After the Easter Sunday race at Richmond, only one thing was on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s mind – losing one of the two dates at the track. NASCAR will likely move Richmond to just a single race per season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is almost certain that Richmond is going to lose a race in 2025. For one of NASCAR’s most historic tracks, it will be a move that many longtime fans won’t approve of. But perhaps one that has to happen.
The crowd at Richmond has not been what it once was. There hasn’t been a lot of good racing at the track, even before the Next Gen car and its short track problems. Racing on Easter didn’t help the track, either. Dale Jr. wants them to put sealer on the track, to create more grooves and more passing opportunities. It hasn’t been used for a long time at the track.
“They won’t do it. They like refuse to seal that f***ing race track, I don’t understand that,” he said on the Dale Jr. Download. “They’re going to lose a date, they’re going to lose a date because of how stubborn, I guess they are about it.” The short track package, racing on Easter, and other factors have caused Richmond to lose support. Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows that means one thing – another road course.
“All of these things are going to cost Richmond a date and it does not deserve it,” he continued. “It deserves to have two dates and here we go we’re going to lose another short track race and probably end up at another road course.”
One of the big sticking points for Dale Jr. was the Easter date. He is not a fan of it, and the TV ratings reflect that others aren’t very interested either. Other sports, like March Madness, are going on at the time, but the NASCAR Hall of Famer doesn’t see it as much of a good thing.
“Racing on Easter is not helpful,” Earnhardt said. “I know other sports play on Easter and other things happen but I’m not going to those. I’m not ever going to be at a sporting event on Easter holiday, I’m not. Not happening. It’s not entirely necessary that we do that. That is not going to help your walkup crowd, your ticket sales, that is not going to help. And I don’t think it really helps your TV audience. People are doing s**t on Easter.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Richmond on the schedule twice a year. It does not look like NASCAR believes it deserves two dates anymore.
Like everything else, Nascar is only interested in Daytona, Dega, and road courses. I am sure that Richmond didn't request Easter to race, that was on Nascar, but refusing to seal the track is another story.
Fans have been disappearing from the tracks for some time now. When You see empty seats at Bristol, Martinsville and the other short tracks, they sends a message. Didn't Dover lose a race there too?? I know New Hampshire lost one so they could make room for more Chase Elliott road Courses.
Everything in Nascar is now controlled by HMS and that bunch.
Yesterday was the 40th Anniversay of HMS and they finish 1.2.3 so You know they were allowed that extra HP they have been using when they need it the last couple of years, and Nascar never does anything about it. when it comes to them, Asscar has a blind eye, and it is very obvious, another reason why the old time fans are leaving. IMHO
quite a few years ago when the stands were packed. Last time at M'Ville our seats were right at the end of the 4th turn where the stands began. Friends were in the seats on the back stretch. Now they are completely covered. They try saying "Sold Out" but that's a lie. Richmond the same way. Why don't they see the smaller crowds and try to get it back to the way it was. Having a race on Easter was stupid. Did Richmond not have a choice and couldn't said NO? Remember when there was not races on Mother's Day? That got changed too. Times have sure changed but not for the good.It's The LITTLE Things in Life That Count.
Right Carol, and when they ran Atlanta said the same thing, sold out, but those of us that remember, from turn 2 all the way down the backstretch to 3 was all seating and now it is a motor home viewing spot. I would say 25 thou seats were removed, and still not packed, so that tells it like it is. Nascar has ruined itself.
I don’t think they should race on Easter anywhere. I agree with Jr. It’s helpful to listen to people like him about the track and the date. I usually listen to Jr. and Brad K.Go #12 Blaney!
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