During a recent episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat down with renowned motorsports journalist Deb Williams to discuss significant moments in NASCAR history, highlighting both progress and lingering challenges within the sport. The Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR podcast interview revealed candid reflections on historic gender policies and controversial race outcomes, featuring personal experiences and strong opinions from those deeply involved in the racing world.
Deb Williams Sheds Light on Historic NASCAR Policies
Dale Earnhardt Jr. welcomed Deb Williams, currently a senior writer at RacinToday.com and a veteran contributor to National Speed Sport News and FasTrack, to recount her early experiences in NASCAR journalism. Williams described being confronted by NASCAR’s “No Women Allowed” policy at Darlington Raceway back in 1980, an unexpected obstacle during her initial appearance as a credentialed reporter. As she recalled, this exclusionary rule created immediate tension for women attempting to cover the sport.
“That was Labor Day, 1980. But it was interesting because Jay Wells (PR at Rockingham at the time) was helping out (at Darlington), and he was in the press box,”
Williams told Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“And when I got in the press box, and I saw him, and that was on my press pass, I chewed him out.”
—Deb Williams, Senior NASCAR Journalist
“And he’s up there going, ‘We’re not talking about women like you.’ So the next time I went back, it wasn’t on there,”
she added with a smile. —Deb Williams, Senior NASCAR Journalist
Williams explained to Earnhardt Jr. that the involvement of major corporations in NASCAR helped end many discriminatory traditions, such as gender-segregated facilities. Notably, she shared that North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first venue on the circuit to have separate bathrooms for men and women, marking a major step in inclusivity at racing events.
North Wilkesboro Speedway’s Comeback and Current Role
Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself played a crucial role in reviving North Wilkesboro Speedway, a track that had been neglected for decades. After a lengthy hiatus, NASCAR returned to the site in 2023 for its annual All-Star event, reintroducing top-tier competition to the foothills track after nearly twenty-seven years away. This move was celebrated as both nostalgic and forward-looking, linking the sport’s storied past to its present and future.
This year, the famous speedway hosted the All-Star Race for a third consecutive season. However, in a significant change for next year, North Wilkesboro will shift to hosting a regular-season points race, while the All-Star Race itself will move to Dover Motor Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s Commentary on Recent Xfinity Series Controversy
In the aftermath of Connor Zilisch’s contentious victory in last week’s Xfinity Series event at Portland Raceway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. leveraged his podcast platform to express frustration over NASCAR’s enforcement policies. Zilisch, a current full-time JR Motorsports driver and former Trackhouse Racing development prospect, found himself at the center of debate due to rule interpretations regarding track limits.
“There’s probably some protocol or something already in place. Everybody knew beforehand if you don’t run the A-frame, it’s like a lot of seconds. It’s like 30 seconds of some s**t, or your lap don’t count. Why didn’t they do that? I mean, it’s the most important lap of the race.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner and Hall of Famer
“I know it’s not the fastest way, they didn’t gain any advantage, but they did put four tires off the racetrack and cut the corner, and NASCAR hasn’t stepped in to do anything before,”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained. —Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner and Hall of Famer
According to Earnhardt Jr., consistent penalties should be applied for drivers who do not adhere to established track boundaries, a stance reflecting wider conversations within the community about transparency and fairness in officiating.
Looking Ahead for JR Motorsports and North Wilkesboro
The next event for Connor Zilisch and JR Motorsports will be the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog at World Wide Technology Raceway, scheduled for Saturday, September 6. Broadcast coverage will be provided by CW at 7:30 pm ET, with additional updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As for North Wilkesboro Speedway, its new role as a regular-season points race venue marks an evolution in NASCAR’s schedule, a development closely watched by both competitors and fans alike. The shifting landscape of event locations and ongoing policy debates underscore the dynamic, sometimes contentious, environment that continues to shape the future of stock car racing.
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