With the 2026 NASCAR season underway following the opener, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is out in entrance once more together with his issues in regards to the fuel-saving methods used on the Daytona 500 that slowed down races till the very finish.
Whereas calling the problem an “epidemic” on his recentpodcast, Earnhardt, a NASCAR analyst and JR Motorsports proprietor, provided some options he admits will likely be obtained with blended evaluations.
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It begins, he mentioned, the bonus level for drivers who lead essentially the most laps in a race.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba On line casino Toyota, and son, Beau Reddick have fun in victory lane after successful the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Seashore, Florida. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba On line casino Toyota, and son, Beau Reddick have fun in victory lane after successful the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Seashore, Florida. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Group captain Michael Jordan, left, celebrates with 2026 Daytona 500 winner Tyler Reddick on Victory Lane at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba On line casino Toyota, and son, Beau Reddick pose for photographs with the Harley J. Earl Trophy in victory lane after successful the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Seashore, Florida. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick reaches the end line with a a number of automobile accident proper behind him. The 2026 Daytona 500 held Feb.15 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba On line casino Toyota, celebrates after successful the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Seashore, Florida. (Photograph by Sean Gardner/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick is launched earlier than the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 1, 2025.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick speaks throughout a Pinnacle Monetary Companions and 23XI Racing announcement at The Pinnacle at Nashville Yards Tuesday, Might 20, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. The monetary establishment and racing group will likely be concerned within the NASCAR Cup Collection race at Nashville Tremendous Speedway on June 1.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
AUSTIN, TEXAS – MARCH 02: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Toyota, and son, Beau Reddick stroll onstage throughout driver intros previous to the NASCAR Cup Collection EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 02, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – APRIL 06: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 McDonald’s Toyota, waves to followers as he walks onstage throughout driver intros previous to the NASCAR Cup Collection Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Nasty Beast Toyota seems to be on throughout qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Seashore, Florida. (Photograph by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) and his spouse Alexa through the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Conference Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photos
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Oct. 27: Tyler Reddick celebrates after successful the Straight Discuss Wi-fi 400 NASCAR Cup Collection playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Oct 27, 2024; Homestead, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) celebrates after successful the Straight Discuss Wi-fi 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Photos
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 20: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Jordan Model Toyota, flips after an on-track incident through the NASCAR Cup Collection South Level 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 20, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Sean Gardner/Getty Photos)
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Aug 19, 2024; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) reacts after successful the Fireplace Keepers 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Aug 19, 2024; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) reacts after successful the Fireplace Keepers 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick carries his son Beau on the monitor after successful the FireKeepers On line casino 400 at Michigan Worldwide Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) is launched sporting a Hamburglar costume on Sunday, June 16, 2024, on the Iowa Speedway in Newton.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Apr 21, 2024; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) celebrates successful the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Apr 21, 2024; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) celebrates after successful the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Obligatory Credit score: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Apr 21, 2024; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) celebrates successful the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Apr 13, 2024; Fort Value, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) crew push the automobile onto the pit lane earlier than follow for the NASCAR Cup Collection AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick (1) races down the straightaway on the Shriners Youngsters’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Pit crewmen hurry as they service the Tyler Reddick’s no. 45 Toyota, Monday February 19, 2024 through the Daytona 500.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Seashore, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) reacts in victory lane after successful the Bluegreen Holidays Duel 1 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Seashore, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) reacts after successful the Bluegreen Holidays Duel 1 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Feb 14, 2024; Daytona Seashore, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) throughout Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick and his spouse Alexa De Leon poses on the pink carpet for the 2023 NASCAR Awards Banquet on the Music Metropolis Middle in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Sep 24, 2023; Fort Value, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) throughout driver introductions earlier than the AutoTrader EcoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway. Obligatory Credit score: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports activities
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick salutes the gang and celebrates together with his group after successful the NASCAR Cup Collection playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 25, 2022.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick does a burnout after successful the NASCAR Cup Collection playoff race at Kansas Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Sept. 10: Tyler Reddick celebrates successful the NASCAR Cup Collection Hollywood On line casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick through the Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on Feb. 19, 2023.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) fits up earlier than the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) will get in his automobile earlier than the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) is launched earlier than the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 25, 2023.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Mar 12, 2023; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (45) indicators memorabilia for race followers whereas strolling the pink carpet for the United Leases Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale on March 12, 2023. Obligatory Credit score: Alex Gould/The Republic
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Jimmie Johnson and Tyler Reddick speak whereas ready for the beginning of Daytona 500 qualifying, Wednesday February 15, 2023.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick present driver of the no. 45 Toyota and Kurtt Busch the previous driver of the no. 45 watch the motion on the enormous TV screne towering over pit street, Wednesday February 15, 2023 throughout Daytona 500 qualifying.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Sept. 25: Tyler Reddick celebrates successful the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (8) and his group climb the fence Sunday, July 31, 2022, after successful the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (8) holds up his son, Beau, on Sunday, July 31, 2022, after successful the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (8) will get a kiss from his spouse Alexa De Leon, after successful the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, July 31, 2022.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (8) swings his son Beau Reddick. after successful the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, July 31, 2022.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Cup Collection driver Tyler Reddick (8) after successful the Verizon 200 on the Brickyard, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, July 31, 2022.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick (8) waves from a truck earlier than the NASCAR Kwik Journey 250, Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Elkhart Lake’s Highway America close to Elkhart Lake, Wis.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR Xfinity Collection driver Tyler Reddick (48) prepares for the Tennessee Lottery 250 on the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Saturday, June 25, 2022.
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Tyler Reddick, NASCAR driver wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing
NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick does a burnout within the Burnouts on Broadway competitors Wednesday, December 1, 2021, throughout NASCAR Champion’s Week in Nashville, Tenn.
“I promise, if you happen to put something out in entrance of those drivers and groups, they are going to go for it,” Earnhardt mentioned. “That’s one small slice in a big pie that will push groups again towards pushing tougher all through the occasion. If you happen to knew that if you happen to might get to the entrance and lead in some unspecified time in the future, you had been going to get some extent, you’d do it.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. needs NASCAR factors for many laps led
The issue goes past that, in fact, as a result of as soon as a group has led a lap they it might be susceptible to revert to saving gasoline once more after that.
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“That is high-quality,” Earnhardt mentioned. “We discovered a method to get them to cost for a bit of bit. That is progress.”
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 11: Dale Earnhardt Jr., proprietor of JR Motorsports, seems to be on throughout qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on February 11, 2026 in Daytona Seashore, Florida. (Photograph by James Gilbert/Getty Photos)
TYLER REDDICK WINS DAYTONA 500?:
NASCAR took the bonus level away within the new Chase format, which rewards fewer factors for successful a race. That bonus level was changed by some extent for the quickest lap, which Earnhardt referred to as “foolish” and mentioned nobody pays consideration to after a race.
To take lap-leading a step additional, Earnhardt instructed going again to a bonus level for the motive force who leads essentially the most laps.
“As a substitute of getting some extent for the one that has the quickest lap, I believe they need to take that time and provides it to the one that leads essentially the most laps,” Earnhardt mentioned. “You can nonetheless have the icon on the enjoyable little rundown on the TV display screen, and it might transfer as somebody retakes that (most laps led) crown because the race performs out.”
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Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin need drag faraway from Subsequent-Gen vehicles
The opposite subject Earnhardt mentioned ought to be addressed is the drag impact on Subsequent-Gen vehicles, which slows the vehicles and results in pack racing.
He mentioned he mentioned with NASCAR Cup driver Denny Hamlin, who can also be co-owner of 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, about the opportunity of eradicating a few of the drag from the vehicles by making the automobile extra streamlined and decreasing air resistance.
“What I suggest to NASCAR is learn how a lot drag to drag off the automobile in order that if I am in a pack of vehicles which might be working 60 to 70% throttle and I mash the fuel 100%, I drive away from them,” Eanrhardt mentioned. “I break the draft and draw back. And if I am working huge open and I am driving away from that pack, then I am negating their benefit, and they’ll need to chase me down.”
