Ross Chastain and Joey Logano have emerged as some of the most prominent drivers in the Next-Gen racing era, thanks to their aggressive driving styles and strategic approach. Chastain has secured two championships in this period, while Logano has made strong strides as a Trackhouse competitor, positioning himself as a potential future champion. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR Hall of Famer, points to their unique combination of balanced aggression and unapologetic competitiveness as key reasons for their success in the current racing landscape.
The new generation of NASCAR cars limits passing opportunities, making aggressive defense crucial. Earnhardt Jr. emphasizes that Chastain and Logano openly embrace a selfish attitude on the track, which allows them to fiercely protect their positions. Both drivers rely heavily on their mirror driving skills, applying pressure by aggressively defending their space and intimidating rivals.
“The reason why Joey’s good at it, the reason why Chastain’s good at it, is because they’re willing to be the biggest d***heads out there. It’s not engrained in all of us to be selfish, and be purely selfish, but you have to be.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., via Dale Jr. Download
Earnhardt Jr.’s description underscores how their bold willingness to act selfishly is a necessary survival skill in today’s tightly contested races. While other drivers, like Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, and Kyle Larson, also possess aggressive racing qualities, they tend to harness their competitive instincts with more restraint. This contrasts with Chastain and Logano, who often push the limits with less concern for courtesy on the track.
Meanwhile, drivers such as Christopher Bell and William Byron maintain a more respectful approach toward their fellow racers, a factor that has helped them achieve greater success in terms of outright wins, compared to the blunt tactics favored by Chastain and Logano. This dynamic illustrates how varying strategies within the Next-Gen era create distinct paths to victory.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reflects on His Own Racing Approach
While praising the tenacity of Logano and Chastain, Dale Earnhardt Jr. revealed his contrasting style during his widespread career. Though he competed aggressively as the son of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., Junior prioritized relationship-building and respected sportsmanship over antagonizing rivals. Always aiming to be friendly within the competitive environment, he sought connection with fellow drivers rather than confrontation.
“I always tried — speaking frankly here, I want to be everybody’s buddy. Everywhere I go around the race track on the weekend, I want to be friends with Chase [Briscoe], I want to be friends with everybody. When I raced, I wanted to get out of the car and go, ‘Hey man, that shit was fun. You good? Hope you liked racing me.’” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This outlook of camaraderie enabled Earnhardt Jr. to navigate intense racing settings without burning bridges. However, he admitted that his attitude shifted notably on the superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, where the competitive environment demands tougher tactics to succeed.
“Now, we go to Daytona and Talladega, and I would have to tell myself before I got in the car, ‘You’re going to have to be an asshole today…I didn’t do things intentionally like, ‘Screw you guys,’ and run people into the wall, ‘I don’t care about your race,’ but I knew, to be good at Daytona and Talladega, I kind of had to be a bit of a jerk…” —Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. explained that while he refrained from reckless or vindictive maneuvers, the nature of superspeedway racing forced him to adopt a harsher attitude, one that embraced calculated aggression and intimidation in order to succeed.
The Impact of Next-Gen Cars on Driving Tactics
The introduction of Next-Gen cars has intensified the demand for assertiveness on the track, making it difficult for drivers to rely on traditional passing or conservative strategies. This development, according to Dale Earnhardt Jr., means drivers often have no choice but to display bold, sometimes abrasive behavior every weekend, regardless of the track.
Such an environment favors racers with a high tolerance for risk and a readiness to adopt aggressive on-track tactics, such as Chastain and Logano. Their willingness to engage with rivals more ruthlessly aligns with the requirements of the Next-Gen chassis and racing conditions.
In this way, the current era’s racing style reflects not only driver talent but also psychological toughness and acceptance that a degree of animosity or selfishness is necessary to consistently perform at a championship-winning level.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Future Competitors
The evolution of driving styles in the Next-Gen era signals a potential shift for upcoming drivers, who may need to balance skills in both cooperation and confrontation to excel. The examples set by Ross Chastain and Joey Logano reveal how aggressive tactics, paired with sharp situational awareness, can produce victories even when the racing equipment limits overtaking.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s reflections provide a nuanced look at motorsports culture, showing that while aggression is often condemned off-track, it remains a critical component of success, particularly in the fast-paced and tightly packed fields produced by Next-Gen cars. This insight suggests future strategies will blend competitive toughness with an evolving understanding of sportsmanship, tailored to specific racing venues and circumstances.
