Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is campaigning for change in NASCAR.
The sports most popular driver went on the offensive Friday when talking about the economy, the Chase, and NASCAR's grueling schedule.
"We have basically a very similar reaction that baseball, hockey, a lot of other sports do that have long enduring schedules," Earnhardt, Jr. said. "There's lulls and inactivity between the fan and the sport itself at times. There's no way to fix that."
Earnhardt, Jr. also says the sport needs a schedule similar to that of the NFL, because "you get just enough to get excited and then it's all over and there's such a long wait. The model works."
He also discussed the money aspect of the sport—with teams merging, closing, and an expected 1,000 employees of teams in all three series to be layed off. This includes Junior Motorsports, who may not have a sponsor going into the 2009 Nationwide Series season.
"We're driven by the ability to go make another dollar and make more money and there's no way we would ever trim it down," he said. "When we were a 28-race schedule, the sport was giving you just enough to get really excited about the next season."
However, some of the changes NASCAR has gone through since Brian France took the helm in 2004 haven't sat well with the former two-time Busch Series champion
"I think it's not a good idea to go making a bunch of changes, especially with the Chase," the 33 year old said. "How do we understand what to change and how to make it better if we can't watch it and look at it for seven years or eight years and see how it's working and really get a good look at how it is working and not working?
"How can we really know what to change and make the right change? We shouldn't keep changing and changing until we stumble on the right spot and the right options and the right ways to have things."
Earnhardt, Jr. also called the numerous changes "foolish" and said they are "kind of how we got in this spot in the first place."
Like the fans, Junior wants to see this sport grow and become stronger.
It remains to be seen, however, if NASCAR will start listening to the people.
16 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Kelly Crandall 8 months ago
Great article Jen-
I tend to agree with him about the length of the schedule. During the summer months, it does seem to drag on and there are certain tracks that should not have two races.
I wouldn't mind seeing them shorten the schedule.
I do like the Chase and hope that they keep it but they shouldn't keep changing it every year. They created it and now we're stuck with it. I actually like it, but if I could change one thing, I would go back to having just five points seperate them. That way no one gets too big of a lead and things stay exciting. That's a Chase, not what we have now.
But unfortunately, I tend to think that Brain France is ruining the sport and he won't listen to anyone, so it seems the drivers and fans will never be happy.
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
I definitely agree- the schedule is very lenghty. I love the Chase, I just don't love how they line up by wins or that there's 12 instead of ten- consistency should be rewarded and you're right; five points separting them would be awesome, and it makes it closer going into Homestead.
Brian France- I've never been a fan, and I once again totally agree with you! He is ruining things by not listening to what everyone else is saying right now. If you won't listen to the athletes and you won't listen to the fans that pay for your house and your car and your jet, then you simply shouldn't be in charge.
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Kelly Crandall 8 months ago
Yep that's exactly right about Brian.
And is it just me or does he seem too concerned about having racing and NASCAR in California and having a Hollywood tie?
It's never good when you see Paris Hilton around.....
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
I think you're right! He's always wanting to appeal to the California market instead of focusing on where NASCAR is strong.
Yeah, and it's never good when Pam Anderson comes to a race. That might be because I'm a girl... I'm not sure haha.
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Kelly Crandall 8 months ago
Pam Anderson and Paris Hilton need to stay away.
France should be focusing on trying to fix NASCAR because there are sooo many problems right now. He said they wanted to go back to their roots, and NASCAR's roots are not in California, it's in the south and with the fans......
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
THANK YOU!! I totally, totally have been thinking that all year- start appealing to the south again, especially with races like Atlanta NOT selling out. If you can't make California sell out, well, ever, then let's focus on somewhere NASCAR can be successful and booming.
I'm glad Dale Jr. said something about this... I'm just sorry nothing is going to change.
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Kelly Crandall 8 months ago
California SHOULD NOT be in the Chase, that is a stupid move and an absolutely boring race. I too am glad that Dale Jr. said something, ,maybe now that the Most Popular Driver, the one that when he talks everyone listens, has said something, they might do something. Everyone says that Dale needs to stop talking and drive, but truth is, he's not afraid to say something and he knows that people listen.
Keep your fingers crossed.
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
Oh my gosh, I totally agree!! The race never sells out, and it's not even an interesting one just like you said. I would hope Dale Jr. speaking up would make a difference... I'm just not sure it will.
I think Brian France has his head too far up his rear end to care about the fans anymore... and I hate when people say the drivers should shut up and drive. They're helping BUILD this sport, it's important for them to voice their opinions!
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Kelly Crandall 8 months ago
It's not so much about California not selling out, even though they never do, but if you look at all the tracks, none of them are selling out. There were empty seats at Atlanta and Texas and it just makes me sad.
But California has never been an exciting race and putting it in the Chase will not help it. I'm just mad they took Atlanta out for that track....
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
I know, I really like Atlanta, and with it having finishes are almost always come down to the wire... why replace that with a race that the winner wins ten seconds ahead of the second place car?
Then again, a lot of races are like that- the leader just pulls ahead. Thank you, COT...
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Mary Jo Buchanan 8 months ago
Jen, good article and good for Jr. for speaking out. After all, he's not just a driver anymore - he has a huge stake in all of this as a team owner. I find Jr. more and more thoughtful when it comes to these issues - you can tell he gives it alot of consideration. I too agree that Brian France seems to listen to a very small group of cronies, but mostly himself. Let's see if Jr.'s thoughts can filter on up.
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
Thank you MJ. Junior sure has matured, hasn't he? Maybe if more and more drivers start speaking up, something will happen...
Well, okay- HOPEFULLY something will happen.
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S M Napier 8 months ago
Excellent job on this, Jen. I like the current 36 race schedule, since I'm not a MLB fan anymore, till the NFL season starts I'm watching the races, have watched every truck race this year and the 22 races Happy's driving in the Nationwide Series.
I hate the Chase, sure the economies bad a bunch of sponsors have left, but it's effected finding sponsor's and look what RCR did getting sponsors landing Caterpillar and General Mills. Now both these sponsors are paying more by the moves than what they did at BDR or PE. Sure if you could enter and fall out of the Chase, make it really a 36 race season again, Sponsors wouldn't mind paying 20 million plus to be on a car. The other problem is the young drivers if they don't produce they are gone, that needs to be fixed now not down the road and if you thought this silly season was outragious wait till next year.
I'm not a Brian France fan, he needs to be fired, promote Mike Helton to France position and bring in Humpy Wheeler to take Helton's position.
Honestly think had Bill France, Jr. capped Roush at three cars period, NASCAR would be a heck of alot cheaper for everyone involved in the Sport and we would not have teams merging, not having sponsors, teams closing and NASCAR would be sitting better in the current economy.
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
Thank you very much, SM! I don't just look at how long the season is, it's how SHORT the offseason is... the drivers basically just have a month off, and then they start testing in January and racing a month later. Are we saturating the market? Possibly. And I agree with you- I hate the new 12 driver, whoever wins the most races starts first, crap. CONSISTENCY wins championships, not wins- can anyone say Kyle Busch?
With the young guys... man, it's getting so hard to make it in this sport. You get one chance and if one thing goes wrong- goodbye, bring in the next guy. I'll admit, it's cool to see people my own age out there, but they really should be running more Nationwide races before they go to Cup. Not that Joey Logano isn't talented, I just think he needs more experience. He proved that by finishing 40th Sunday.
YES; YES YES YES put Mike Helton in charge I've ALWAYS been a fan and I think he'd be great- him and Humpy. Imagine what NASCAR would be like?!
The sport would be cheaper with three cars each, and I feel like more teams would be involved int he sport instead of having to close down. On the other hand, the owners like four cars because of course, it helps them make more money. I realize guys like RC and Roush may not be in it totally for the money but certain guys... *cough* George Gillett *cough*... are.
I think a major question is when it comes to drivers... do they need a union?
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Kara Martin 8 months ago
Excellent article Jen!
I'm with Mike, I like the 36 race schedule but that is just me being selfish because the more NASCAR the better! I also hate the Chase. I think that it could be good & exciting if they tweeked it a bit. Brian France is doing a terrible job when it comes to all of this. Changes definitely need to be made!
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Jen Preston 8 months ago
Why thank you, Kara!! And yeah, I see your and SM's points about the 36 races... I do love watching my NASCAR basically all year long, but when I think about how much time the drivers put into it... I mean, it's a lot. And a lot of them have families at home that they'd probably like to see a little more.
Vote for change! Put Dale Jr. in charge! Haha, okay I don't know about THAT (though it would make Junior Nation very, very happy...) but the Chase needs to go back to how it was, and it needs to become more geared towards fan, not just the sponsors. How they'd do that, I don't really know...
Like SM said, let's put Mike Helton and Humpy Wheeler in charge lol I think that's brillant!
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