Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly supported Erik Jones following a crash involving Christopher Bell during the NASCAR Cup Series race on June 1 in Nashville. The incident occurred during a high-stakes restart after the third caution, when Jones attempted an aggressive move on Bell from the inside lane. Both drivers were competing for top positions—Bell was fifth and Jones seventh—when their cars made contact, resulting in a crash that disrupted their races and sparked debate over who was at fault.
Earnhardt Jr. defended Jones, suggesting that Bell should have anticipated the move and taken steps to avoid the collision. Drawing from his own racing experience, Earnhardt recalled how his former crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., would rarely offer sympathy after a wreck but instead focus on whether the driver could have prevented the incident. He quoted Eury’s typical reaction: “What the hell were you thinking running on the door of that guy, or running so tight on him? You could’ve avoided that. You should have known better.” Applying this philosophy to the Nashville crash, Earnhardt Jr. implied that Bell bore responsibility for not avoiding the collision.
Adding a personal dimension to the incident, Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the history between the two drivers. Jones previously drove the No. 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing from 2018 to 2020, and Bell took over the same car starting in 2021. This background, Earnhardt argued, might explain Jones’ aggressive approach and Bell’s reaction during the race. He said that if he were to address both drivers, he would focus on Bell, saying, “Damn, dude. What’d you expect him to do? You’re driving his old car. He’s still a little pissed off about that. And you blocked him to the apron.” This suggests that Bell’s blocking move contributed to the crash and that Jones was justified in his attempt to pass.
At the time of the crash, Jones was struggling in the Cup Series standings, sitting 24th with only two top-ten finishes, while Bell was third overall with three wins and six top-five finishes. The incident underscored the intense competitive environment and personal motivations influencing driver behavior in the series.
Earnhardt Jr. further criticized Bell’s decision-making, emphasizing that as one of the series’ strongest drivers, Bell should have exercised more caution rather than expecting Jones to yield. He pointed out that Jones was desperate to improve his position in an underperforming car and had limited opportunities to race near the front. Earnhardt said, “What do you want him to do? He ain’t in the top, he run in the top five once every 15 races. Jones is on the inside, got blocked to the apron, and we had a lot of time to sit there and watch him decide not to let the 20 live.” He also noted that Jones had milliseconds more to make a different choice, while drivers further back are often just trying to survive on the track.
The crash has sparked discussion among fans and analysts about the responsibility of veteran drivers to avoid incidents, especially when competing against former teammates or drivers with shared histories. This debate is particularly relevant as the NASCAR Cup Series approaches the summer stretch, with both Bell and Jones chasing crucial points.
Earnhardt Jr.’s backing of Jones highlights the complexity of mid-pack battles and the need for experienced drivers like Bell to anticipate aggressive moves from drivers trying to break into the front group. The Nashville crash may serve as a case study for future on-track confrontations as the season progresses and competition intensifies.
