In 2022, moved “The Conflict” out of Daytona for the primary time in generations and regardless of talks of bringing it again, it hasn’t occurred but. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is beginning to sense a variety of reluctance to get the transfer executed.
On the most recent episode of his podcast, Earnhardt spoke at size about the way forward for The Conflict. He stated that one of many issues that NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell seems involved about is that if the occasion is unhealthy, it turns into a nasty commercial for the following Daytona 500. However Earnhardt argued that if O’Donnell merely makes positive the occasion is sweet, it will not be a difficulty.
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“That is it, that is the deal,” Earnhardt defined. “I simply acquired executed speaking to Steve O’Donnell, proper? And he’s like, ‘Man, you realize, if we take The Conflict to Daytona and it’s unhealthy, it’s like a nasty business for the five hundred.’ And I’m like, ‘Nicely, you realize, you simply make the racing good and it’ll be a very good business for the five hundred.’”
Earnhardt believes that NASCAR is at the moment “attempting to do an excessive amount of” with The Conflict and it is inflicting the occasion to undergo.
“The issue is we’re attempting to do an excessive amount of,” Earnhardt stated. “We’re attempting to do an excessive amount of with the All-Star Race, we’re attempting to do an excessive amount of with The Conflict. I don’t perceive why folks don’t agree with this, however The Conflict is an appetizer. It’s the table-setter.”
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Proposals
Earnhardt proposed that The Conflict may simply be a showcase of the blokes who received probably the most poles the 12 months earlier than and switch it right into a 20-lap race of simply 12 or so drivers going all out with no cautions or pit stops.
“What number of guys have received poles this 12 months? Is there a pole award for probably the most poles?” Earnhardt requested. “Like, there was once a Coors Mild pole award on the finish of the 12 months should you received like six or 5. Let’s simply see who’s acquired probably the most poles. Eight drivers have poles. Nicely, let’s get to the top of the 12 months, perhaps that’s 12, proper? All proper.
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“I need to see these f*cking 12 guys run a 20-lap race, no warning, no pit cease, no bullsh*t. Drop the f*cking inexperienced flag, give me 12 f*ckers on the market going as onerous as they’ll for 20 laps. It’ll be over earlier than you realize it, but it surely’s going to be freaking superior. That’s what it was. That’s all it must be. It doesn’t should be greater than that.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 03: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, winner (C) Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet, (R) second place and Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Nice Lakes Flooring Ford, third place pose on the rostrum in victory lane after the NASCAR Cup Collection Busch Mild Conflict at The Coliseum at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on February 03, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Picture by Meg Oliphant/Getty Photos)Meg Oliphant/Getty Photos
Earnhardt believes that The Conflict could be a enjoyable occasion with out having to mimic a NASCAR race.
“Let that occur the identical day you’re going to qualify, do it on a Saturday or one thing like that the week earlier than the five hundred, get all people on the market, have your little ARCA race, have your little Conflict after which qualify,” Earnhardt stated. “Hey, it’s a full day, all types of exercise. You’ve acquired vehicles on the monitor, followers can take pleasure in it. After which the drivers, they’ll go house for a pair days, come again on Tuesday or Wednesday, we’ll begin performing some media, we’ll boil up this Daytona 500 pleasure. That’s how they should do it.”
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There’s a variety of totally different choices on the desk. Do you suppose Earnhardt has the correct concept?
This story was initially printed by on Could 20, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add The Spun as a
