Dale Earnhardt Jr. has voiced deep concern over the fate of Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR tracks as a high-stakes antitrust lawsuit unfolds between NASCAR and both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. With this court battle underway, Earnhardt Jr. warned fans that if NASCAR loses its authority over the racetracks it owns, many famous tracks could vanish, dramatically altering the sport’s landscape.
Potential Consequences for Iconic Tracks and Racing Culture
NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports Inc. currently own most of the facilities used during each Cup Series season. The lawsuit raises the possibility that NASCAR may be required to give up direct ownership and management of these venues. According to Earnhardt Jr., such a scenario could spell the end for several legendary tracks, endangering both oval and short track racing traditions.
Expressing his apprehensions, Earnhardt Jr. stated,
“In ten years, we will be racing in a bunch of street courses. We need NASCAR to run the tracks because it’s a dying sort of business model.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
He warned of the industry’s looming reality if NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith no longer controlled the tracks, describing a grim outlook where these iconic locations might be repurposed for commercial developments rather than racing.
Economic Pressures Impacting Track Operations
Kelley Earnhardt, who co-hosted the podcast episode with Dale Earnhardt Jr., compared running a racetrack to the tough economics of farming, arguing that the business model is rarely sustainable on its own. She highlighted that the land racetracks currently occupy could fetch much higher prices if sold for purposes other than racing, making them vulnerable in a shifting market.
Further underscoring these worries, Earnhardt Jr. said,
“If NASCAR or really anyone were off to selling race tracks, one after the other, they’re gonna be gone and disappear. We are not gonna have these big ovals and short tracks and all this stuff. This sport would just change incredibly.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Legal Decisions Could Determine Destiny of America’s Ovals
U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell, overseeing the case, had warned before December 1 that moving ahead with trial proceedings could have drastic outcomes. He noted that NASCAR might even be compelled to sell its racetracks to comply with potential future rulings, depending on how the case concludes.
Despite these warnings, NASCAR and the teams have chosen to contest the case. Should 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports prevail, experts and insiders suggest the likelihood of NASCAR being forced to relinquish direct control over tracks is significant, which could accelerate the risks addressed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt.
Uncertain Road Ahead for Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR Tracks
The possibility of losing beloved race venues has sparked considerable anxiety among drivers, fans, and business stakeholders. With the trial’s outcome still to be determined, questions remain around how the sport’s character, traditions, and locations could change, and whether the racing community can adapt if many historic tracks are pushed to extinction. The voices of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt leave a stark warning that what happens next could redefine the essence of American stock car racing.
Whatever happens, we don't want to see race tracks disappear. 🏁@DaleJr | @EarnhardtKelley pic.twitter.com/8MZyrmN4hZ
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) December 10, 2025
