Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been advocating for the elimination of gear shifting in NASCAR for a long time. The NASCAR community has been engaged in active discussions on various issues related to the Next-Gen cars. These discussions intensified after the failure of a new aerodynamic package introduced in Phoenix, which did not solve the traffic issues. Increasing power and making tires less durable have been key points of discussion. Now, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jr. has raised another important topic for discussion: removing gear shifting in the sport. According to him, gear shifting prevents drivers from planning the pace of their laps in the corners and making strategic decisions. He believes that gear shifting has become second nature to drivers and eliminating it would allow for more productive races and avoid gearbox issues. Dale Jr. emphasized that NASCAR drivers on oval tracks cannot perform at their best because they cannot focus solely on corner speed. He suggested that NASCAR find a way to eliminate gear shifting on oval tracks. NASCAR is currently facing a challenging situation, with active and retired drivers offering different ideas on how to address the issues with the Next-Gen car. It is crucial for the sanctioning body to listen to the right advice and implement necessary changes.
