NASCAR’s rich history is a tapestry woven with legendary tracks and iconic moments. So naturally, the decision to shift from tradition can often raise eyebrows. In a recent episode of his podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr didn’t hold back in expressing his bewilderment at NASCAR’s move from the historic Indianapolis Oval to the road course. His candid words reflect not just his own sentiment, but that of many racing enthusiasts.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with its hallowed oval, has been a bastion of racing legacy for over a century. Yet, in a surprising move, NASCAR decided to shift from the cherished oval [1994–2020] to a road course [2021 – now], a decision that left many scratching their heads. Many in the NASCAR community raised issues with this decision back in 2021, including the drivers. And even today, most of the drivers want to return to the Indy Oval because winning on the Oval just means so much more to them.

Dale Earnhardt Jr can’t help but notice how ridiculous the decision to leave the Indy Oval was

Next year marks a significant milestone. Three decades since NASCAR first graced the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A history etched into the iconic four-turn oval, spanning 2.5 miles, where dreams were realized and legends born. Yet, with the 2021 season, the traditional Brickyard 400 took an unexpected detour, embracing a 13-turn, 2.439-mile road course.

Speaking to his co-host and close friend Mike Davis on his famous podcast. Dale Earnhardt Jr used a fitting analogy to describe just how ridiculous it was to move away from the Oval, considering the reason behind it.

“It’s like saying, man, this microphone don’t work, so let’s move all the furniture around in the studio. Let’s rearrange the room because my microphone’s broke. Or let’s just go to another studio entirely. Instead of just fixing the microphone.”

“So we left the oval because the racing wasn’t good. Well, that wasn’t the track’s fault. And we don’t do 2 oval races at the Charlotte Speedway no more because the racing wasn’t good. And it’s not the track’s fault. Now the racing with the Nex Gen, Charlotte is one of the best races of the year. Last 2 or 3 races on Charlotte on the Oval have been amazing. So, I think I am excited that we’re going back to the oval and I hope that we never leave it. We were so lucky, so blessed to be invited there to race there and we literally gave it away,” he concluded.

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While the road course may have its merits, the allure of the oval remains strong. Drivers have vocally expressed their preference for the Indianapolis Oval.

Drivers rally for a return to the classic Indianapolis Oval

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The embrace of tradition and the call for returning to the roots of the Indianapolis Oval resonate beyond Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s sentiments. Numerous drivers have expressed their desire for the NASCAR Cup Series to reclaim the historic oval. Chase Briscoe of Stewart Haas Racing holds the sentiment that racing at the oval, with its unmatched prestige and history, would elevate the experience for both drivers and fans.

“I always tell everybody that, for me, if you’re racing on the oval or the road course, the dirt track, or even the parking lot, it’s special to get to race here,” Briscoe said according to Yahoo Sports. “But I think it’s no secret that the prestige, the history that the oval holds is definitely above the other disciplines that you could race here.”

The Indianapolis Oval’s aura transcends the technicalities of the sport; it encapsulates the soul of racing itself. From Kyle Busch’s yearning to recapture the track’s magic to Kyle Larson’s belief in the oval’s unmatched prestige, drivers’ voices resonate with the fans’ collective hope.

“If I’m being selfish, I think myself and many of the drivers and crews and everything else would rather be coming here and racing around the oval. With the prestige and history of what the oval is,” said the RCR driver Kyle Busch. “Even though we’re at Indy, it doesn’t really feel like the same thing, going the wrong way.”

Hendrick Motorsports star Kyle Larson shared similar sentiments. “I think just the prestige of the oval — we would all rather win on the oval than the road course, I think. When you think of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you don’t think of the road course, so the Brickyard 400 is a crown jewel event that we lost. So if we can get it back on the oval, it would be great for our sport.”

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