Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently addressed the growing discussion about adding road course events to grassroots racing series, shining a light on significant challenges involved. Amid NASCAR’s push toward more road course races and the introduction of Next Gen cars in 2022, fans and stakeholders wonder if local series like the CARS Tour could follow this trend to better prepare aspiring drivers for top-tier racing.
Technical and Financial Barriers Stand in the Way
Although grassroots racing divisions could theoretically adopt more road courses, Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that doing so comes with daunting technical and financial obstacles. The question arose after a fan tagged Earnhardt Jr. on social media, suggesting that he help boost attendance at Virginia International Raceway by scheduling a CARS Tour event there. Earnhardt Jr., long a central figure in grassroots racing and now a CARS Tour owner, responded candidly about the practical roadblocks.
He pointed out that such a change would require teams to invest in new transmissions and oil pans, and the initial outlay could be substantial. Teams would also have to revisit their strategies, budgets, and equipment plans, making the leap far from simple. Still, he did not rule the idea out entirely, leaving open the possibility if the right pathway emerges in the future.
“Would be awesome to find a pathway to get one single road course event on our schedule. I’ve learned through the Dodge deal, on the front end we would need different transmissions and oil pans. There’s also a lot more expense per team to consider beyond that. But it’s not…”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 30, 2026
Industry Voices Stress the Complexity
Brian Keselowski, a former driver, added his own perspective, explaining that the costs hardly end with transmissions or oil pans. Virtually every component—chassis, brakes, suspension, ball joints, axles, rear-ends, shocks, and body placement—would require changes, and the differences between oval and road course setups run deep.
“It’s just so expensive no matter what you do. Hopefully, you can lock guys into running the same chassis, but then 90% of the components are different. Transmissions, Brakes, LF suspension, ball joints(we learned the hard way), axles, rear-ends, shocks, and the entire body placement.”
— Brian Keselowski, former driver
Responding to this breakdown, Dale Earnhardt Jr. underscored just how complex the transition would be for the teams, cementing the notion that the logistics extend far beyond a simple addition to the racing calendar.
“You nailed it. It’s a massive undertaking for teams.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 2, 2026
Fan Reaction and Broader Implications
The discussion sparked lively reactions across the racing community, some of whom are already weary of the rising number of road course events in the NASCAR Cup Series. Many long-time fans struggle with the idea of grassroots series following suit, especially given Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s own history, as he was not widely known for excelling on road courses as a driver. The split in sentiment reflects both nostalgia for oval racing and concern about practical implications for teams and drivers at the lower levels.
The debate over Dale Earnhardt Jr. road courses highlights the balancing act facing grassroots organizers. While preparing drivers for evolving demands at higher levels is a worthy objective, the operational and financial realities make dramatic changes unlikely in the near future. The issue also signals broader questions ahead for NASCAR and feeder series as they adapt to racing’s changing landscape, with many closely watching how leadership and drivers, including Earnhardt Jr., chart the next chapter for short track and regional racing.
Would be awesome to find a pathway to get one single road course event on our schedule. I've learned through the Dodge deal, on the front end we would need different transmissions and oil pans. There's also a lot more expense per team to consider beyond that. But it's not… https://t.co/A3I6KW4pkd
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 30, 2026
You nailed it. It's a massive undertaking for teams.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 2, 2026
