Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Petty, both second-generation stars in the world of stock car racing, are currently divided over the direction of NASCAR‘s Next Gen car, sparking intense discussion within the community. This ongoing Dale Earnhardt Jr. Next Gen car controversy highlights strong disagreements about the car’s impact and the future of the racing sport.
Rival Perspectives on the Modern Cup Series Vehicle
Both Earnhardt Jr. and Petty have impressive family legacies and personal achievements in NASCAR—each the son of a Hall of Fame driver, with Earnhardt Jr. managing JR Motorsports and his Dirty Mo Media venture, and Petty also celebrated for his wins and heritage. When these two respected voices disagree, their debate gains immediate attention among fans and insiders.
This latest confrontation centers on opinions about the NASCAR Next Gen car and how it affects competition. Kyle Petty took to the PRN Live Podcast to laud the current Cup Series cars, crediting their advanced design and the excitement they bring to races.
“The NASCAR Next Gen car is a huge leap forward, so let’s embrace the change,”
he stated. —Kyle Petty, PRN Live Podcast. Petty further challenged skeptics to accept change, adding,
“Why cling to antiquated tech when the racing is only getting better? We’re seeing some spectacular stuff.”
—Kyle Petty, PRN Live Podcast.
Growing Frustration Among Drivers, Media, and Fans
The contrasting point of view has been shaped by recent race outcomes, especially at Iowa Speedway—where the NCS event was criticized for minimal passing and lack of dramatic position battles—and at Watkins Glen, which saw Shane van Gisbergen dominate with an 11.1-second margin for his fourth straight road course win. These races intensified scrutiny of the Next Gen car, with many believing it has made short tracks and road course events less competitive.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has echoed these criticisms, often voicing his concern on his own platforms.
“It’s a sports car, it’s not a NASCAR Stock Car,”
he declared on The Dale Jr. Download Podcast. —Dale Earnhardt Jr., The Dale Jr. Download Podcast. Despite his position as a broadcaster and major figure within NASCAR, he did not shy away from calling out the issues he sees, saying,
“I read a lot of the dialogue on line from people I respect. I believe what they say and I see what I see with my own eyes. I want to say, I don’t love the Next Gen car…but, it’s here.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., The Dale Jr. Download Podcast.
Earnhardt Jr. has taken issue with specific elements like the diffuser, large rims, and low-profile tires, which he believes make the car resemble an IMSA design more than a traditional NASCAR stock car. In a rebuttal, Petty maintained on PRN Live that evolution in racing vehicles is nothing new.
“We don’t race stock cars, we race NASCARs,”
he countered. —Kyle Petty, PRN Live Podcast. Petty referenced past changes and the pickiness of critics throughout the sport’s history, saying,
“They’ve complained all along as the progression of the cars.”
—Kyle Petty, PRN Live Podcast.
Balancing Critique and Broadcast Duty
On-air, Earnhardt Jr. strives to balance his honest opinions with his responsibilities as a commentator.
“I don’t know what to do about it,”
he admitted about his position within the sport as an analyst. —Dale Earnhardt Jr., The Dale Jr. Download Podcast. He recognizes the importance of highlighting positive aspects when presenting races to viewers, even as certain race moments exacerbate his discontent with the car’s design.
Specific incidents, such as William Byron defending aggressively against Eric Jones, have amplified his struggle with aspects of the car. Yet, Earnhardt Jr. also finds times where he appreciates the show the new car produces, believing that endless criticism serves no one’s interest. Despite his acceptance of some changes, his core stance remains clear:
“Would I have ever built a NASCAR Stock Car that had a diffuser? No.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., The Dale Jr. Download Podcast.
The Broader Impact on NASCAR’s Future
This public divide between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Petty has intensified fan debate concerning the direction of the NASCAR Next Gen car, especially with key events like those at Iowa Speedway and Watkins Glen drawing heightened reactions. The disagreement reflects the sport’s broader struggle between innovation and preserving tradition, involving figures such as Shane van Gisbergen, William Byron, and Eric Jones, while having significant influence across organizations like JR Motorsports, PRN Live, Dirty Mo Media, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
With continued dialogue from high-profile drivers and the passionate engagement of the NASCAR community, the evolution of the series remains a topic of robust, sometimes contentious, discussion. The ongoing Dale Earnhardt Jr. Next Gen car controversy signals that the balance between technological progress and the heart of stock car racing will remain at the forefront of the sport’s narrative.
