Dale Earnhardt Jr. criticizes Next Gen car openly, reigniting debate within the NASCAR community following pointed remarks on his recent podcast. The outspoken Hall of Famer’s comments have sparked a public disagreement with Kyle Petty and drawn attention to the evolving direction of NASCAR’s vehicle design and competition.
Earnhardt’s Strong Objections to the Next Gen Car
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made it clear that he is not a fan of the NASCAR Next Gen car, using his platform on the Dale Jr. Download podcast to outline his issues with the vehicle. He described the car as departing from traditional NASCAR style, focusing on its similarities to sports cars rather than stock cars.
“I don’t love the Next Gen car,”
Earnhardt remarked, and followed up with a detailed critique:
“It’s an IMSA car. It’s a sports car. It’s got a diffuser. It’s got low-profile tires, it’s got big rims and big brakes. It’s a sports car. It’s not a NASCAR stock car, but it’s here. Everybody’s invested.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
This comment follows the continued presence of the Next Gen vehicle in NASCAR races since its introduction in 2022. Earnhardt’s dissatisfaction highlights ongoing divides about the future of the sport’s signature machines.
Kyle Petty Defends Next Gen and Counters Earnhardt
Kyle Petty, himself a veteran driver and the son of Richard Petty, pushed back firmly against Earnhardt’s perspective. He argued that NASCAR’s cars have always evolved—rarely staying close to the original concept of a stock car for decades. Petty positioned change as essential to the sport’s progress.
“We have not raced stock cars since about 1958,”
he said.
“We don’t race stock cars. We race NASCARs … We have to adjust to it. This is the racing we have. Embrace it, enjoy it. We’re seeing some spectacular stuff on the race track, and I think it’s only going to get better.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Commentator & Former Driver
Reactions from Industry Figures and Earnhardt’s Team
The exchange between Earnhardt and Petty did not go unnoticed by others inside the sport. Travis Rockhold, a producer at Earnhardt’s Dirty Mo Media, responded to a clip of Petty’s comments, questioning Petty’s claim about the racing quality. Rockhold posted,
“I’d like to ask Kyle what spectacular stuff has he seen.”
—Travis Rockhold, Producer
Earnhardt joined in the online chatter, responding humorously with a pop culture reference, reinforcing his skepticism of Petty’s optimism toward the Next Gen’s impact.
Debate Extends to Innovation and NASCAR’s Direction
Brock Beard, recognized in the community as a NASCAR historian, weighed in to shift the focus onto the constraints faced by teams under the current rule set. Beard argued teams have lost the capacity to innovate and improve their cars without fear of penalties. In defense, Petty described the Next Gen car as the result of NASCAR proactively guiding the direction of innovation in the sport.
“A racecar, as you know from history, is a constantly changing and evolving piece of equipment,”
Petty replied.
“In time it can and will change. The problem right now is we live in a world of instant gratification. No one wants to wait.”
—Kyle Petty, NASCAR Commentator & Former Driver
Earnhardt Advocates for Positive Change While Accepting the Status Quo
Despite his criticism, Earnhardt has stated that he supports NASCAR’s success and holds hope for the best future possible for the sport. On his podcast, he reiterated his desire to see improvements but acknowledged the reality that major shifts are unlikely anytime soon.
“I believe in a successful NASCAR, and I want NASCAR to succeed and be the best thing going,”
he said.
“But I’m not an influencer on what they’re gonna do with their race car. I wish I was … I wish that they would bring in a couple of guys that could help them maybe make a couple of changes or steer the thing in a different direction. That’s not going to happen.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
Ongoing Impact and What Lies Ahead for NASCAR
The discussion between Earnhardt, Petty, and others continues to highlight conflicting visions for NASCAR’s future as the Next Gen car becomes a fixture on the circuit. These conversations, marked by passionate debate from legends and experts, underscore significant shifts in racing culture and priorities.
As Next Gen cars remain central to NASCAR competition, fans and insiders alike will closely monitor how these differing viewpoints influence the sport’s development and the experience it delivers on the track. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s high-profile stance ensures the debate over tradition versus innovation will persist, shaping the narrative as NASCAR moves forward.
