Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick’s CARS Tour is an ideal stepping stone for drivers who aspire to reach NASCAR, since it is an oval racing series. NASCAR, of course, has its roots in oval racing, even though it has embraced road courses and street circuits in its schedule to whip up spectator interest. CARS Tour, however, has remained true to its foundations so far. But are things changing?
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The CARS Tour primarily operates on short-track ovals, featuring circuits that are less than one mile in length. Its races are staged on oval tracks such as North Wilkesboro, Florence, and Southern National Motorsports Park in the Southeastern United States.
The grassroots racing series briefly experimented with a road course in 2019 when it made its first visit to Dominion Raceway in Thornburg, Virginia. The race was won by Josh Berry. Since then, it has not returned to that type of track. That could change, though.
Recently, a fan tagged Dale Earnhardt Jr. on social media about the condition of Virginia International Raceway and asked for his help in bringing a race to the road course. “@DaleJr Cars tour at VIR would feed families,” they wrote.
Dale Jr. responded positively, but also outlined the challenges involved. “It would be awesome to find a pathway to get even one road course event on our schedule,” he wrote.
“I’ve learned through the Dodge deal that, on the front end, we would need different transmissions and oil pans. There’s also a lot more expense per team to consider beyond that, but it’s not entirely unlikely,” added Junior.
Would be awesome to find a pathway to get one single road course event on our schedule. I’ve learned through the Dodge deal, on the front end we would need different transmissions and oil pans. There’s also a lot more expense per team to consider beyond that. But it’s not… https://t.co/A3I6KW4pkd
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 30, 2026
Given that fans recognize how fervently Dale Jr. has championed oval racing in NASCAR and have stuck to it in grassroots racing series like CARS Tour, they were left perplexed. And many commented on the icon’s post, basically urging him to stick to tradition.
“Don’t need to add a road course to the CARS tour. It’s a late model series for short tracks,” wrote a fan. Meanwhile, another fan jokingly stated, “Hey @DaleJr, blink twice if you are being held against your will. We will send help.”
Don’t need to add a road course to the CARS tour. It’s a late model series for short tracks.
— John Henry (@John_Henry_NC) January 30, 2026
An astonished enthusiast remarked, “Dale wanting a road course? The world truly is upside down.” While another fan sarcastically countered, “Man its brakes, shocks, springs, oil system, coolers, transmission, clutch maybe. Stay in your lane.”
Dale wanting a road course? The world truly is upside down.
— Gary (@Gary83072) January 30, 2026
Dale Jr.’s track record on road courses never matched the accolades he garnered on ovals. He, in fact, averaged a 20.3 finish on road and street courses during his NASCAR career.
Junior had stated once that while road course racing represents a legitimate and valuable component of modern NASCAR, the sport’s roots lie in oval racing. He prefers a maximum of two road courses on the NASCAR schedule.
Recently, when Charlotte ROVAL was removed from the playoffs, and the sport opted instead to get an oval racing event in its place, Dale Jr. said it makes zero difference to him. That has made his support for a road-course event in his own CARS Tour race an unexpected development.
