Dale Earnhardt Jr. is positive for change, and he’s made his stance clear on NASCAR’s controversial decision to revamp the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) layout for 2025. While fan reactions remain split, the Hall of Famer threw his support behind the shift to the 2.3-mile National Course, praising the move in a recent social media post as a “hell of a job.”
The move, announced in February, trims the traditional 3.41-mile track by over a mile and adds 27 laps to the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. While some fans question the change, Earnhardt and industry leaders argue it prioritizes closer racing and fan engagement.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Backs Shorter COTA: ‘Hell of a Job’
COTA’s National Course eliminates the track’s lengthy back stretch, redirecting drivers left after the esses section. Lap times are expected to drop by a minute, intensifying the action. NASCAR projects 95 laps on the revised layout, up from 68, with the same 20 turns packed into a tighter 2.3-mile circuit.
Earnhardt, known for his directness, left no doubt where he stands. “I like the new short COTA course! Hell of a job whoever pushed that idea through,” he tweeted. His endorsement carries weight: The two-time Daytona 500 winner has long advocated for fan-focused changes.
I like the new short COTA course! Hell of a job whoever pushed that idea through. @NASCAR
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 1, 2025
Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith echoed the sentiment. “Fans will have more laps to cheer for their favorite driver from the best seats, and the action will come faster with lap times reduced by roughly a minute,” he said. The shift follows similar tweaks at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where recent reconfigurations boosted pack racing.
But not everyone’s convinced. Critics argue the shorter course reduces strategic passing zones. Earnhardt’s stance indicates drivers adapt or get left behind.
COTA Layout Debate: Drivers Adjust, Fans Clash Over Changes
Reactions beyond Earnhardt reveal a split. Retired driver Kenny Wallace applauded the move, reposting Earnhardt’s tweet with added praise for SMI’s recent track updates. “Great decisions by the @MarcusSMI teams,” Wallace wrote. “@ATLMotorSpdwy was incredible too.”
Great decisions by the @MarcusSMI teams. @ATLMotorSpdwy was incredible too🏁 https://t.co/4iXegj6mYB
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) March 1, 2025
Current drivers face a steeper learning curve. Ross Chastain, a COTA winner in 2022, tested the National Course on iRacing and said, “It’s going to be like basically going to a new track.”
He noted the esses-to-backstretch cut changes braking rhythms but kept optimism: “It flows together nice, and [Turn] 12 [of the Full Course] will really change since we don’t have that long backstretch. Once I get to [Turn] 13, though, it’s all going to be the same. I’ll get my normal speed I was at last year. Gosh, this place is awesome.”
The debate mirrors NASCAR’s broader balancing act: innovation vs. tradition. For now, the National Course is a done deal. The March 2 race will show whether Earnhardt’s enthusiasm or the skeptics’ doubts prove far-sighted.
