The ongoing discussion around the number of NASCAR road course events has gained new traction, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. on NASCAR road courses sparked a deeper look into the topic this week. This discussion emerges while Trackhouse Racing‘s rookie Shane van Gisbergen continues to impress, capturing four out of five road course victories in the current season.
The spotlight is firmly on van Gisbergen’s performance, but Earnhardt Jr.—a Hall of Famer and Xfinity Series champion—clarified that the call to change the current schedule is not about limiting SVG’s success. Rather, the central concern revolves around what fans expect from NASCAR road racing and how the present racing product aligns with those traditions.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Addresses Why Road Course Numbers Are Questioned
On a recent episode of his “Dale Jr. Download” podcast, Earnhardt Jr. tackled the reasons behind discontent over the number of road course races. He was explicit that any interest in reducing these events comes not from disenchantment with standout performers like Shane van Gisbergen, but from a desire to protect the essence of the sport itself.
“Nobody wants to get rid of, listen to this, this is really important: Nobody wants to get rid of road courses because SVG’s great. I mean if I was Trackhouse and anybody that worked there, I want more road courses. I want 12.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., via Dale Jr. Download
According to Earnhardt Jr., Team Trackhouse Racing and SVG fans would eagerly support more road courses given his current form. However, he pointed out that the wider NASCAR fanbase and community have a different set of priorities. The excitement over van Gisbergen’s streak lies in whether someone can finally dethrone him as road course king, especially as these tracks have become the main source of unpredictability in the season.
Performance of Next-Gen Cars Raises Concerns About Road Racing
The dominance of a single driver is not at the center of the debate for Earnhardt Jr. Instead, concerns are centered on how the Next–Gen NASCAR car has performed on road courses. Longtime fans expect high-octane, side-by-side battles and frequent opportunities for overtaking—an identity that has defined NASCAR’s appeal for many decades.
“So, nobody’s wanting to get rid of road courses because SVG is great. I look forward to going to road courses to see if he can be beat. What I think is [the] point is that the car struggles at road courses. It has since it came in.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. explained that, for the last 75 years, NASCAR has set expectations of wheel-to-wheel duels on every track. The current generation of cars, however, appears to have stifled overtaking on road courses, which disappoints many within the community. He stressed that these issues cannot be allowed to define the series’ long-term direction.
“We expect a faster car to be able to overtake with no problem. We expect contact. We expect door-to-door. That’s our expectation, because of the last 75 years of what we’ve seen. So, when we come up on a road course now and we don’t see what we expect, we’re not willing to allow this type of product to be normalized. Or we hope that this won’t be normalized.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. Shares His Ideal Number of Road Course Events
Earnhardt Jr., who also co-owns JR Motorsports, weighed in on how many road course races belong in the NASCAR Cup Series calendar. Acknowledging that he represents a minority opinion among the fans, he voiced his preference for a substantial reduction from the current total of events.
“My opinion on how many road courses we should have is going to be in the minority. I know that the way I feel about it is probably only about what 10% of the fanbase thinks. I like two road courses. I like Sonoma, I like Watkins Glen. I’m fine with a couple. And now I know that that’s the minority, so that’s why I don’t really talk about it too much and I don’t go on social media.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
The veteran racer’s suggestion is that only tracks like Sonoma and Watkins Glen stay on the schedule, reflecting a style of racing that resonates best with the sport’s roots. Earnhardt Jr. admitted that his viewpoint is unpopular and that he avoids amplifying the debate on social channels to sidestep backlash from the broader NASCAR community.
NASCAR Community Reacts as Decision Looms
Earnhardt Jr.’s remarks, coming from a respected voice and participant in NASCAR history, underline a complex debate between tradition and modernity in the Cup Series. With SVG providing much of the excitement this year, there is a tension between enjoying individual stars and preserving the competitive balance and style that once defined the series. Fans and officials alike are left considering whether a modest reduction to three or four road course events could restore some balance, while still leaving room for fan favorites and breakthrough stories on tracks like Sonoma and Watkins Glen. The next moves by NASCAR’s sanctioning body and feedback from the broader community will shape the direction of road racing in the seasons ahead.
