Like It or Hate It, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Claims Chicago’s Impact on NASCAR Is Undeniable: “Where’s the Next One?”

One of the biggest questions which was on everyone’s minds after the checkered flag dropped in downtown Chicago was – What next? Because the first ever street course race in NASCAR’s Cup history had not only proved to be a big success against all odds, it also opened up the floodgates on the prospect of the sport taking their product to any city in the country, maybe in the world by setting up a temporary racetrack. This was also something Dale Earnhardt Jr. touched upon recently.

Junior, who was in the booth during the race on Sunday, opened up on what the success of the Chicago race means to NASCAR. And more importantly, what it could mean for the future of such events in the sport which, because of one factor, will more or less become a staple in the schedule in the coming years.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. curious about NASCAR’s future in street course territory

Speaking in a recent episode of his podcast show, Earnhardt Jr. claimed he isn’t sure if NASCAR will go back to Chicago next year. “I think any street course anywhere is going to be just as challenging as Chicago was now that NASCAR knows the lay of the land and the process of getting the racetrack put together and getting in there and they’ve got the relationship with the city,” he explained.

“Maybe they go back and do this again, trying to get some great weather, get that big crowd they’re looking for, and really make the impact they hoped to make this year.”

Junior added that while going back to Chicago is worth “another try”, it has got him curious about a few things – “Where else? What other city? Where’s the next one?”

Earnhardt Jr. claims the viewership numbers will motivate more street races

The Hall of Famer described that regardless of whether someone likes, dislikes, loves, or hates the idea of NASCAR racing on a street course, the Chicago race has made one thing clear, it works in terms of bringing in the viewers. And that is precisely what could force NASCAR to explore this avenue, and this type of racing even more in the future.

“You can’t deny the viewership and that network TV number is going to drive NASCAR to do this more often and at other places. Because the Chicago Street course, the first time is always going to be different, every time you do it after that it’s going to normalize and mold itself into the fabric of the sport.”

“So NASCAR is always going to be looking for the next grand new thing. Where is the next city or the next place that can be exciting to have a street course that will give us that pop that the first Chicago race did?”

Junior concluded by once again emphasizing his curiosity, which is about where NASCAR will go next and which city is on their cards next to host a street course race, or simply, what is next?