Dale Earnhardt Jr. “Really Misses” Practice and Qualifying in NASCAR After Watching Bristol Dirt Race
Follow Us
Dale Earnhardt Jr was one of the now-retired NASCAR Cup Series stars who watched the Bristol dirt race with a lot of intrigue. While the race itself was exciting and Dale Jr gave it a positive review, the Hall of Famer missed another big aspect of the weekend – that of practice and qualifying.
Dale Jr admitted that he did not give much thought to missing the practice and qualifying aspect, before it actually happened at Bristol for the first time since last year’s COVID-19-forced restrictions.
Speaking on the ‘Dale Jr. Download’, he expressed his thoughts on the same.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“I do miss it. When we saw practice this weekend, it really woke me up,” Dale Jr. said. “I didn’t know if I missed practice and qualifying, and then we saw some practice this weekend, and I was like – absolutely this is fun,” he added.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains why practice and qualifying is good for a race weekend
Dale Jr. went on to say that while he was already excited to watch the Bristol practice sesssions due to the buzz around the race weekend on dirt, he realized how much it adds to the entire NASCAR weekend.
“It made me remember what watching practice kind of felt like and how that adds to the race weekend. It sets the pace on who’s fast and slows, it sets some storylines,” the champion driver continued.
Dale Jr. is now a broadcaster with NBC, after his retirement as a driver. Along with his own media projects, the son of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt is very active in the NASCAR media circuit.
NASCAR CUP SERIES COMPETITION ON DIRT.
First time in 51 years. History.@BMSupdates | #NASCARonFS1 pic.twitter.com/GeBM66rrhz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 26, 2021
He then looked at the race weekend from a broadcasting perspective and how practice/qualifying helps with that. Those pre-race sessions also see a lot of action on the track, from wrecks, driver battles, engine issues, etc. to setting the pace for the main event.
“As a broadcaster, practice is a great tool to help you understand what to expect on race day. It continues to shape the storylines,” Dale Jr. continued.
“Without practice and qualifying, everybody, me, you, the drivers, everyone goes in there just cold. Flip on a switch and there we go. It’s a bit awkward and weird to try and shape an event as a broadcaster,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dale Jr. hopes to see the return of practice/qualifying in some form
Trending
NASCAR Rumor: Kyle Busch Could Fulfill Shattered Indy 500 Dream as ‘Chase Elliott 2.0’ Triggers Controversial Fallout
April 30, 2024 04:32 AM EDT
“I’m Frustrated”- Despite $400 Million Net Worth Tag, Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals His Only “Cheaper” NASCAR Miss
May 01, 2024 10:32 AM EDT
Joe Gibbs Racing Warn Rick Hendrick Camp Against Underestimating Desperate Underdogs
April 30, 2024 10:48 PM EDT
Next-Gen Stats Sell Out Richard Childress’ Disgruntled Grandson as Riled Up Fans Beg to Preserve Dale Earnhardt’s Legacy
April 30, 2024 07:55 AM EDT
Former JGR Veteran Turns the Tide on Fans Questioning Hailie Deegan’s Talent With Stern Warning for the 22-Yo Xfinity Star
April 28, 2024 05:33 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
The 46-year-old hopes to see the return of practice/qualifying to NASCAR in the future. Probably not in the same way as always, but in some form or another.
“So I really miss practice and qualifying. I hope there’s some version of that for us in the future,” he concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dale Jr. presented some very interesting inputs on this aspect of racing in NASCAR. This season, NASCAR decided to have practice and qualifying for only some of the marquee events. The next event to have it will be the inaugural COTA race on May 23.