Dale Earnhardt Jr. has unleashed fierce criticism against NASCAR’s current minimum speed rule, especially after a controversial incident at the 2025 Xfinity race in Texas. The controversy centered around Kris Wright, a driver known for frequent involvement in wrecks, who was eight laps down but still on track when he collided with contender Justin Allgaier. Allgaier, who had been dominating much of the race, saw his title defense end abruptly after slamming into the much slower Wright in Turn 4 on Lap 157. The crash ignited outrage among fans and, notably, from Earnhardt Jr. himself.

Earnhardt Jr. did not direct his anger at Wright personally, but rather at the rule that allowed such a scenario. He argued that NASCAR’s minimum speed policy is “egregiously lenient” and “ridiculous,” noting that the threshold is so low that cars can be several seconds off the pace and still not be black-flagged. He explained, “The minimum speed rule is not worth anything. The minimum speed rule is egregiously lenient. It’s pretty slow. It’s ridiculous.” However, he refrained from calling the rule a “joke,” saying he avoids such language out of respect for the sport and its governing body, even as he remains a strong critic seeking improvement.

The minimum speed, known as the “100% rule,” is typically set at 115% of the fastest lap time at most tracks. For example, if the fastest lap is 30 seconds, the minimum speed would be 34.5 seconds. Earnhardt Jr. highlighted that teams many laps down can easily meet this requirement without being truly competitive or safe, which undermines the rule’s intent.

He also questioned why the rule is enforced so leniently and inconsistently, recalling his own confusion during driver meetings: “He wanted to bring up the point about the guy being eight laps down and being slow. Well, that’s a minimum speed issue for me. I don’t know why it’s always been so forgiving.” His frustration peaked after witnessing Allgaier’s crash, stating, “What the f- we doing? Like that is terrible.”

Earnhardt Jr.’s critique is part of a broader dissatisfaction among drivers regarding NASCAR’s officiating. Many feel that rules like the minimum speed policy, the Damaged Vehicle Policy, and even the timing of caution flags are inconsistently enforced or prioritize entertainment over safety and fairness. The Texas incident has intensified calls for NASCAR to revisit and toughen its minimum speed rule to better protect drivers and maintain the integrity of the competition.