A career in motorsports has never been cheap—just fast. For the average fan, tickets, travel, and souvenirs eat into wallets. For drivers and teams? It’s a balancing act between chasing speed and staying afloat. Testing, tuning, travel- all add up, especially for short-track racers grinding it out without the million-dollar backing of Cup Series giants. Even racetrack owners feel the pinch, battling rising costs while trying to keep the gates open.
In this world, where every dollar counts, even a routine test session can turn into a budget-breaking affair. That’s exactly what unfolded ahead of this weekend’s CARS Tour race, triggering reactions across the paddock. And when Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself steps in with a stern tweet and a potential solution? Well, it’s clear something bigger is brewing in the grassroots scene.
Dale Jr. addresses testing controversy at Cordele
A bit of drama is unfolding ahead of the CARS Tour’s debut at Georgia’s Cordele Motor Speedway. And Dale Earnhardt Jr. is right in the middle of it. While prepping to race in his No. 8 Late Model Stock this weekend, Dale Jr. is also addressing criticism over steep testing fees that caught many teams off guard.
Cordele, a fresh stop for the mostly Mid-Atlantic-based series, reportedly charged $125 per hour with a three-hour minimum for testing this week, a towering amount in comparison to other CARS Tour races. Late model driver Doug Barnes Jr., one of the first to call it out, posted on X, “Testing today for this weekends CARS Tour race. Usually it’s about $150-200 a day to test, but Cordele is welcoming us with a nice $125 AN HOUR. Thanks for the hospitality @CordeleSpeedway.“
To this, Dale Jr. responded, “I don’t run the track but I do know this. This wasn’t news for you today. All teams on the conference call earlier this week were made aware and told to plan accordingly.” However, Barnes wasn’t convinced. He swiftly replied, “I’m not acting surprised at all? It’s absurd to charge us that much for testing. I can almost guarantee some people didn’t come today just because of that price, not the distance to get here.”
Understanding what Barnes and other teams were up against, Dale Jr. acknowledged the issue. He replied, “It’s unfortunate that it’s that high. For sure. Didn’t see that on the radar. Maybe a testing ban is the way. I’d rather us not be testing and practicing so much. One day shows, no support classes, done by 10 pm.” This would help level the playing field and possibly cut costs across the board. A win-win situation for the teams!
It’s unfortunate that it’s that high. For sure. Didn’t see that on the radar. Maybe a testing ban is the way. I’d rather us not be testing and practicing so much. One day shows, no support classes, done by 10pm.
Don’t let this be the story of this weekend though. Too much hard…
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) April 10, 2025
Dale Jr.’s suggestion to ban or limit testing may seem drastic, but it’s not without merit. In an era where every dollar counts, especially for smaller teams, reining in runaway costs is crucial. The CARS Tour thrives on parity and passion, not just deep pockets. If a testing cap helps preserve that, it might be a necessary step forward.
Dale Jr. also added in his post on X, “Don’t let this be the story of this weekend though. Too much hard work went into this weekend from a series standpoint.” This line holds a lot of weight, as this is the CARS Tour’s first-ever stop in Georgia, at a grassroots track close to Dale Jr.’s heart. Formerly known os Crisp Motorsports Park, the track underwent an ownership change in 2024, under the leadership of Greg and Lori Noland. Since then, the track has been revamped and renovated, and the CARS Tour gracing it in 2025 also marks Dale Jr.’s return behind the wheel for the first time since late 2024 at Florence Motor Speedway!
While the excitement for this weekend was hit with a dampener from CARS Tour driver Doug Barnes Jr., let’s take a look at the late model driver’s upcoming races where, hopefully, he doesn’t have to pay such an exorbitant amount for testing!
Doug Barnes Jr.’s busy April schedule
Doug Barnes Jr., a rising star in NASCAR and Late Model racing, is gearing up for a packed April schedule. Known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style, Barnes has made a name for himself with multiple championships at Dominion Raceway and victories at prestigious events like the Florence Motor Speedway IceBreaker. With his eyes set on continued success, April promises to be a pivotal month in his career.
Barnes kicks off his month at Cordele Motor Speedway on April 12th, competing in the CARS Tour’s inaugural event at the Georgia track. The ⅜-mile oval will host a deep field of talent, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. Barnes will need to rely on his experience and adaptability to navigate the tight, competitive field and make a strong showing against some of the best drivers in the series.
On April 19th, Barnes returns to familiar territory at Dominion Raceway in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Series. Here, Barnes is a two-time track champion. Dominion’s high-banked turns and competitive fields have been instrumental in shaping Barnes’ driving style. With a proven track record at this venue, he’ll look to leverage his home-track advantage to secure another win and build momentum for the rest of the season.
The month wraps up with a return to the CARS Tour on April 26th at Orange County Speedway, one of the most challenging short tracks on the East Coast. Known for its abrasive surface and high tire wear, Orange County will test Barnes’ ability to conserve tires while maintaining speed. His past success in similar conditions at Florence suggests he’s well-prepared for this challenge.
As Barnes tackles this demanding schedule, fans and competitors alike are eager to see how he performs under pressure. With each race offering unique challenges, April could prove to be a defining month in his pursuit of further success in Late Model racing.
The post Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gives Stern Warning to Team Owners as He Prepares to Make a Harsh Call for His CARS Tour appeared first on EssentiallySports.
