Dale Earnhardt Jr. dropped by Miami last month to experience the madness of the Miami Grand Prix firsthand. The NASCAR legend found the trip eye-opening, and he gained valuable insights into what sets these two motorsport worlds apart.
How the Miami Grand Prix Left Dale Earnhardt Jr. Amazed
Earnhardt surprised NASCAR fans by attending his first Formula 1 race at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, courtesy of invites from Red Bull Racing and Hard Rock.
Accompanied by his wife Amy Earnhardt, the NASCAR legend fully embraced the exciting atmosphere at the Miami International Autodrome.
.@DaleJr: “It’s money. F1 has so much support from sponsorship. … Really, the sky’s the limit in terms of how big they make the event feel. And that’s really NASCAR’s challenge. But it’s NASCAR’s goal as well. That’s why we’re in Mexico City.” https://t.co/gRy9aObnfd
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) June 17, 2025
In a recent sitdown with “Puck News,” Earnhardt revisited his Miami GP experience and revealed how it surprised him. He highlighted the grandeur of the event.
“First of all, the race was fun to watch, and the product on the racetrack was entertaining,” he said. “But it was the build-out of all of the hospitality that was wild to me. When F1 comes to your area, it is massive. It affects everything. The footprint, and how it expands out beyond the race itself, was really impressive.”
“Red Bull built a three- or four-story hospitality structure just for that one event. Then, they tear it all down and move it to the next race. All of the surrounding properties around the race, even ones that weren’t related to the racetrack or the event, had their own concerts and events to draw fans.”
What’s NASCAR Missing? Earnhardt Reveals the Key Factor
NASCAR has long been chasing Formula 1’s global footprint, whether through a Netflix-style docuseries or expanding its calendar beyond U.S. borders. But Earnhardt believes he’s pinpointed the missing piece that keeps NASCAR a step behind.
“It’s money. F1 has so much support from sponsorship and partnerships that allow them all that creativity. Really, the sky’s the limit in terms of how big they make the event feel. And that’s really NASCAR’s challenge.”
“But it’s NASCAR’s goal as well. That’s why we’re in Mexico City and why we went to Chicago. That’s why you hear the rumors about races going to San Diego and Brazil, and Canada.”
“NASCAR has an intentional effort to really expand its reach and create new fans outside of its traditional geographical footprint. And that will draw in interest from new partners.”
Earnhardt believes NASCAR’s expansion efforts are already bearing fruit, particularly on the broadcasting front. Streaming giants like Amazon Prime and TNT Sports are entering the fold, opening fresh avenues for sponsorship and commercial growth.
While Earnhardt feels that there’s a long process of gaining momentum and then building on that momentum, NASCAR is in a growth stage. “We really went through some challenging times over the last couple of decades,” he stated.
“We had a very impressive peak back in the early 2000s, and a lot of people will look back to that as where we need to try to get back to. I honestly feel like we’re headed in that direction.”
NASCAR’s global push isn’t limited to expanding its footprint overseas; it’s also attracting international talent. Drivers like Daniel Suárez and Shane van Gisbergen have brought fresh intrigue to the grid, drawing broader audiences and turning more heads with each start.