Dale Earnhardt Jr. backs Erik Jones after Bell crash during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Nashville, stepping in to defend the Legacy Motor Club driver and suggesting Christopher Bell was at fault. The crash occurred on June 1 at Nashville, disrupting both drivers‘ races and fueling renewed debate over responsibility during high-stakes restarts.
Earnhardt Points to Bell After Incident With Jones in Nashville
Sunday’s Cup Series race in Nashville took a turn after the third caution when Erik Jones tried to make a bold move underneath Christopher Bell at the restart. The two drivers, both fighting for top positions—Bell in fifth and Jones right behind in seventh—clashed as Jones approached from the inside lane. The contact sent Bell’s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing <a href="https://slicksandsticks.com/tag/toyota/”>Toyota spinning into the outer wall, ruining his shot at a higher finish despite eventually crossing the line in tenth place.
While Jones managed to finish seventh, most attention centered on blame for the incident. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr., drawing from his own racing career, made it clear that Jones should not be singled out for the crash.
“There was a couple of times in my career where I got wrecked in my mind,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Reflecting on his own experiences, Earnhardt described how his former crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., rarely gave out sympathy—even after a wreck. Instead, Eury would consider whether the crash could have been avoided by the driver themselves.
“And I walk up to him and he goes, ‘What the hell were you thinking running on the door of that guy, or running so tight on him?’ He was like, ‘You could’ve avoided that. You should have known better,’”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
Evolving Rivalry and the Legacy of Car No. 20
Earnhardt Jr. argued that Bell, currently one of the series’ strongest drivers, should have anticipated the move and avoided the crash altogether. He pointed out the backgrounds of both drivers—Jones having previously piloted the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing from 2018 to 2020, while Bell took over from 2021 onward. This context added a personal edge to their confrontation in Nashville.
“And I think that’s what I would do in this case. If I had them both [Jones and Bell] sitting here, I’d look instead of Erik Jones, I’d look at CB [Bell] and go, ‘Damn, dude. What’d you expect him to do? You’re driving his old car. He’s still a little pissed off about that. And you blocked him to the apron,’”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
The crash’s fallout came as Jones currently struggles to reach the top ten—sitting twenty-fourth in Cup Series standings with only two top-ten finishes—while Bell stands third overall, with three wins and six top-fives this season. For both, the Nashville incident highlighted the intense competitive atmosphere as well as the personal motivations at play.
Drivers’ Perspectives on Risk and Decision-Making
Earnhardt Jr. further pushed the point that Bell, with his current form and experience, should have exercised more caution instead of expecting leniency from Jones during such a crucial moment. He questioned Bell’s decision-making in light of Jones’ desperation to climb the ranks in an underperforming car.
“‘What do you want him to do? He ain’t in the top, he run in the top five once every 15 races.’ Jones is on the inside, got blocked the apron, and we had a lot of time to sit there and watch him decide not to let the 20 live.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
“Jones had more time in my mind, milliseconds, but more time to make a different decision, right? Guys in the back are just trying to survive. They’re starving,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer
The result left racing fans and analysts debating whether more veteran drivers should shoulder greater responsibility in avoiding on-track incidents, especially when racing against former teammates.
What This Means for the NASCAR Cup Series Going Forward
The scrutiny surrounding the Nashville crash comes at a crucial point in the NASCAR Cup Series, as both Christopher Bell and Erik Jones chase pivotal points heading into the summer stretch. Dale Earnhardt Jr. backing Jones after the Bell crash underscores the complexity of mid-pack battles and stresses the necessity for experienced drivers like Bell to anticipate aggressive maneuvers—especially from those seeking to make a rare appearance in the front group. The incident may serve as a blueprint for future showdowns as the racing season intensifies and competitive tensions escalate on the track.
