Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Dover All-Star has become a hot topic after NASCAR chose Dover Motor Speedway to host the All-Star Race, surprising much of the racing community. The shift from North Wilkesboro Speedway to Dover for the marquee exhibition in 2026 has drawn strong reactions, particularly from industry veterans and active drivers who did not anticipate this announcement.
NASCAR Shakes Up the All-Star Race Venue
Following two years of positive feedback at North Wilkesboro Speedway, most fans and analysts had expected the historic track to earn a points-paying race. Instead, NASCAR opted to move the All-Star event to Dover Motor Speedway for 2026, removing Dover’s points race in the process. This decision caught veterans such as Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. off guard, while drivers like Bubba Wallace remain puzzled by the change.
After the recent Daytona event, Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com asked Bubba Wallace for his perspective. Wallace remarked,
“Really interested in Dover. I think Dover is probably hot topic for everybody. Really interested in the long-term game plan.”
—Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Wallace elaborated, noting that while recent races at Dover have seen strong fan turnouts, overall attendance and enthusiasm have fluctuated in previous years. He questioned whether the All-Star event at Dover is part of a longer-term plan by NASCAR, openly wondering if the track might be serving as a trial run for future changes to the schedule.
As Wallace put it,
“The racing product is (shrugs)… So, I’m just wondering if this is like Dover is going to take the bullet for this year to find something. That’s the way I’m looking at it.”
—Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing Driver
Veteran Drivers and Industry Leaders React to the Venue Switch
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has become a respected commentator on NASCAR’s direction, shared his surprise at the selection of Dover as the new home for the All-Star Race. He agreed with Denny Hamlin’s view that Dover’s demanding style is better suited to long, endurance races than short, entertainment-focused sprints, making the decision a tough one to understand.
Denny Hamlin has raised another issue around the logistics of the move, pointing to Dover’s lack of permanent lighting. To run the All-Star Race at night, Speedway Motorsports and CEO Marcus Smith would have to arrange for temporary fixtures, adding complexity and cost. Hamlin has expressed hope that NASCAR will revisit this decision, questioning whether Dover’s configuration and infrastructure are right for the high-profile event.
The Larger Implications for NASCAR’s Schedule
Bubba Wallace’s own history at Dover underlines the challenge the track presents to drivers. He has participated in 11 Cup Series events there with an average finish of 20.1, recording only a single top-10, which came after a strong run earlier this year. The move signals a willingness by NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports to experiment but has left many in the industry waiting to see the results and questioning whether the gamble will pay off.
With high-profile figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Bubba Wallace openly voicing their doubts, the spotlight is now firmly on Dover as it prepares to host the All-Star Race in 2026. The decision’s long-term impact will depend on how fans, teams, and drivers respond, and whether it truly reinvigorates the racing calendar or proves to be a short-lived experiment.
