During the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Joey Logano‘s comments after losing to Christopher Bell sparked controversy and drew criticism from Dale Earnhardt Jr, igniting debate about racing conduct. The incident centers on the Joey Logano All-Star Weekend controversy and Dale Earnhardt Jr reaction, which has become a focal point among fans and within the NASCAR community.
Christopher Bell Clinches Victory Amid Rising Tensions
Christopher Bell secured a dramatic win at the 2025 All-Star Race, held on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway, earning a $1 million prize for both himself and Joe Gibbs Racing. The race‘s decisive moment came in the final laps when Bell executed a clean overtake on Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion.
Following the race, Logano expressed frustration about the way Bell raced him. He suggested that, had he managed to catch Bell’s No. 20 car, he “would have wrecked him.” Logano’s comments immediately fueled discussion about aggressive driving and sportsmanship, especially at a high-stakes event.
Joey Logano Walks Back Comments, but Earnhardt Jr Remains Critical
After initially making his post-race remarks, Logano later retracted his statement, attributing his reaction to the heat of the moment. Despite this reversal, Dale Earnhardt Jr made clear on his Dale Jr Download podcast that Logano’s comments continued to bother him.
“Joey Logano got out of the car after the All-Star race and said that he was annoyed with how he was raced by CBell [Christopher Bell],”
Earnhardt Jr said on his Dale Jr Download podcast. Earnhardt Jr acknowledged Logano’s attempt to walk back the comments, reflecting on Logano’s later acceptance that Bell’s driving was in fact fair:
“Apparently, he’s now walked that stuff back. He was like ‘yep, I was a little heat of the moment’.”
He went on to credit Bell for his sportsmanship, remarking,
“You get out from a 40,000-foot view and watch it, and you go, ‘Okay, it’s for a million dollars’… it was clean.”
Speaking about Bell’s reputation, Earnhardt Jr stated,
“Christopher Bell’s not a dirty driver. Has anybody ever seen Christopher Bell do anything suspect? I think the guy’s kinda one of the nice guys.”
Earnhardt Jr continued to stress his objection to Logano’s immediate response:
“I still have a problem with Joey having that instant reaction.”
For him to have the instant reaction he had still is an irk.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr, NASCAR legend and podcast host
Ongoing Discussion and Its Significance
The controversy reflects deeper conversations about behavior in high-pressure NASCAR events, with the Joey Logano All-Star Weekend controversy and Dale Earnhardt Jr reaction bringing renewed scrutiny to driver conduct. As the series continues and Cup Series competitors like Logano, Bell, and Earnhardt Jr remain under the spotlight, race fans and teams will likely keep a close eye on post-race interactions and statements.
With Joe Gibbs Racing celebrating Bell’s victory and Team Penske addressing questions about driver futures, tensions within the NASCAR paddock are unlikely to subside soon. The reaction from high-profile figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr highlights the intensity of the All-Star Weekend, underlining how words and actions off the track can shape the narrative just as much as performances on it.
