In a bold move, the 24-year-old racing series is gearing up for a change, aiming to inject new life into its racing scene. While the Martinsville Speedway remains a haven for high-speed action year-round, it’s been a lengthy hiatus since a certain spectacle graced its hallowed tracks—precisely 64 years since the convertible last adorned the asphalt.

2023 witnessed the return of the convertible, as four cars and eight drivers, including NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., converged for a two-day Mazda MX-5 Cup test session. Post-testing on his podcast ‘The Dale Jr. Download,’ the NASCAR’s beloved petrolhead unveiled his audacious vision for an unparalleled racing extravaganza.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. envisions taking the Cars Tour to new heights

During the conversation with fellow host Mike Davis, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his intriguing ideas for the racing world. He proposed a unique concept, suggesting the possibility of integrating pro cars and late-model pros into the scene at Martinsville.

Simultaneously, he expressed his admiration for the late-model stock marquee events and voiced his desire to follow a similar path in the future. Dale Jr. emphasized the need for a distinct event for the pros, an idea that fascinated him. “I think our pros need a big event, and that would be cool to put them with the MX5 and have like a Baam Baam.

Our pros run the day before and then the MX5 race happens. The MX5 race is going to create a lot of excitement and interest. There will be a ton of interest around it. It will be good to be a part of it.”

When further questioned by Davis, Junior said, “I don’t suppose you are planning that scene with Clay [Campbell] or anybody else.” To which Junior promptly responded, “I’ve been talking it.”

Junior expressed his willingness to engage in discussions about potential collaborations with his co-owned Cars Tour. “When they came up to me and asked me to test drive the car, I told them right then I said, ‘If you all ever want to run a race there, I’d love to talk to you about getting the Cars Tour to be a part of it,’ and the late model stock cars tour can’t go to Martinsville, they’ve already established the late model stock at Martinsville and it’s got its own race.”

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Yet Dale Earnhardt Jr. remained optimistic and remarked, “And then I talked about it again today, so we’ll see,” alluding to further conversations on the horizon.

NASCAR Champ’s first impressions of the Mazda MX-5

Following his test run at Martinsville, Dale Earhardt Jr. shared his initial thoughts, describing it as an exhilarating experience and feeling that he achieved a reasonable level of speed. He highlighted the unique challenges of cornering and the unconventional push-button braking system, which required some adjustment.

“It’s a lot of fun and felt like I got reasonably up to speed. There’s some more time out there, I think it’d be hard to find it. But the guys that run this car all the time and understand the challenges with trying to get in the corner, the braking is really different. The braking is almost like push-button braking, so you mash, you touch the pedal and it starts to clamp and starts to slow the car down. So that was a little bit unusual to get used to.”

Junior also pointed out the distinct track dynamics, “The upshifts and downshifts were very, very, very easy. I was a little clumsy on my downshifts into the corner, I think. The guys that run this car all the time, all those things come second nature, but it’s challenging.

Both ends of the track drove differently. I was really loose in three and four and pretty comfortable in one and two. And, I think if they had a race here, it’d be fantastic.”

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With the testing wrapped up, now it’s time for the MX5 Cup’s call on whether to toss the half-mile paperclip oval into the mix for the new season.