Ahead of the 2024 Texas Cup race Jimmie Johnson publicly asked NASCAR to extend the practice session to give teams more times to better develop the cars. This would’ve also allowed JJ, who has been struggling in the Next-Gen era to have a better understanding of the car as he has been struggling to have solid race weeks.
Now NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. via his podcast has now made a case for why these demands should be heard. He pointed out that with more practice Jimme Johnson can be more competitive. Junior also pointed out that alongside the No:84 Toyota driver, Trackhosue Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen also deserves more time.
I would love to give him more practice cause I want to see Jimmie Johnson be competitive, right? Cause I know he can be. And I feel like he's racing with one arm tied behind his back and I feel that way for Shane (Van Gisbergen). Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
Jimme Johson is currently really struggling in the Cup series, so giving his more time would do a world of good as. His struggles are due to the fact that he had to change his driving style to race the 7th gen cars, so having extended practice would give him a fair chance of succeeding in top tier again as he used to do in his peak years with HMS. SVG deserves a similar treatment as well.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes a strong case for Shane van Gisbergen
Just like he passionately spoke for Johnson, Junior also made a strong case for Shane van Gisbergen. He pointed out that SVG gave up a successful Supercars career in Oceana to build a new career at US. Junior believes the Kiwi should be given fair chance and shouldn’t be given an excuse to perform below his average, so he deserves extra practice session like many.
He gave up everything he had back in New Zealand and Australia, a successful career to come out here and he wants this to work. And I don't want there to be any excuses why it didn't. Those are two examples. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
Junior has a strong point why the part-time drivers and the upcoming driver deserves to have more practice as it’s the only way for them to be competitive with the full-time drivers. So, giving them as well as the current Cup drivers more practice can only do better.
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