In the 2017 NASCAR race at Sonoma Raceway, tensions flared between prominent drivers Danica Patrick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Patrick, who had been running comfortably within the top 10, saw her race take a downturn on lap 15 following two on-track incidents involving Earnhardt Jr. These encounters ultimately relegated her to a 17th-place finish.

Expressing her frustration post-race, Patrick highlighted the aggressive nature of stock car racing on road courses, contrasting it with her experiences in IndyCar. She remarked on the prevalence of “dive-bombing” maneuvers, where drivers make bold, often risky overtaking attempts. Patrick noted that while such tactics add excitement to stock car racing—thanks to the cars’ ability to withstand fender-to-fender contact without the peril of wheel entanglement common in open-wheel racing—they can also lead to disappointing outcomes for those on the receiving end. Despite the setback, she remained optimistic, stating that competitive performances would eventually yield favorable results.

In contrast, Earnhardt Jr. managed to navigate the challenges of the race to secure a sixth-place finish. Reflecting on the incidents with Patrick, he acknowledged his role in the initial contact, describing it as a consequence of being in the “wrong place, wrong time.” Earnhardt Jr. explained that in his attempt to overtake, he ventured lower on the track than usual, encountering slick conditions that led to his rear tires locking up. He accepted partial responsibility for the mishap, characterizing it as a racing incident.

This episode underscores the intense and unpredictable nature of NASCAR road course events, where split-second decisions and aggressive strategies can dramatically influence race outcomes.