Dale Earnhardt Jr. questions NASCAR’s intentions behind X’s recent post congratulating Christopher Bell on his 150th Cup start. Earnhardt Jr. believes that this social media post is insignificant and carries little weight compared to the record set by Richard Petty, who has 1186 starts. According to Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR should only celebrate drivers who have at least 400 starts. While acknowledging that his complaint may seem grumpy, he stands by his point of view.
Earnhardt Jr.’s argument has merit, as Richard Petty’s record is considered a monumental achievement that seems unattainable for many drivers in the current generation. With more competition for spots than ever, racing as long as the sport’s legends is not a viable option for most drivers on the grid.
Christopher Bell had a mixed day at COTA, with productive moments and high-profile incidents. Despite finishing the race in second place, Bell’s day was overshadowed by two incidents involving former Cup champions. He spun both Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch during the race, leading to a frustrated confrontation from Busch.
Busch had been Bell’s teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing since his debut with the team. He served as a mentor figure for Bell, who initially got his NASCAR chance with Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series. However, Busch expressed disappointment with the lack of respect shown by drivers who entered NASCAR through KBM. While the two drivers seem to have resolved their issues, Bell remains cautious of possible retaliation in the future.
© 2024
