By
Saajan Jogia is a motorsport and automotive writer with over ten years of experience. His passion for cars and motorcycles has been a driving force behind his evolution as a writer. He has extensively covered Formula 1, MotoGP, IndyCar, NASCAR, WEC, and technology for publications including Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Newsweek, and Men’s Journal.
Sports Contributing Writer
news article
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Share
✓ Link copied to clipboard!
Listen
Translate
English (Original)
Español中国人FrançaisDeutschPortugueseहिन्दी
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Speed: 0.5xSpeed: 1xSpeed: 1.5xSpeed: 2x
🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
✖
NASCAR team owner and former driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has questioned the sport for not penalizing drivers who cut corners in Turn 2 during the Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway.
The race was marred with controversy after Denny Hamlin questioned Connor Zilisch’s race win, targeting NASCAR for not penalizing him after he drove through the A-frame twice. Now, Dale Jr. has highlighted a concern and pointed fingers at the sport, arguing that there is already a “protocol in place” for drivers who cut corners.
Related: Denny Hamlin Sparks Controversy Over Connor Zilisch’s Win in Portland
The final laps saw a race restart, leading many cars to crowd into Turn 1. While Zilisch made it through by driving through the penalty zone twice, some cars reportedly cut the corner, and a few others were involved in a wreck. Addressing the matter, he stated on his Dale Jr. Download podcast:
“What should be done about the cars that didn’t make Turn 2 that didn’t run the A-frame, but also didn’t get around the curb in 2? There’s probably some protocol or something already in place.
Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
“Everybody knew beforehand if you don’t run the A-frame, it’s like a lot of seconds. It’s like 30 seconds of some s**t, or your lap don’t count. Why didn’t they do that? I mean, it’s the most important lap of the race.
“I would argue that there are plenty of guys that run on the inside of the curbs there in the final few laps. We’ve had incredible races where, like Brad Keselowski going through the grass. I know it’s not the fastest way, they didn’t gain any advantage, but they did put four tires off the racetrack and cut the corner, and NASCAR hasn’t stepped in to do anything before.”
Dale Jr. revealed that he was happy NASCAR is not returning to Portland, and expressed his dislike for the nature of Turns 1 and 2. He added:
“I can’t argue that maybe how they did it at Portland wasn’t as much as a deterrent. I would just say I’m glad we’re not going back. It’s nothing to do with location or really anything else but the fact of that Turn 1 and 2 combination is just not good.
“… I just feel like that type of a turn being the first — that chicane or whatever you want to call it — that being the very first turn you’re going to enter after a restart for any racetrack is a bad idea. It’s just not a good design.”