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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, looks on in the garage during the NASCAR Next Gen Test at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

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DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, looks on in the garage during the NASCAR Next Gen Test at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Ever since fans first sniffed the possibility of NASCAR having its own street race on Chicago’s roads, they were divided. Some of them wanted it, some of them, not so much. However, you’d think that a name like Dale Earnhardt Jr could perhaps mend the opinions of those who are doubting, or outrightly dismissing, the idea of the Chicago race.
Well, if you’re one of those people, think again.
After the official announcement of Chicago’s street race, Dale Jr. posted a tweet in its support, suggesting how it is a good move for the sport. “This is awesome news. A new challenge to see the best stock car drivers in the world tackle. A great market. Pretty cool how @iRacing was used to test the idea as well,” he tweeted.
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“Can’t wait to broadcast the first race there!”
This is awesome news. A new challenge to see the best stock car drivers in the world tackle. A great market. Pretty cool how @iRacing was used to test the idea as well. Can’t wait to broadcast the first race there! https://t.co/KeaXUvFwQT
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 19, 2022
Yet despite his tweet and reassurement of sorts, NASCAR fans were having none of it. Because to them, it was still an idea, an experiment that was destined to fail, at least to the majority of them.
Doubt if you can pay people to go watch a race in Chicago, way to dangerous, not good marketing
— @MSnook (@snookx3) July 19, 2022
It’s only awesome if it doesn’t come at the expense of Road America. Take away one of Kansas’s races instead.
— Kyle Rohde (@KyleRohde) July 19, 2022
How much they pay you to say this?
— Brandon Key (@brandonkeyy) July 19, 2022
This sucks. Calling a spade a spade..NBC and NASCAR used WI and Road America for their own financial gain and then ran off chasing a bigger market that already failed.
— Chris Phineas (@ChrisPhineas) July 19, 2022
NO this is more💩News. Don't kiss up to NASCAR, tell the truth and the truth is Street Races SUCK, I can't think of 1 street Race in any series that was a great race. How about a SHORT TRACK not to far away in Iowa. We Want Short tracks they give us Road courses & Now Street Race
— BrIaN (@B_RadRacer21) July 19, 2022
Spot off man, be truthful. Nascar missed the mark….again. Nascar "Hey we're going to Nashville.*Mumbles superspeedway." Damn shame what this sport is doing. Raise the ride heights for them potholes pic.twitter.com/N5uoL4BCZH
— Chris Joseph (@LgFarva) July 19, 2022
What makes Dale Earnhardt Jr nervous about the future of NASCAR?
In a recent interview with The Athletic, the NASCAR Hall Of Famer on the areas of concern that he has on the future of the sport. Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that he’s “super nervous” not just about the immediate future, but the racing product on his beloved short tracks.
WATCH THIS STORY: How “Daddy Chase” Angers NASCAR Driver Tyler Reddick
“What happens at Texas? What do they do with that track and all that?”
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WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 26: Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the NASCAR Next Gen car around the track at Bowman Gray Stadium during a testing session on October 26, 2021 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
He described that NASCAR should focus on getting the Next Genc where “it needs to be”, where they can go with the tire they have, and how aggressive they can be with them.
But most importantly, to Dale Earnhardt Jr, one thing needs to remain, the spectacle of NASCAR.
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“Making sure it can provide a great visual experience at every type of track,” he added.
Also Read: RCR Blamed for “Screwed Up” Move That Allowed Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team to Poach Tyler Reddick
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