Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave his opinion on NASCAR’s wet-weather procedure regarding live pit stops on a damp pit road. The comments came amid much criticism for NASCAR’s decision to not allow teams to have a competitive pit cycle while pit road was still wet.
Last Sunday’s Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire began in wet conditions. All 36 cars were on wet-weather tires until the 40th lap of the 301-lap race. As the track dried over the course of the first run, NASCAR threw a competition caution for the teams to come in and change from the wet-weather tires to the usual slicker tires.
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The stops were non-competitive, meaning drivers could not gain or lose positions on pit road. Between the forced competition caution and the non-competitive stops, NASCAR faced backlash from some within the sport.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. understands NASCAR’s concerns
In a recent episode of “The Dale Jr. Download,” the former NASCAR star acknowledged both sides of the argument.
Earnhardt Jr. understands the criticism as many did not want to see the teams “handcuffed” and allow them to make decisions for themselves. Allowing teams to decide on their own whether to change out the wet-weather tires or not would add a compelling element of strategy to the race.
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However, Earnhardt Jr. said he understands NASCAR’s reservation on the situation. Prior to the race, Earnhardt Jr. said drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen were not sure if the track conditions alone were safe to race in. The race also saw pole sitter Tyler Reddick spin out on the opening lap, perhaps causing more concern for NASCAR.
With a damp pit road and crew members jumping out in front of a moving race car heading into a pit stall, Earnhardt Jr. understands why NASCAR decided against competitive pit stops.
“Imagine all that anxiety and trepidation. Now, you have a wet pit road and you’re going to send all the field down pit road to change tires. Even if only one car comes down pit road, his guys have to come over with hope that he understands how to get slowed down and stopped in the stall and not run over his own pit crew, which would easily happen,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Pit crew members already have a risky job. With a wet pit road and up to 36 cars all pitting at one time, Earnhardt Jr. said there is an obvious safety hazard. Yet, as NASCAR gets more wet-weather races under their belts, Earnhardt Jr. is hopeful competitive pit stops on a damp pit road could be in the sport’s future.
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“Do you risk 36 cars pitting and breaking a leg or two? I can understand NASCAR’s concern because it is dangerous. Our drivers don’t have any experience pitting a live stop in that condition. I think as we get a couple more of these types of events under our belt, maybe the confidence for NASCAR goes up. Maybe they hear the public screaming for live stops in these scenarios,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to see competitive wet-weather stops
Although Earnhardt Jr. understands NASCAR’s decision, he hopes there can be a way to change the procedure in the future. Because the option of staying on wet-weathers or switching to slickers would open up a new element of strategy, Earnhardt Jr. believes it would add excitement to the race.
“I want it. … We all want it. We all want the teams to be allowed because it adds such an incredible layer of strategy. Because some guys, Cindric, some other guys are going to get on the dries quicker and that change and evolution of pace and what guys give up or gain can really, really change the dynamic of the race and we all want to see that,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
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Despite his excitement for the idea, Earnhardt Jr. warned that perhaps the drivers and teams are not ready for competitive pit stops on a damp pit road. One way to remedy this, Earnhardt Jr. said, was for NASCAR to sit the drivers down in a meeting and discuss their comfort level on the situation.
Earnhardt Jr. said the teams, too, could play a role in ensuring everything goes smoothly on a wet pit road.
“I just don’t know if our racers are ready. … If I was NASCAR, I would get all the drivers in a room. … I’d have no one else in there and I’d say, ‘Guys, how confident are y’all to get down pit road into your box without any issue?’ Let’s task the teams to make sure they’re doing everything they can hours before the race to prep that box,” Earnhardt Jr. said.
Ryan Blaney scored the win in Sunday’s Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire. It marked Blaney’s third win of 2026, 20th career win overall, and second straight at New Hampshire.
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