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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sounds the Alarm: Is NASCAR About to Sacrifice Its Identity for a Fourth Manufacturer?

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 14, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sounds the Alarm: Is NASCAR About to Sacrifice Its Identity for a Fourth Manufacturer?

Feb 7, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Former driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks about his future during the 2025 NASCAR Hall Of Fame inductions at Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

NASCAR is on the verge of a seismic shift. Since February 2024, speculation has been swirling about the introduction of a fourth OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) into the sport. The most talked-about contender? Honda—a global powerhouse in motorsports with a history of success in Formula 1 and IndyCar.

While the prospect of a new manufacturer might sound exciting, Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t convinced. In fact, he’s deeply concerned that the changes required to bring in a fourth OEM could strip NASCAR of its soul and force the sport further away from its traditional roots.

“The motivation for a new OEM coming in…what has that got to do with our sales in the United States? The main bother or the main concern for me is, what are we willing to do to get them in? Oh man, I’m not going to like any of it.”

With NASCAR’s recent push for hybrid technology and dwindling horsepower, Dale Jr. is raising the alarm—are we about to see NASCAR fundamentally change to accommodate a new manufacturer?


The Evolution of NASCAR’s Power Struggle: Horsepower in Decline

NASCAR has never been static, but its engine evolution over the past decade has left traditionalists uneasy.

🔻 2014 – NASCAR cars ran at 900 horsepower, delivering raw, high-speed battles.
🔻 2015 – Power was reduced to 750 hp, starting a downward trend.
🔻 2018 – Another drop to 550 hp, changing the dynamics of speedway racing.
🔺 2022 – A slight increase back to 670 hp, but still far from its peak.

And then, the game changed completely.

🚨 July 2024 – NASCAR’s First Hybrid Test Car Debuts 🚨

At the Chicago Street Race, NASCAR unveiled the ABB NASCAR EV prototype—the sport’s first electric-powered stock car. While the car wasn’t race-ready, its introduction sent a clear message: NASCAR is testing the waters of an electric or hybrid future.

And that’s exactly what has Dale Earnhardt Jr. worried.

“In NASCAR, we’ve had V8 engines and carburetors forever…That’s kind of American…You got to be careful about how you evolve away from that.”

So, if Honda—or any new OEM—joins the sport, what’s the price?


Dale Jr.’s Biggest Concern: Will a New Manufacturer Demand Even More Changes?

For decades, NASCAR has been powered by three legendary American brands:

🏁 Chevrolet
🏁 Ford
🏁 Toyota (Though Japanese-owned, Toyota’s NASCAR program is heavily based in the U.S.)

A fourth OEM could shake up the landscape completely. But at what cost?

Dale Jr. fears that a new manufacturer’s entry could come with conditions that NASCAR won’t be able to refuse—like further reductions in horsepower, hybrid mandates, or even electric integration.

“Is it hybrid engines, is it less horsepower…what is their hesitation? Why are they not diving head f—— first, because this is awesome s— right?”

Translation? If a fourth OEM is so interested in NASCAR, why haven’t they jumped in already?

What are they waiting for? What are they demanding behind closed doors?


The Dilemma: Innovation vs. Tradition

Dale Jr. isn’t anti-progress—he’s pro-balance.

NASCAR has already embraced change:
✅ Next Gen cars with independent rear suspension
✅ A push for hybrid technology
✅ A focus on street racing and global expansion

But at what point does evolution become erasure?

A fourth manufacturer could bring:
🚀 More money and manufacturer-backed teams
🚀 A larger global audience
🚀 Potentially more competition

But it could also mean:
❌ Further reductions in horsepower
❌ More hybrid or electric integration
❌ NASCAR moving further from its American muscle roots

Is that a trade NASCAR is willing to make?


Final Verdict: Is NASCAR Willing to Sell Its Soul for a Fourth OEM?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is asking the tough questions NASCAR needs to answer:

  • What are we sacrificing to bring in a new OEM?
  • Will fans and drivers accept further reductions in horsepower?
  • Is this about growth, or is it just about money?

One thing is certain: Change is coming. But if NASCAR isn’t careful, it could lose more than it gains.

🔥 What do you think? Should NASCAR welcome a fourth OEM, or is the risk too great?

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