Winless streaks have long haunted some of NASCAR’s most prominent names. Jimmie Johnson went 130 races without a win before stepping away from full-time competition. Michael Waltrip endured 462 starts before his first Cup Series victory. Even Chase Elliott, one of today’s biggest stars, battled through a 42-race drought that drew scrutiny. For Dale Earnhardt Jr., the dry spell that stretched from 2008 to 2012 became a focal point of his career narrative. That was until he finally broke through at Michigan. Into that lineage stepped Bubba Wallace, who arrived at the 2025 Brickyard 400 still carrying the weight of a 100-race winless run. These streaks are not just statistics. They become a driver’s unwanted shadow. And recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke candidly about what Wallace had likely been battling behind the scenes, exposing a quiet storm that often goes unspoken.

Wallace’s win at the Brickyard came with layers of significance. He became the first Black driver to win on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. He clinched a playoff berth with a double-overtime triumph that marked only his third Cup Series victory. The last time he visited Victory Lane was in September 2022 at Kansas. That milestone at Indy came not just with confetti, but with long-awaited vindication. Dale Jr. himself had once ended his 143-race drought. But while every streak ends eventually, Dale Jr. emphasized that living through one, especially when accompanied by the label of being “overrated,” is a battle few truly see. And Wallace, he implied, had been fighting it quietly all along.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. sheds light on Bubba Wallace’s winless struggle

Dale Jr.’s reflections on his own experiences were layered with empathy as he analyzed Bubba Wallace’s recent breakthrough. He spoke openly about how public perception sharpens during a slump and how certain narratives begin to calcify. “But this is what I’m trying to get to. When you don’t win for a long time, that’s when they hate. That’s when people that think you’re overrated come out and they’re all like, ‘Yep, see he is. He’s overrated, man,’” said Dale Jr. on his DJD podcast. The term “overrated” is not just criticism. It becomes a cloud that follows every lap, every pit stop, every interview. Wallace himself had always been a bit of a hothead, who had a habit of drawing attention. Both on and off the track, he has been no stranger to that scrutiny.

Dale peeled back the emotional complexity that accompanies that label. “You don’t really question you. You don’t, but you think about it every now and then. ‘Man, is it really me? Nah, it can’t be me. I’m good.’” Self-belief is rarely a constant in motorsports. And when the results stall, self-doubt becomes the unwanted co-driver. Dale went further, pointing out how that internal struggle extends outward, into the team dynamic. “And it’s not just you. It’s your team. They have to believe you can do it. Otherwise, they’re not going to push themselves and it’s just little things like that, that are contagious.” Wallace did not just have to hold his own faith together. He had to keep his team from slipping into a belief that winning was out of reach. His victory, then, was not just personal redemption anymore.

With the win at Indy, Wallace has entered a new chapter. One where the pressure no longer dictates the terms of his racing. “He’s relieved that he doesn’t have to race all the way to Daytona… It’s just the pressure. It’s gone.” Dale said. In locking up his playoff position, Wallace has not only earned security but also a release. Now unburdened by math and momentum, Wallace can approach each race with a different mindset. One that is not shackled to the desperate pursuit of validation. The stigma he carried may not disappear overnight, but it no longer defines him.

Dale Jr. hints at major NASCAR schedule shake‑up after Brickyard milestone

When Bubba Wallace won at the Brickyard, it was more than just a long-awaited victory. It reminded fans why the Indianapolis oval still matters. Once removed for a road course layout, the track returned in 2024. Now, it stands tall as a NASCAR staple again. But while IMS stays firm, other tracks may not be as lucky. A quiet schedule shake-up may be underway, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. just hinted that more big changes are coming.

Wallace’s dramatic win capped a rare Brickyard moment. It was his first win in years, a playoff clincher, and a historic victory on a legendary track. At the same time, NASCAR confirmed a San Diego street race for 2026. Rumors of Chicagoland’s return are gaining speed. All signs point to a larger shift, as the league balances heritage tracks with new markets.

“This ain’t the last big domino.” That was Dale Jr.’s message after reports of Mexico City’s likely exit and Chicagoland’s comeback. His post, short but telling, sparked buzz across the garage. Could more cuts be coming? Might other ovals return too? His words suggest that this is not just about one or two swaps. Bigger moves may be on the way.

If San Diego is in and Mexico City is out, what comes next? Will Chicago’s street race stay beyond 2025? Will North Wilkesboro or Montreal return? No one knows for sure. But Dale Jr.’s words carry weight. If more dominoes fall, the 2026 calendar could look very different.