The decision was a controversial one. Back when stage racing was introduced in 2017, the NASCAR world was divided by the change in format. Sure, it gave drivers an incentive to push for points throughout the races, but stage cautions also broke up the natural flow of the race, forcing drivers to reset and influencing long-term strategy. Stock car racing fans don’t want to see drivers lifting to save fuel, a factor that played a big role in the 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

And now, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared a controversial stage racing idea to help solve what is arguably the biggest superspeedway issue. Wanting drivers to go all guns blazing as soon as the green flag drops, the veteran urged NASCAR to potentially explore a radical option, one that wouldn’t force drivers to pit or go into

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