Dale Earnhardt Jr. raises concerns over NASCAR's new exemption rule for Daytona 500

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has expressed concerns about NASCAR's new Open Exemption Provisional rule. This rule allows top drivers, like Helio Castroneves, to secure starting positions in races, including the Daytona 500, raising questions about fairness among teams. Trackhouse Racing plans to use this exemption for Castroneves, who is making his NASCAR Cup Series debut. Earnhardt Jr. noted that this could create tension among teams competing for limited spots, especially if more teams seek exemptions in the future. Trackhouse Racing's owner, Justin Marks, defended the exemption, stating it could attract more viewers to the sport. He emphasized the importance of having well-known drivers participate in major events like the Daytona 500.