Joey Logano, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, sparked controversy following his response to losing the North Wilkesboro All-Star race to Christopher Bell. Frustrated by missing out on the $1 million prize, Logano initially promised payback but later retracted his comments. Now, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has weighed in on the controversy, offering his thoughts on Logano’s reaction and its impact within the NASCAR community.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reflects on Logano’s Response and Social Media Backlash
On a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JRM, addressed the backlash that followed Joey Logano’s outspoken reaction. The community was taken aback by Logano’s aggressive remarks, especially since Christopher Bell was not the first to act aggressively during the race. Earnhardt highlighted how Logano’s comments quickly drew sharp criticism across social media platforms, surprising even Bell himself.
“Joey gets out and says that stuff and holy sh*t, everybody went after him. In the world of social media, which I know is a tip of the iceberg but still, everybody was taken aback. Even Christopher Bell, when they told him he was like, ‘Really?’ He was really surprised that Joey felt the way he felt. Does it make it OK now that Joey walked them back? I don’t know.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr Download
Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed uncertainty about whether Logano’s later effort to retract his harsh comments fully resolved the issue. He questioned if simply walking back on his initial heat-of-the-moment reaction was sufficient, considering the intensity of the situation and the resulting fallout.
The Need for a More Thoughtful Reaction to Losing
The two-time Xfinity Series champion stressed that Logano’s immediate response could have been more measured and less incendiary. Earnhardt Jr. suggested that instead of blaming Bell’s driving style, Logano might have expressed his frustration more straightforwardly by acknowledging the disappointment of losing a large sum rather than resorting to harsh language.
“I still have a problem with Joey having that instant reaction. Even though he walks it back a day later, I appreciate that. He went and watched it and went, ‘Alright, it wasn’t that bad.’ For him to have the instant reaction he had, still is a irk. He could say, ‘I’m pissed, I lost $1 million.’ Not, ‘He raced me like an assh***.’”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr Download
Earnhardt’s comments suggest that an athlete’s public remarks after a high-stakes event carry significant weight and that emotional control in such moments might better represent a champion’s stature. He emphasized that voicing disappointment over the financial loss would have been a more appropriate way to handle the situation.
Positive View on the Aggressive Racing Style Displayed at North Wilkesboro
Beyond his critique of the response, Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised the physicality and intensity of the racing in the closing stages at Wilkesboro. He argued that the race conditions—including the prize, the multiple racing lines, and the soft tires—created an environment where aggressive moves were expected and necessary. Earnhardt even admitted that a cleaner pass would have felt anticlimactic.
“Christopher Bell just had the better car and had to muscle his way on by. Which we put them in an atmosphere where muscling them by is what we wanted. We put them at the racetrack — multiple grooves, $1 million, the soft tire — like, if there was a pass at the end of that race that was clean, I would have been fu*king disappointed. It wasn’t enough fireworks.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr Download
This endorsement of aggressive racing underscores Earnhardt Jr.’s support for bold and risky driving moves, viewing them as essential to the excitement fans expect. He has recently encouraged drivers like Carson Hocevar and Ross Chastain to maintain their assertive approaches instead of playing it safe, advocating for more spirited competition on the track rather than cautious driving.
How This Incident Highlights Tensions Within NASCAR
The incident exposes ongoing tensions about sportsmanship, media scrutiny, and driver conduct in NASCAR. While Logano felt justified in his remarks out of frustration, the reaction from the community and fellow drivers reflects a broader debate on appropriate behavior and image management in the sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective adds an experienced voice calling for both honesty in expressing emotions and respect for professionalism.
As one of NASCAR’s most respected voices, Earnhardt Jr.’s criticism may influence how drivers handle high-pressure situations publicly in the future. The controversy also highlights how social media amplifies reactions and magnifies disputes overnight, making measured responses even more crucial for those in the spotlight.
With the NASCAR season continuing, the league and its drivers remain under intense scrutiny from fans and media alike. How stars like Joey Logano navigate this pressure while maintaining competitive spirit will be a storyline to watch, as the community debates the balance between passion and professionalism in racing.
