Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to the NASCAR electric vehicle prototype…

This weekend in Chicago,  NACAR Runveiled a new electric vehicle prototype to mixed reactions. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has now weighed in on the subject. We know Earnhardt is about as old-school as they come. So, how is he taking this new project from NASCAR?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been doing more than most to push NASCAR into the modern era. He is still the most popular and easily recognizable figure in the sport and he hasn’t raced full-time since 2017, but his impact and influence on the sport is clear.

David Ragan has been the driver testing this NASCAR electric prototype out. He ran laps at Martinsville in the car earlier this season and now put on a demonstration on the streets of Chicago.

Ragan says that lap times at Martinsville are similar to the current Cup Series car. Various videos from Chicago have shown how quick the all-wheel drive accelerates. While the sound isn’t nearly as satisfying as a combustion engine, there is a future market for this stuff.

When it comes to the news when it comes to
Dale Jr. doesn’t mind it.

“I don’t really have a problem with this. Reminds me of those years messing with slot cars at Dave Maders. That was fun. Reminds me of the carpet RC cars I fooled with for years. That was fun. It’s just a big toy. Should be fun,”

NASCAR has no plans to race this car and does not have plans for an electric racing series at this time. But when you look at what NitroCross, Extreme-E, Formula-E and other series are doing around the globe, it’s not outrageous that NASCAR would tinker in the space.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t seem to think this is a very serious project from NASCAR. I also think he’s cheapening the actual product itself by comparing it to a toy. If he had a chance to drive it, I don’t think he would see it as a “big toy” any more than a regular race car is a “big toy.”