Every sport goes through some ups and downs. Controversies, viewership, and popularity of athletes are some factors that come into play here. NASCAR is no stranger to the unpredictability of sports. There have been good and bad phases in the industry. Well, Dale Earnhardt Jr has seen them all.

Dale Jr is one such driver who has seen NASCAR’s better and worse days. One of the most loved superstars in the scene, he still stays around the tracks as an analyst. The recent increase in ratings has been promising. The return of stars like Chase Elliott has contributed a lot, and so has Ross Chastain’s antics on and off the tracks. The two factions continue to argue about who has provided more value to the growth of NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt Jr acknowledges the turnaround in the fortunes of NASCAR

Dale Earnhardt Jr is easily one of the most adored drivers in NASCAR’s history. Having seen the golden days of racing, he knows what it feels like. Speaking about the reversal in viewerships and increasing popularity on The Dale Jr. Download podcast, he affirmed that the last three race weeks have been crucial to viewership. He said,

“But this drama, I mean I’ve … there’s been three really great weeks of racing, three really really solid weeks. We had a little spell where things weren’t going so great in our world, you know, on big global NASCAR scenes.

“Couple weeks where things weren’t that awesome. We had some s**t racing and now we got more storylines than we know what to do with.” 

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s statement reflects upon the current situation of NASCAR. NASCAR authorities are looking to unveil more projects and initiatives which has provided a great boost. The return of the Hendrick Motorsports driver Elliott has also been helpful in things returning to normalcy. The fans stand divided as to who has been more effective in garnering views, Chastain or Elliott?

Read More: Hendrick Motorsports’ Rumor-Mill Gets the Support of Dale Earnhardt Jr as We Head to $116 Million-Worth Track Ahead of the Big Event

Ross Chastain or Chase Elliott: Fans discuss the impact of the duo on popularity of NASCAR

Trackhouse Racing Team‘s star driver Ross Chastain has been in the news for various reasons. Some love him for his rough and old-school style of racing, while some despise his antics on the track. But one aspect that he has excelled in is gathering views. Not just his fearless and competitive racing, but also the fact that he is often involved in controversies.

NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Chase Elliott’s injury was one of the reasons for the decline in TV ratings. Undergoing recovery from a tibia injury, Elliott made his return in Martinsville but hasn’t been in the best of forms.

While the supporters of each driver have expressed their thoughts on their impacts, factions have formed. While responding to Journalist Adam Stern’s tweet about the TV ratings, several fans applauded Chastain for his contribution. Someone tweeted, “The Ross Chastain Effect.”

Elliott fans did not back down either. Underlining his importance to the sport’s popularity, one user commented, “Welcome back Chase and welcome back fans.” 

Another fan had something to say about the ‘Chase Effect’: “The Chase effect is in play”

Multiple reasons have collaborated to give NASCAR the much-needed boost. Be it Chase or Chastain, the two drivers continue to entertain us regardless. It is great to see NASCAR retain its viewers and popularity after a minor slump.

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