Do not forget Kelly Earnhardt. She has done so much behind the scenes to keep the family going. She got involved in the merchandise side of NASCAR and knows how to play that game as well as anybody
And sometime in the next 50 years the name will be like petty is today, pretty irrelevant in the action. Needed to have Dale the third but he’s only got girls so..
And if Jr would put Jeffery in the 8 car with the DEI font he’d have a license to print money and Jeffery would be the most popular driver especially if he would win a Daytona or Dega race.
Folks, we can't forget the silent parties like Mike Davis in the background keeping the "RUclips / Podcast Beast" Rolling and keeping us closely connected to the man, the myth, the legend, Dale Earnhardt Jr.!
Dale Jr has 2 Busch Series (now Xfinity) Championships as a driver and as an owner has 6. Jr didn’t have the career of his pops in the cup series but the man has definitely been successful and SR would be extremely proud of his boy.
@jarm7726 Chase loves the fans. All the drivers do. He doesn't like the media focusing on things like an mpd award that has nothing to do with his ability as a racecar driver. He wants to focus on what he's doing on the track and when he's off the track he wants his space, which is perfectly understandable and respectable. Racers aren't reality tv stars, they shouldn't be expected to be playing for the camera 24/7.
Dirty Mo media has helped strengthen the brand of the Earnhardt family. Kelly and Mike Davis made it all possible. To remember what an introvert he use to be to become the extrovert he is now. What a journey for that old man. BTW, days of super stars in NASCAR are over.
As a person that came into the sport in 2022 and does still rewatch old races from the 90s, I would say that just one of the many reasons for the popularity of Dale Jr is his name. His dad diedat his peak. We never saw him decline like Jarrett, Labonte and Johnson. He was loved for his personality by the younger ones and also loved by the elder, who saw him as the next Earnhardt in the line of sucession. He should bring the Earnhardt family the eight title and therefore his was loved by those 90s intimidator fans. Anyway Greetings from Germany
i think it solely falls on NASCAR’s lack of promotion skills. Think about everywhere you saw Earnhardt Gordon etc. back in the 2000s, commercials, public events, cereal boxes etc. I get NASCAR isn’t quite the hot commodity it was back then but i still feel like they fall short with exposure. They’ve had opportunities, Hail Melon is a perfect example, Chastain is a popular driver sure but i can’t help but feel they didn’t do enough to promote that idea of “what will he do next”. Hell you’re telling me they can’t get anything out of Reddick Bubba and Hamlin being connected to the greatest athlete of all time? The only guy right now i could see moving the needle is Kyle Larson
This isn't just a NASCAR problem. Indycar also has the same issue. I feel like American Motorsports in general drops the ball when it comes to promoting their product.
@@ChrisBl33poh 100%. I know F1 is worldwide but i’d argue their rapid increase in popularity is solely because of promotion. I’ve seen Verstappen in multiple commercials and Lewis Hamilton was even in Fortnite. NASCAR and even their fanbase to an extent rely way too much on nostalgia to the point where evolving is becoming difficult
What does Chase Elliott do to help promote NASCAR? Drivers like Martin Truex and Chase Elliott don't do anything to promote the sport, they show up on Sunday, collect their check, and go home. Most of them are like that nowadays and that's what hurts NASCAR...imo
Is it American motorsports or is it bigger than life personality. Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart still moves the needle but for NHRA, Helio Castronevas, and Danica Patrick
If you expected somebody other than Chase getting the award, boy you haven't paid attention to the last 3 decades. Nobody that doesn't have the last name of Earnhardt or Elliot has won the Most Popular Driver Award.
Elliott's fanbase gets behind the voting and out votes the other fanbases. Maybe instead of hating Elliott, people should get ignited and vote for someone else and who knows, maybe you'll out vote Elliott.
Adam sadly passed and seemed very talented. Kyle is 30+ years in the past for most of us. Bill Elliott was the 80's so we are now quite a long ways away from that time. Fans from the era of NASCAR are older or gone. I'm one of the inbetweener fans. I remember watching Allison. Am I a harcore fan of anybody now? Not really.
Man as i spire fan im excited for next season. Last season was an improvement and with all of the new talented personnel i see next season being better. Carson coming off a really good 2024, McDowell is a talented driver and knows how to get a midpack team a win and help the team improve, and then justin. Although he did join the team late in the season and had some good results at rwr but the races at spire wasn't great. I do hope spire and hendrick form a technical alliance and hope they do get more support from the oem. Regardless im excited for next season.
I feel like the drivers relying so much on social media as well for their fan base. I loved the Nextel/Sprint era commercials on TV. I would bet that the driver that starts doing that kind of exposure will give Elliott a run for his money
I plan to get a college degree in computer IT watching nascar classics and playing nascar video games and spending time with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Sr was a humble man and it didn't matter what auto maker that you drove for, he was always a good person and an extremely competitive foe at the same time. Jr is the same way.
I would word it differently, instead as, no one is at Dale Jr.s level. I think you meant popularity and nostalgia, and keeping the sport grounded. I will agree with that assessment, Jr. is all of the above because he still is involved in so many areas of NASCAR, including podcasts and video production, he is still young enough to race occasionally, and he is always available for opinions on everything NASCAR. As long as Dale is still involved, no one will move the needle. Let us hope he stays involved for a very long time. Good show. And I won't and can't forget Kelly, she is the foundation for the Empire that exists today.
I think there are multiple reason/ issues why there is no "super-star" of the sport. 1) Obviously, we have to blame the fans for propping up a driver who has zero interest in being popular or helping the sport grow 2) Modern sponsors don't like drivers that speak their mind and grab national headlines for a potentially controversial statements 3) NASCAR does absolutely nothing with the drivers off the race track. Unless it's Sunday, and you're in the same town the race is happening in, you're not gonna see a billboard advertisement of Kyle Larson racing at Michigan. Heck, you don't even really see commercials of upcoming NASACR races outside of NASCAR related broadcasts. NASCAR doesn't have any commercials during RUclips ad breaks, morning news channels, streaming service ad breaks, etc 4) I don't know if this is a sponsor or team problem, but the only driver+sponsor combo that had posters, commericals, etc of them in the 2024 season was Chase Briscoe with Mahindra. When I walk into Bass Pro Shops, I never saw a banner of Martin. If I go into Advanced Auto Parts, there's no lifesize Blaney popup like there used to be of drivers in the 90s and early 2000s 5) NASCAR has no mid week shows. The NFL practically has a 24/7 broadcast of various talk shows dedicated to the sport. The NBA and NLB have similar mid week shows as well. NASCAR has Happy Hour with Harvick on a Monday and... I think that's it
Agree. As for #5 - up until last June, FOX produced Race Hub. It ran most weeknights & was free advertising for Nascar. When Nascar signed the new TV deal, it cut FOX from 19 cup races to 14. So FOX cancelled Race Hub. Why should they pay to advertise races that are on 3 other networks? Nascar got more money in the TV deal, but it cost them in other ways.
I think something that has enabled JR to stay so relevant is how good of a podcaster\youtuber\announcer he is. A lot of former drivers\athletes do not have the natural ability he seems to have when it comes to their public career after their sport.
I remember going to races back in the late '80s and early '90s at Rockingham. In October 1989 Dale was battling Rusty Wallace for the championship and Rusty turned him in turn three and he got hit by another car and the whole rear end of the car was torn off. He went behind the wall and literally half the grandstand cleared out.
There will never be another one like Dale Earnhardt Jr ❤ ! I really do not think NASCAR will allow it ! Just like there will never be another Dale Earnhardt neither ! ❤ your videos Eric ❤ !
It won't happen; he still has his 2020 PR disaster hanging over him. Remember, Hendrick himself is STILL his primary sponsor. Blaney's a better choice.
@@RonnieMilford-sg4ujhow isn’t Corey lajoie not the privileged one? I’m not a bubba fan, but he’s won some races. Corey has never won a race, in any series.
Chase Elliott hates his fame. He’s the absolute worst candidate for most popular driver in this era, and that’s coming from someone that has met him twice…both outside of a NASCAR track.
Getting “you cant sue nascar” clause. Is a big win already. U dont sue to get everything, u sue to make change. Change is being made already as they are “losing” as many of you think.
i don’t think it’s an issue that nascar doesn’t have a star as big as jr. there probably never will be. the earnhardt name IS NASCAR, and it took more than 50 years of coincidences and NASCAR roots to lead to where we are today with jr. it’s not a bad thing if it doesn’t happen again. just shows how amazing it is that we got to witness it.
If Elliott came into NASCAR when Dale Jr did, he would have the same level of popularity that Jr has today and vise versa. The thing that helped the shear size of Dale Jr's fanbase was the fact that he was the most popular driver during the sports peak in popularity. Elliott has a smaller size of fans to root for him compared to what Dale Jr had.
@@timothyfundin8933No, putting Ty's name on an entry that's clearly just a JGR car isn't a loophole. If you could get away with that, then Roush and Hendrick would have been putting their wives or drivers names on the cars all the way back when the rule was first introduced to get around it.
The fact that Dale Jr never won the Cup and him being more popular is so astounding and give him credit for riding that last name to the Richest nascar driver of all time. More that Gordon more than 7 time JJ any of them.
I think a good analogy for jrs popularity would be described as one of them giant ship anchors of weight dropped on him but he pulled it as a human. That's a way I'd try to put jrs popularity into a picture
I agree for sure. I feel like a guy like Blaney would win (maybe even others like Truex but idk) if you could only vote once because knowing Elliott fans are dedicated and annoying as hell
Or fans of Larson, blaney etc could vote everyday and on multiple accounts like Elliott fans do, but no we need to change the system just because other fanbases aren't that intrigued to vote even once a day.
@@LincolnBauer-fy1xgSo the issue isn't the voting system, it's the dedication of other driver fanbases that need to ignite and really get behind their guy. Not sure why people continue to use this to hate Elliott when it's not his fault, it's the people who like other drivers that don't vote enough.
@@NutZachs It’s annoying as heck to spend time every day voting 5 times or whatever it is for your driver when that doesn’t give who the most popular driver is, only how dedicated their fans are to get them winning. And no, I don’t hate Elliott, he’s not my favorite because from what I’ve seen (only been a fan for a few years) he seems to be a bit irrational (like Charlotte last year). However, anytime I see an Elliott fan at track they are annoying and spiteful towards any other driver.
@bryonkidder6199 as far as a charter goes nascar should realize his contributions enough to the sport to let him just have a charter or some type of pay off plan on one to bring him into cup. Even just giving the charter to him for free nascar would make more longterm off of it than they would selling a charter to anyone else
@@abubbamhe doesn’t want to own a cup team, he didn’t get into when a charter was only a few million he’s definitely not doing now that they’re tens of millions. also nascar would never give him one for free lmao
In regards to the Most popular driver and the next Dale Jr. Outside of Chase, and maybe Gibbs if you really want to stretch things, all other current 2nd gen drivers don't have the skill to regularly run up front enough to leverage their name for more popularity. However, I think we are setting up for a possible great "next gen" when Larson's, and Harvick's and Busch's kids all grow up (assuming they keep racing and their talents are blown.) Additionally, do you think this lack of stardom/fame in current drivers minus larson, chase and a few older drivers, is one of the reason JGR changed their stance on racing in other leagues? the need to get Gibbs, and Bell and Briscoe's name out there among the local racers to build up their brand to compete against larson?
They're trying to prove that bot being allowed to race with charters will irreperably harm them. They now have a 3rd entry that they will be losing money on, and they can point out that NASCAR had been holding up millions of their dollars by not allowing them to finalize the purchase of SHR's charter that's supposed to be for that car.
I think one of the things that really kills driver popularity is that there used to be a brand identity associated with them. Everyone associates Junior with that red #8 Budweiser car, Dale Sr. with the #3 Goodwrench, Gordon with that #24 DuPont. Who do people identify Elliott with? Larson? You mentioned the Yankees. The uniform means a lot. Even in racing. Besides, it’s hard to invest in your favorite driver when there’s 30 different paint schemes in a 36 race season…
Dale Jr. was and remains humble to this day. Don’t forget that he ran over 100 races before his father even came to a track to watch him let alone advise him on what to do in a race car. It wasn’t given to him on a silver platter. Dale Sr. Made damn sure that he earned it.
Eric, they poured out because that track didn’t care about their patrons . No security, no concessions to make 1/4 way the race. Bathrooms was overflowing and rent a Jons. Probably sold over 4,000 tickets and stands that wasn’t safe enough for the junkyard 150.. and wouldn’t hold 1000 safely. So when jr went out they fought all of the good fight they could stand.. i know i didn’t make it that far.
There will be no more stars. SMT DATA has destroyed all of that. It's basically a cheat sheet that feeds a better drivers skills into a SIM and lets a weak driver learn how to copy them. So all that's left are vanilla drivers. Kyle Larson had a flash but then the SMT teaches his skill to others and we are back to vanilla. Anyone figures out something new to try and SMT kills it.
I don't know if anyone would agree, but I think this regular season will be the first to see more than 16 winners, meaning some winners miss the playoffs.
McDowell could definitely win a plate race or road course. Only problem is that SVG might win all the road courses next year like he just did in Xfinity.
Chase Elliott is a fan favorite because he doesn’t come off as a phony. He just a regular guy who doesn’t crave attention. Being Bill’s son doesn’t hurt but people like genuine, regular guys.
When it comes to generations and MPD, makes me wonder how things could turn out in a few years when the kids hit the age to start running NASCAR how things would be then for them? I'm talking about kids such as Wyatt Miller, Brexton Busch, Keelan Harvick and so on, in like 4 years so say during the 2028 season Wyatt and Keelan would be/turning 16 that would allow them to meet the minimum age to run non-superspeedway races (or short tracks only at least) with that time for Brexton coming in 2031, how good/popular would they end up being? 2031 would be 7 years away with Wyatt and Keelan being able to run full time while Brexton (likely running for JGR or whatever they're called at the time) being able to run a full season starting in 2034. 10 years from now and by then Chase Elliott would be in his late 30s (38) then and if no no one else takes MPD from him between now and the end of the 2033 season he would have 9 more in addition to his now 7 MPD awards to enter the 2034 season with 16 MPD awards, one more than the 15 Dale Jr got unless Wyatt manages to start getting MPD in 2031 along the lines of Uncle Dale Jr?
Not mentioned for Kyle Larson, "Larson won the Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first Asian-American and first Drive for Diversity participant to win a Rookie of the Year Award in one of NASCAR's national touring series."
I think the Netflix series is a step in that direction as far as superstar goes. In the 00s Jeff Gordon did SNL, Dale Jr did stuff outside of Nascar to get recognition in the media. Drivers on Commercials were more prominent. The Spencer's dictated a lot of what the drivers did outside of racing on Sunday. So guys Like Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon were at least known by name recognized but people that knew nothing about Nascar. Now a days the only Commercials you see with the drivers are only Commercials that they run durning the race or a Nascar related show. I'm a Chase Elliott fan and I respect that he wats to only focus on racing but when I comes to stuff like the Netflix show he declines. Honestly I think Ryan Blaney or Ross Chastain could be the next true superstars amd that if Ryan Blaney uses his personality to get him places other then racing. I could see Ryan Blaney a SNL host. Ross Chastain if anhisur-Busch utilizes him like Dale Jr in the 2000s he could.
If Kyle Larson’s talent and Chase Elliott’s popularity were combined into one person. That still wouldn’t reach the astronomical stardom Dale jr has. He’s someone you can’t replicate. Just like his dad.
I've been always wondering - would Earnhardt name be so famous if Dale Sr survived his accident in 2001? I mean, don't get me wrong but I don't think Earnhardt was as popular before his death as afterward? Correct me if I'm wrong, I was not around then but my feeling is that after Dale's death his status was elevated to the one of some kind of mythical hero
Outside of commercials during NASCAR events; couldn't tell you. The only brands I really think utilize their drivers for the ones that even have commercial during the races are Mahindra&Mahindra and (just barely) Celsius Energy
@ this is my point…..if you see drivers during the week their names are more likely to stick in your head….plus it would probably solve the issue of major sponsors not being as interested as they used to be…..the drop off of year long sponsorship started when the drivers stopped getting in front of the camera so they weren’t getting the bang for their buck like they used to
@russelldesabre9530 so, sounds to me like either they have to put their money into the cars and don't see the return on investment with commercials or don't take the time to do it. I'm sure if you front the money and time they'd gladly give you your commercials back.
It definitely is rare. But I have seen a Morgan & Morgan commercial with Kyle Busch that they are running during college football. So it’s not compeltely gone
!['What the [expletive], man?' | NASCAR's RADIOACTIVE from the Cup Series Championship at Phoenix](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tX78IBxNA_0/mqdefault.jpg)
!['What the [expletive], man?' | NASCAR's RADIOACTIVE from the Cup Series Championship at Phoenix](/img/tr.png)
![Twenty One Pilots - “The Line” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E2Rj2gQAyPA/mqdefault.jpg)
Do not forget Kelly Earnhardt. She has done so much behind the scenes to keep the family going. She got involved in the merchandise side of NASCAR and knows how to play that game as well as anybody
Kelly has been so instrumental in helping Dale Jr’s career & running JRM since Sr. passed. Truly an unsung hero
@@CocaColaDude And she gives credit to LW it seems
Ralph put the Earnhardt name on the map. Dale ‘ Sr ‘ made it BIGGER., Dale Jr has kept on the map…….
And sometime in the next 50 years the name will be like petty is today, pretty irrelevant in the action. Needed to have Dale the third but he’s only got girls so..
Jeffrey is doing his best to put it to rest forever.
@@gibbyshorts458Kelley's daughter is a driver I believe
Your a fucking douchebag to what have you accomplished in life @@LyleFrancisDelp
And if Jr would put Jeffery in the 8 car with the DEI font he’d have a license to print money and Jeffery would be the most popular driver especially if he would win a Daytona or Dega race.
Dale Jr got this Black man watching NASCAR and I continue to be a NASCAR fan TODAY. Having MJ involved in the sport is just icing on the cake 🧁
Kelly has played a Huge reason that Dale JR brand has sustained the test of time!!!!!!
Folks, we can't forget the silent parties like Mike Davis in the background keeping the "RUclips / Podcast Beast" Rolling and keeping us closely connected to the man, the myth, the legend, Dale Earnhardt Jr.!
MTJ resurrects Furniture Row and runs The 78 just for the Daytona 500.
Dale Jr has 2 Busch Series (now Xfinity) Championships as a driver and as an owner has 6. Jr didn’t have the career of his pops in the cup series but the man has definitely been successful and SR would be extremely proud of his boy.
...if not for those blasted concussions
A NASCAR superstar is going to take name recognition, sponsor recognition, and talent. It's hard to get all of that to line up.
Have a merry off season and a happy Christmas quote from chase elliott
Could you rank every track on the 2025 schedule? It would be a great video for offseason time?🔥
Might be fun
@@EricEsteppwould you be willing to rank the best finshes in the 2024 season
@@EricEstepp hey
@@EricEsteppa nascar fantasy draft. Everyone is free agents and you put them on the teams
I saw Truex in the title and was thinking Ryan. I think Ryan Truex does deserve a full time ride in Xfinity
death
taxes
chase elliot winning the mpd award
😂 the fans love Chase Elliott but Chase doesn't like the fans
@@jarm7726 He likes the fans, he just doesn't like them voting for him
And it used to be Jr. How many championships did he win?
@jarm7726 Chase loves the fans. All the drivers do. He doesn't like the media focusing on things like an mpd award that has nothing to do with his ability as a racecar driver. He wants to focus on what he's doing on the track and when he's off the track he wants his space, which is perfectly understandable and respectable. Racers aren't reality tv stars, they shouldn't be expected to be playing for the camera 24/7.
Most deserving BT a mile. Let’s Go.
Best paint schemes of 2024 Eric pleeease! 🙏🙏
Yes!
Dale Jr. had a fuel pump problem.
Dirty Mo media has helped strengthen the brand of the Earnhardt family. Kelly and Mike Davis made it all possible. To remember what an introvert he use to be to become the extrovert he is now. What a journey for that old man. BTW, days of super stars in NASCAR are over.
As a person that came into the sport in 2022 and does still rewatch old races from the 90s, I would say that just one of the many reasons for the popularity of Dale Jr is his name. His dad diedat his peak. We never saw him decline like Jarrett, Labonte and Johnson. He was loved for his personality by the younger ones and also loved by the elder, who saw him as the next Earnhardt in the line of sucession. He should bring the Earnhardt family the eight title and therefore his was loved by those 90s intimidator fans.
Anyway Greetings from Germany
i think it solely falls on NASCAR’s lack of promotion skills. Think about everywhere you saw Earnhardt Gordon etc. back in the 2000s, commercials, public events, cereal boxes etc. I get NASCAR isn’t quite the hot commodity it was back then but i still feel like they fall short with exposure. They’ve had opportunities, Hail Melon is a perfect example, Chastain is a popular driver sure but i can’t help but feel they didn’t do enough to promote that idea of “what will he do next”. Hell you’re telling me they can’t get anything out of Reddick Bubba and Hamlin being connected to the greatest athlete of all time? The only guy right now i could see moving the needle is Kyle Larson
This isn't just a NASCAR problem. Indycar also has the same issue. I feel like American Motorsports in general drops the ball when it comes to promoting their product.
@@ChrisBl33poh 100%. I know F1 is worldwide but i’d argue their rapid increase in popularity is solely because of promotion. I’ve seen Verstappen in multiple commercials and Lewis Hamilton was even in Fortnite. NASCAR and even their fanbase to an extent rely way too much on nostalgia to the point where evolving is becoming difficult
What does Chase Elliott do to help promote NASCAR?
Drivers like Martin Truex and Chase Elliott don't do anything to promote the sport, they show up on Sunday, collect their check, and go home. Most of them are like that nowadays and that's what hurts NASCAR...imo
Is it American motorsports or is it bigger than life personality. Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Tony Stewart still moves the needle but for NHRA, Helio Castronevas, and Danica Patrick
Ross Chastain sponsored watermelons
I like Chase, but come on. The fans skipped Reddick, Larson, Byron, Blaney?
They had to choose someone with no personality
If you expected somebody other than Chase getting the award, boy you haven't paid attention to the last 3 decades. Nobody that doesn't have the last name of Earnhardt or Elliot has won the Most Popular Driver Award.
Stuffed ballots by allow multiple votes per fan, up to five per day. Another Nascar Joke.
@@dragonboss88 been a fan since the early 80s no illusions it's been an Elliott or an Earnhardt, just wish fans appreciated other drivers more
Elliott's fanbase gets behind the voting and out votes the other fanbases. Maybe instead of hating Elliott, people should get ignited and vote for someone else and who knows, maybe you'll out vote Elliott.
Adam sadly passed and seemed very talented. Kyle is 30+ years in the past for most of us. Bill Elliott was the 80's so we are now quite a long ways away from that time. Fans from the era of NASCAR are older or gone. I'm one of the inbetweener fans. I remember watching Allison. Am I a harcore fan of anybody now? Not really.
To think Adam Petty would have been 44 and still could have been racing to this day if he was still alive.
Old? I was at Daytona when King Petty won his last race
@@johnnyfields2682 Woah.
Hi Eric Estepp I never miss a single episode
Man as i spire fan im excited for next season. Last season was an improvement and with all of the new talented personnel i see next season being better. Carson coming off a really good 2024, McDowell is a talented driver and knows how to get a midpack team a win and help the team improve, and then justin. Although he did join the team late in the season and had some good results at rwr but the races at spire wasn't great.
I do hope spire and hendrick form a technical alliance and hope they do get more support from the oem. Regardless im excited for next season.
I feel like the drivers relying so much on social media as well for their fan base. I loved the Nextel/Sprint era commercials on TV. I would bet that the driver that starts doing that kind of exposure will give Elliott a run for his money
I plan to get a college degree in computer IT watching nascar classics and playing nascar video games and spending time with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas
He didn't blow up.... fuel pump quit. 😮
Chase is the man. Congratulations Chase. Let’s Go.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody 😊
Sr was a humble man and it didn't matter what auto maker that you drove for, he was always a good person and an extremely competitive foe at the same time. Jr is the same way.
I would word it differently, instead as, no one is at Dale Jr.s level. I think you meant popularity and nostalgia, and keeping the sport grounded. I will agree with that assessment, Jr. is all of the above because he still is involved in so many areas of NASCAR, including podcasts and video production, he is still young enough to race occasionally, and he is always available for opinions on everything NASCAR. As long as Dale is still involved, no one will move the needle. Let us hope he stays involved for a very long time. Good show. And I won't and can't forget Kelly, she is the foundation for the Empire that exists today.
I agree 100% with that. I also like that if he sees a young driver with talent, he will give them a chance, even if they don't bring money.
I'm not a Larson fan but if you go to the tracks or talk to any fans or drivers it seems like the most popular is Kyle Larson
I think there are multiple reason/ issues why there is no "super-star" of the sport.
1) Obviously, we have to blame the fans for propping up a driver who has zero interest in being popular or helping the sport grow
2) Modern sponsors don't like drivers that speak their mind and grab national headlines for a potentially controversial statements
3) NASCAR does absolutely nothing with the drivers off the race track. Unless it's Sunday, and you're in the same town the race is happening in, you're not gonna see a billboard advertisement of Kyle Larson racing at Michigan. Heck, you don't even really see commercials of upcoming NASACR races outside of NASCAR related broadcasts. NASCAR doesn't have any commercials during RUclips ad breaks, morning news channels, streaming service ad breaks, etc
4) I don't know if this is a sponsor or team problem, but the only driver+sponsor combo that had posters, commericals, etc of them in the 2024 season was Chase Briscoe with Mahindra. When I walk into Bass Pro Shops, I never saw a banner of Martin. If I go into Advanced Auto Parts, there's no lifesize Blaney popup like there used to be of drivers in the 90s and early 2000s
5) NASCAR has no mid week shows. The NFL practically has a 24/7 broadcast of various talk shows dedicated to the sport. The NBA and NLB have similar mid week shows as well. NASCAR has Happy Hour with Harvick on a Monday and... I think that's it
Agree. As for #5 - up until last June, FOX produced Race Hub. It ran most weeknights & was free advertising for Nascar. When Nascar signed the new TV deal, it cut FOX from 19 cup races to 14. So FOX cancelled Race Hub. Why should they pay to advertise races that are on 3 other networks? Nascar got more money in the TV deal, but it cost them in other ways.
Is JGR doing the car, but not the ownership? How many times did SHR build a Cup car for Riley Herbst that ran as a Rick Ware entry?
Yeah, that's exactly what it will be. JGR car and crew under another team's banner.
I think something that has enabled JR to stay so relevant is how good of a podcaster\youtuber\announcer he is. A lot of former drivers\athletes do not have the natural ability he seems to have when it comes to their public career after their sport.
I remember going to races back in the late '80s and early '90s at Rockingham. In October 1989 Dale was battling Rusty Wallace for the championship and Rusty turned him in turn three and he got hit by another car and the whole rear end of the car was torn off. He went behind the wall and literally half the grandstand cleared out.
Connor Zilisch doesn't have the name recognition, but he has the talent and personality to be HUGE
Redbull sponsoring him
There will never be another one like Dale Earnhardt Jr ❤ ! I really do not think NASCAR will allow it ! Just like there will never be another Dale Earnhardt neither ! ❤ your videos Eric ❤ !
Kyle Larson is right there. He could be your next Dale Jr, NASCAR. Just saying.
It won't happen; he still has his 2020 PR disaster hanging over him. Remember, Hendrick himself is STILL his primary sponsor. Blaney's a better choice.
Your 100% correct Eric! I don't there has been massively known stars since Jeff and Jr!
Everyday that passes, the more nervous I get for 23XI’s & FRM’s futures.
I dont who cares good by bubba 😂😂😂😂
@@RonnieMilford-sg4uj he really lives rent free in your head huh
@carpfisher46 yes he is the privileged one 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👎
@@RonnieMilford-sg4ujhow isn’t Corey lajoie not the privileged one? I’m not a bubba fan, but he’s won some races. Corey has never won a race, in any series.
Jr. Wouldn't be where he is at without his sister and the people her & Jr have surrounded him with.
Sprite grabbing the top “shop” talent from SHR is a smart move for sure. Let’s hope Haley and Hocevar can keep consistent week after week.
It was cool seeing the red Bud 8 back with Dale Jr again
Really good show man I liked it
Chase Elliott hates his fame. He’s the absolute worst candidate for most popular driver in this era, and that’s coming from someone that has met him twice…both outside of a NASCAR track.
And I hate him
Getting “you cant sue nascar” clause. Is a big win already. U dont sue to get everything, u sue to make change. Change is being made already as they are “losing” as many of you think.
i don’t think it’s an issue that nascar doesn’t have a star as big as jr. there probably never will be. the earnhardt name IS NASCAR, and it took more than 50 years of coincidences and NASCAR roots to lead to where we are today with jr. it’s not a bad thing if it doesn’t happen again. just shows how amazing it is that we got to witness it.
Eric... lets talk about matty d.
he’s a chump that can’t keep a ride ..what is there to talk about
..he has no marketing ability
What's there to talk about right now? Nothing has happened lol
Why? You got Ryan Preece to make excuses for again...lol
Been a while.
@@Twinspinner we matty d fans just want to know if he has plans for next year, thats all
Thanksgiving this week
Hey Eric has there been any word in them changing the package next year? Horsepower wise or downforce...
Happy Thanksgiving everyone
If Elliott came into NASCAR when Dale Jr did, he would have the same level of popularity that Jr has today and vise versa. The thing that helped the shear size of Dale Jr's fanbase was the fact that he was the most popular driver during the sports peak in popularity. Elliott has a smaller size of fans to root for him compared to what Dale Jr had.
Ralph Earnhardt got the 8 started and Dale made it legendary and jr keeps the 8 legacy alive for sure love the earnhardts
Yeah Jr 8 . Happy Thanksgiving Eric
Chase is pretty quiet guy somewhat more private than other drivers.
Yall seem to be forgetting about Gibbs putting the Xfinity ride under "Ty Gibbs" as the owner...MTJ riding for the kid in February?
Ty will be the future owner of JGR .
@@kharnthebetrayer1575 one day for sure, but for now...its a loophole to get another car in without breaking new "3 car" rule.
@@timothyfundin8933No, putting Ty's name on an entry that's clearly just a JGR car isn't a loophole. If you could get away with that, then Roush and Hendrick would have been putting their wives or drivers names on the cars all the way back when the rule was first introduced to get around it.
The fact that Dale Jr never won the Cup and him being more popular is so astounding and give him credit for riding that last name to the Richest nascar driver of all time. More that Gordon more than 7 time JJ any of them.
I think a good analogy for jrs popularity would be described as one of them giant ship anchors of weight dropped on him but he pulled it as a human. That's a way I'd try to put jrs popularity into a picture
What about Dave and Ryan Blaney?
They need to change the vote for MPD to be only 1 vote per person. No more stacking the votes.
I agree for sure. I feel like a guy like Blaney would win (maybe even others like Truex but idk) if you could only vote once because knowing Elliott fans are dedicated and annoying as hell
Nascar doesn't want to change the voting system due to it will show the real amount of fans. And Chase would no longer win.
Or fans of Larson, blaney etc could vote everyday and on multiple accounts like Elliott fans do, but no we need to change the system just because other fanbases aren't that intrigued to vote even once a day.
@@LincolnBauer-fy1xgSo the issue isn't the voting system, it's the dedication of other driver fanbases that need to ignite and really get behind their guy. Not sure why people continue to use this to hate Elliott when it's not his fault, it's the people who like other drivers that don't vote enough.
@@NutZachs It’s annoying as heck to spend time every day voting 5 times or whatever it is for your driver when that doesn’t give who the most popular driver is, only how dedicated their fans are to get them winning. And no, I don’t hate Elliott, he’s not my favorite because from what I’ve seen (only been a fan for a few years) he seems to be a bit irrational (like Charlotte last year). However, anytime I see an Elliott fan at track they are annoying and spiteful towards any other driver.
Jr is the only thing keeping nascar alive even if he isn't on the track. Jr needs a cup team and he needs to get his relatives on the track
You'd think he could talk GM or Zack Brown or Mike Curb to be his Gene Haas like Tony Stewart had?
@bryonkidder6199 as far as a charter goes nascar should realize his contributions enough to the sport to let him just have a charter or some type of pay off plan on one to bring him into cup. Even just giving the charter to him for free nascar would make more longterm off of it than they would selling a charter to anyone else
@@abubbamhe doesn’t want to own a cup team, he didn’t get into when a charter was only a few million he’s definitely not doing now that they’re tens of millions. also nascar would never give him one for free lmao
In regards to the Most popular driver and the next Dale Jr. Outside of Chase, and maybe Gibbs if you really want to stretch things, all other current 2nd gen drivers don't have the skill to regularly run up front enough to leverage their name for more popularity. However, I think we are setting up for a possible great "next gen" when Larson's, and Harvick's and Busch's kids all grow up (assuming they keep racing and their talents are blown.)
Additionally, do you think this lack of stardom/fame in current drivers minus larson, chase and a few older drivers, is one of the reason JGR changed their stance on racing in other leagues? the need to get Gibbs, and Bell and Briscoe's name out there among the local racers to build up their brand to compete against larson?
I don't see how them adding Herbst is going to help their case, if anything it is going to hurt it.
You got that right
They're trying to prove that bot being allowed to race with charters will irreperably harm them. They now have a 3rd entry that they will be losing money on, and they can point out that NASCAR had been holding up millions of their dollars by not allowing them to finalize the purchase of SHR's charter that's supposed to be for that car.
@@ZVPieGuy If it was harming them then why add a 3rd team? They are contradicting themselves.
It was great too see him in the no. 8 Budwiser car
Hey eric are you going to do a downhill diecast championship this year?
The two you've done are amazing
I think one of the things that really kills driver popularity is that there used to be a brand identity associated with them. Everyone associates Junior with that red #8 Budweiser car, Dale Sr. with the #3 Goodwrench, Gordon with that #24 DuPont. Who do people identify Elliott with? Larson? You mentioned the Yankees. The uniform means a lot. Even in racing. Besides, it’s hard to invest in your favorite driver when there’s 30 different paint schemes in a 36 race season…
I get your point, but I identify Elliot with NAPA auto parts.
Dale Jr. was and remains humble to this day. Don’t forget that he ran over 100 races before his father even came to a track to watch him let alone advise him on what to do in a race car. It wasn’t given to him on a silver platter. Dale Sr. Made damn sure that he earned it.
Dave Blaney!! I was a fan of his! Also a fan of Ryan!
Eric, they poured out because that track didn’t care about their patrons . No security, no concessions to make 1/4 way the race. Bathrooms was overflowing and rent a Jons. Probably sold over 4,000 tickets and stands that wasn’t safe enough for the junkyard 150.. and wouldn’t hold 1000 safely. So when jr went out they fought all of the good fight they could stand.. i know i didn’t make it that far.
Kyle Busch could be, if RCR would just give him good cars consistently
Hahaha that’s a good joke wasn’t expecting that one
As a Kyle Busch fan
I love family legacies. I also like to see kids working their way up, like Keelan Harvick.
Hope to see Truex drive the 56 car for whatever team he’ll run for the ‘25 Daytona 500.
I wish MTJ wasn’t actually with Toyota/Gibbs, Just because I want to see him in what’s practically a fifth Hendrick car
@@BraydenBunch58why?
Wouldn’t mind seeing him in the 78 either, especially with Cole Pearn as crew chief
@@LincolnBauer-fy1xg Because a JRM *one off* would be cool
@ would be interesting but I doubt it will happen
There will be no more stars. SMT DATA has destroyed all of that. It's basically a cheat sheet that feeds a better drivers skills into a SIM and lets a weak driver learn how to copy them. So all that's left are vanilla drivers. Kyle Larson had a flash but then the SMT teaches his skill to others and we are back to vanilla. Anyone figures out something new to try and SMT kills it.
@GMtkett Your absolutely right SMT DATA needs to be removed I’m surprised your better drivers aren’t complaining more about this.
I don't know if anyone would agree, but I think this regular season will be the first to see more than 16 winners, meaning some winners miss the playoffs.
Would love to see Spire Motorsports make the playoffs.
At this point if they can get someone in 37th in points into the playoffs I wouldn’t doubt it
McDowell could definitely win a plate race or road course. Only problem is that SVG might win all the road courses next year like he just did in Xfinity.
@@ZVPieGuy that’s cup not xfinity
Chase Elliott is a fan favorite because he doesn’t come off as a phony. He just a regular guy who doesn’t crave attention. Being Bill’s son doesn’t hurt but people like genuine, regular guys.
Best and worst 2024 paint schemes please!
Kyle Larson not being someone’s son is why I think alot of fans like him.
It was fuel pump.... Not a engine issue on Jr's car
Engine doesn't run too good without the fuel pump.
When it comes to generations and MPD, makes me wonder how things could turn out in a few years when the kids hit the age to start running NASCAR how things would be then for them? I'm talking about kids such as Wyatt Miller, Brexton Busch, Keelan Harvick and so on, in like 4 years so say during the 2028 season Wyatt and Keelan would be/turning 16 that would allow them to meet the minimum age to run non-superspeedway races (or short tracks only at least) with that time for Brexton coming in 2031, how good/popular would they end up being? 2031 would be 7 years away with Wyatt and Keelan being able to run full time while Brexton (likely running for JGR or whatever they're called at the time) being able to run a full season starting in 2034. 10 years from now and by then Chase Elliott would be in his late 30s (38) then and if no no one else takes MPD from him between now and the end of the 2033 season he would have 9 more in addition to his now 7 MPD awards to enter the 2034 season with 16 MPD awards, one more than the 15 Dale Jr got unless Wyatt manages to start getting MPD in 2031 along the lines of Uncle Dale Jr?
The Earnhardts have personality.
Corporations have the drivers in the headlock. They can't say or do what they want. KB is the last of that
Problem is most of us who remember Richard Petty as a driver are regulars on the AARP mailing list.
Cadillac f1 officially the 11th f1 team
Cadillac to NASCAR?!?!
(replace the Camaro)
It would be interesting to see if JGR or whoever bring back furniture row racing for daytona for truex to race in.
Dale Jr is awesome.
I agree Eric.
Not mentioned for Kyle Larson, "Larson won the Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year award, becoming the first Asian-American and first Drive for Diversity participant to win a Rookie of the Year Award in one of NASCAR's national touring series."
Chase Elliott got voted in by the fans. The fans spoke not Nascar. If people don't like it then they can vote next year.
Ty Gibbs Racing will be entering the 78 Camry in the 500 with Martin Truex Jr driving
Riley Herbst is my rookie of the Year for 2025 with a race win.
Peak off season or not, you do a fine job all season long.
So ramble on brother
I think the Netflix series is a step in that direction as far as superstar goes. In the 00s Jeff Gordon did SNL, Dale Jr did stuff outside of Nascar to get recognition in the media. Drivers on Commercials were more prominent. The Spencer's dictated a lot of what the drivers did outside of racing on Sunday. So guys Like Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon were at least known by name recognized but people that knew nothing about Nascar. Now a days the only Commercials you see with the drivers are only Commercials that they run durning the race or a Nascar related show. I'm a Chase Elliott fan and I respect that he wats to only focus on racing but when I comes to stuff like the Netflix show he declines. Honestly I think Ryan Blaney or Ross Chastain could be the next true superstars amd that if Ryan Blaney uses his personality to get him places other then racing. I could see Ryan Blaney a SNL host. Ross Chastain if anhisur-Busch utilizes him like Dale Jr in the 2000s he could.
Both of my favorite drivers retired. Dale Jr. and Harvick.
All my favorite drivers are dead
Hay Eric
If Kyle Larson’s talent and Chase Elliott’s popularity were combined into one person. That still wouldn’t reach the astronomical stardom Dale jr has. He’s someone you can’t replicate. Just like his dad.
I've been always wondering - would Earnhardt name be so famous if Dale Sr survived his accident in 2001? I mean, don't get me wrong but I don't think Earnhardt was as popular before his death as afterward? Correct me if I'm wrong, I was not around then but my feeling is that after Dale's death his status was elevated to the one of some kind of mythical hero
Trackhouse was the breakout of 2022
RFK was the breakout of 2023
23Xl was the breakout of 2024
Maybe it will be Spire for 2025.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. NASCAR needs its own Dan Wheldon.
Dale JR has a Everest high level of charisma. Chase has hmmm , let me think ..... the Elliot name.
What if Chase Elliott did more than just the minimum you can do as a race car driver?
Chase Elliott won the championship back in 2020.
@@gianthand8130 and? Did he work with NASCAR to promote himself and the sport or did he go snowboarding and break his leg?
Hey eric its my birthday today🎉🎉
Oh happy birthday
The problem with modern drivers is they don’t push their sponsors like they did in the 90’s…..when was the last time you saw a driver in a commercial?
That’s more on the sponsors for not using them.
Outside of commercials during NASCAR events; couldn't tell you.
The only brands I really think utilize their drivers for the ones that even have commercial during the races are Mahindra&Mahindra and (just barely) Celsius Energy
@ this is my point…..if you see drivers during the week their names are more likely to stick in your head….plus it would probably solve the issue of major sponsors not being as interested as they used to be…..the drop off of year long sponsorship started when the drivers stopped getting in front of the camera so they weren’t getting the bang for their buck like they used to
@russelldesabre9530 so, sounds to me like either they have to put their money into the cars and don't see the return on investment with commercials or don't take the time to do it. I'm sure if you front the money and time they'd gladly give you your commercials back.
It definitely is rare. But I have seen a Morgan & Morgan commercial with Kyle Busch that they are running during college football. So it’s not compeltely gone
One could argue that Chase has a combined fan base of Elliotts, Earnhardts and Gordon.