Dale Earnhardt Jr. may no longer be chasing Cup Series titles, but don’t think for a second he’s done chasing that Saturday-night thrill. He’s showing up at local short tracks, getting his hands dirty, and reliving the raw, unfiltered side of racing that first made him fall in love with the sport.

Whether he’s turning laps at Florence, testing limits at North Wilkesboro, or tackling a new challenge like Tri-County Speedway, Earnhardt isn’t there for trophies or headlines. It’s all about the connection, the competition, and the sheer fun of it. But his latest short-track adventure at the Tri-County race weekend didn’t go quite according to plan, leaving the NASCAR legend with mixed emotions.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s challenging night at Tri-County Speedway

Dale Earnhardt Jr. went into the Tri-County Speedway weekend with high hopes, boosted by an encouraging practice session. “We had really good speed in practice, and like really good speed. I’d never raced there before, and it’s got really good asphalt, a lot of grip,” he said.

The recently repaved 4/10-mile oval features high-grip asphalt, a change of pace from the older, worn surfaces Dale Jr. usually prefers. Despite his initial reservations about tracks that demand full-throttle consistency every lap, Jr. embraced the challenge and liked the experience, acknowledging it tested his adaptability and skill in a fresh racing environment.

However, the race itself proved more difficult than anticipated. “When the race started, we were way too loose,” he explained. The tire used at Tri-County doesn’t wear out traditionally but overheats quickly, causing the right rear to “get pissed off” after about 10 laps. This limited Dale’s ability to push forward.

Starting 24th, he clawed his way up to 15th but struggled to make further gains. The situation worsened when he got caught in an accident, resulting in the left front suspension falling off and other damage. “We worked on it and worked on it and worked on it. Come up and down pit road a bunch and finally got the balance reasonable at the end,” he said. Dale ultimately finished 12th, a position he described as “not awesome, not terrible, just kind of okay.”

Despite the setbacks, Dale Jr. maintained a positive attitude, highlighting his enjoyment of racing at the grassroots level. “I had a blast. I had a lot of fun and I’m kind of wish I could do another one this year, but I don’t have a race on the schedule.” His enduring enthusiasm for connecting with local fans and racers captures why the NASCAR Hall of Famer remains a beloved figure in short track racing.

Dale Jr. expresses his frustration regarding the Next-Gen car

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has never been shy about voicing his frustrations with NASCAR’s Next Gen car, and his latest comments only deepen that critique. On his Dale Jr. Download podcast, he didn’t hold back, saying he would “literally tear it apart” if given the chance to redesign the car.

Despite recognizing some positives, Earnhardt Jr. finds numerous features detracting from the essence of stock car racing as fans know it. The Next Gen car, introduced in 2022, features modern elements like low-profile tires, a diffuser, and advanced brakes. However, Dale Jr. argues these changes have made the car feel more like a sport or IMSA vehicle than a traditional NASCAR stock car.

“I wouldn’t have designed a NASCAR stock car with a diffuser,” he explained, “and I wouldn’t have equipped it with low-profile tires that prevent drivers from sensing where the grip is.” He laments that these factors reduce driver feedback and strategic variability, especially on short tracks and road courses.

Despite his stark criticism, Dale Jr. is pragmatic about the challenges in reversing course. “The car is here. It’s bought, paid for, and it’s not going away,” he admitted. Instead, he envisions a stripped-down, “unplugged” version for short tracks like Martinsville. A simpler machine that would emphasize raw driver skill and traditional racing dynamics. “You’d beat the sh*t out of it,” he said, describing a car that looks similar to TV viewers but offers much purer racing underneath.

Dale Jr.’s vocal opposition echoes concern from many drivers, including Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin, who cite power deficits and handling quirks as key drawbacks. Ultimately, his critique is about preserving NASCAR’s identity while navigating modernization. The debate over the Next Gen car remains a crucial conversation shaping the sport’s future.