The first road course race of the 2025 NASCAR season is now under wraps, and despite a few hiccups, the race proved to be an overall success. There were a lot of positives to take away from COTA, including Kyle Busch leading a race-high 42 laps, perhaps signaling a win coming his way soon. However, the biggest takeaway from the race was Dale Earnhardt Jr. approving road course racing.
Originally not a fan of COTA, Earnhardt would have liked it better if the 3.41-mile track would leave the NASCAR schedule. But this year, the authorities took a mile off the circuit, making it a short-track race. The idea sat so well with the veteran that he is now even on board with the sport extending its roots throughout Europe.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Pushes for NASCAR’s European Invasion
One of the most experienced entities in the NASCAR world, Earnhardt knows what makes racing a success. Thanks to his experience as the son of a legendary driver, being a successful NASCAR driver himself, a team owner, and a Motorsports historian, the man knows his tracks.
Owing to the same, Earnhardt suggested the possibility of NASCAR Extending into the European circuit while talking on the latest episode of “Dale Jr. Download.”
“When they talk about ‘hey man, we should go overseas. We should go over to Europe. Where should we race in Europe?’ One of the tracks, if you’re familiar at all with Europe – Brands Hatch – is a very historic racetrack.”He added, “I would have not cared had COTA went away and never returned. But now its giving me what I love about short track racing in a form of a road course and I want more of that.” (Earnhardt via Dale Jr Download)
While Brands Hatch has a long course circuit, it also features a shorter track that is perfect for Indy racing. While the larger one is currently used by MotoGP, the shorter course, running just 1.2 miles is the one Jr. has his eye on.
Seemingly, the shorter COTA run has impressed Earnhardt so much that he cannot wait to see more short-track races enter the NASCAR schedule.
Additionally, Jr. is also the executive director at iRacing and they carry a variety of virtual tracks for the simulator. Earnhardt has run the Brands Hatch circuit on it on several occasions, and enjoyed it each time. He has since been an advocate for adding the short track on the schedule, as he feels it will only add to the sport’s growing appeal.