Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes feelings known about NASCAR criticism with 'family' remark amid 23XI-FRM lawsuit
Dale Earnhardt Jr. made his feelings clear about the lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France. Dale Jr. disapproved of how the sanctioning body was being portrayed and said he hated seeing the sport cast in a negative light.
In the latest episode of Dale Jr. Download, the 50-year-old NASCAR Hall of Famer commented on the antitrust lawsuit filed against NASCAR. He said it was "perfectly great" and "fair" for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to pursue legal action against the sanctioning body. He also believes that the litigation will extend over a long period.
Dale Jr. also commented on the fallout and backlash against NASCAR that has emerged across various platforms due to the lawsuit. He expressed his disappointment in seeing the sport discussed negatively and being unfairly dragged through the mud. Having retired from NASCAR, he feels a sense of family connection with those in the industry and the garage.
"I do not like how NASCAR has been characterized or Jim France has been characterized in some of the comments that I have read. That's unfortunate, [I hate] to see NASCAR be talked about in a negative way, because, I'll criticize them all day long. I have been very critical about them on our show here and I will criticize them going forward when I don't agree with a call or decision they're making in the sport," he said on his podcast. [from 51:14]
"But that's my family. They've been everything that I have known, that garage, that industry, everyone in it. It's very close to me and a lot of people in the industry, lot of retired drivers, mechanics," he added.
Using an analogy, the NASCAR Hall of Famer said that he feels a responsibility to defend the sport against unfair criticism from outsiders. Dale Jr. acknowledged that the current situation may not be resolved without things getting ugly but expressed hope that both sides can reach a solution.
"I don't like the reputation or the image of NASCAR to be stained or unnecessarily dragged through the mud. But, I do feel like that it is fair and right for any of the teams to argue for what they believe they deserve," he concluded. [53:50]
Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes NASCAR will "survive" anti-trust lawsuit
Dale Earnhardt Jr. insists that NASCAR will "absolutely survive" the antitrust lawsuit, but he believes that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will also emerge satisfied with the results. He believes there will be no clear winners from the litigation, but both parties will ultimately survive the process.
"It's going to cost everyone a little bit to get through it. I think NASCAR absolutely survives it. I feel like, to be quite honest with you, 23XI will come out of it satisfied as well. I don't what that looks like, but I don't believe there will be any big big winners, but I don't think anybody will suffer any major losses in this either," he added on his podcast. [from 52:48]
23XI and FRM have filed for a preliminary injunction and an expedited discovery, with the hearing set for November 4. Meanwhile, NASCAR has fired back, revealing plans to reduce chartered teams from 36 to 32 for the 2025 season.