’ He was really surprised that Joey felt the way he felt. Does it make it OK now that Joey walked them back? I don’t know.
“I still have a problem with Joey having that instant reaction. Even though he walks it back a day later, I appreciate that. He went and watched it and went, ‘Alright, it wasn’t that bad.’ For him to have the instant reaction he had, still is a irk.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR team owner and former driver
Earnhardt’s remarks underline his lingering concerns about Logano’s demeanor, suggesting that a driver’s immediate reaction carries weight, even if it is later retracted. The commentary from Earnhardt Jr., a respected figure in NASCAR and owner in the Xfinity Series, added to the discussion already brewing within the motorsports world.
Ongoing Repercussions Ahead of the Next Major Race
To date, Joey Logano has not issued a response addressing Earnhardt’s pointed criticism. Logano has instead shifted his focus to preparations for the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, opting not to engage further in the debate.
This incident has sparked debate among fans and insiders, reigniting focus on sportsmanship and driver conduct after emotional race outcomes. With the next race on the calendar and the spotlight still on Logano, the situation underlines how the reactions of top athletes are scrutinized and can influence public perception across the NASCAR community. Both Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s and Joey Logano’s perspectives are expected to be topics of discussion as the Cup Series heads into its next phase.
