NASCAR’s New Stage-Break Rule Gets Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Approval
· Yahoo Sports
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacted to NASCAR’s latest changes to the stage break rule regarding caution deployment. The sport’s icon approved the new caution rule, suggesting that it would help ‘move things along’.
The NASCAR caution durations and rules had faced scrutiny from fans and industry personnel, especially after the last race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell came out on Thursday and confirmed changes to the caution rule.
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As per the new rules, if a caution falls within 10 laps of the stage break, it would be considered the end of the stage. The rule will be implemented from the very next race weekend at the Iowa Speedway.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dirty Mo Overdrive episode approved of the latest caution rule changes introduced by NASCAR, as he said,
“If a caution comes out inside the last 10 laps of a stage break, that will be the end of the stage. NASCAR will throw the flag to end the stage and start the protocol of the stage break itself and the process of pitting the cars and getting us back to green flag. This should really help move things along.”
However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. also highlighted how the duration of the caution continues to a woe that NASCAR needs to focus on as he added,
“They are still working on how they can shorten up standard traditional cautions. So we’re not done. And I’m sure there’s going to be some things that have come in the many, many months down the road leading into next season where we’ll get better at trying to speed up that process.” Dale Jr. added.
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Before the implementation of the new caution rules, a caution for the stage break was mandatory irrespective of when the last caution flag had dropped.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggests that NASCAR fans will ‘embrace’ the caution rules change
Feb 13, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesThe Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway saw 5 caution periods, totaling 27 laps under yellow. The laps under caution just before a stage break, which led to consecutive caution periods, became a critical talking point after the race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaking on the recent Dirty Mo Overdrive episode, suggested that fans will embrace the new caution rule changes.
“This is a great move for NASCAR because we know at the end of these stages, the intensity ramps up, potential for trouble, for cautions, for wrecks, whatever, all that stuff kind of ramps up. And we often do find ourselves in these situations where a caution comes out with four or five laps to go in a stage. So this will be a great move embraced by fans and everyone else in the industry,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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The new caution rules will likely lead to more laps under caution and fewer cautions, improving the flow of the race.