A few days ago, many Cup Series veterans were excited. NASCAR finally announced its highly anticipated changes to the championship format, and the results were more than favorable. From removing the playoffs to prioritizing points accumulated over the course of a season, most of the elements were endearing. However, a recent update regarding another rule change has left Dale Earnhardt Jr. disheartened.
Extra cookies make Dale Earnhardt Jr. frown
“NASCAR has designated for the first three races an ‘interim new OEM’ – obviously for Ram. In the first three races, if an entry from a new OEM doesn’t qualify, it gets spots 37th through 40th. This helps with points until the current season’s points come into play,” updated reporter Bob Pockrass on X. In response, Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted a GIF in the comments section, clearly expressing his disapproval.
Advertisement
As Ram makes its return to NASCAR, the sanctioning body is rolling out a red carpet. He will potentially hold four additional OEM provisional spots in the first three Craftsman Truck Series races this season, or at Daytona, EchoPark Speedway or the St. Petersburg street race. According to Mike Forde, NASCAR general manager of communications, this is intended to help Ram teams “get their sea legs.”
And Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t happy about the extra help at all. This OEM provisional rule appears to be a variation of last year’s Open Exemption Provisional which allows a spot for a big-name driver. Helio Castroneves used it in 2025, and Jimmy Johnson will use it in 2026. Although these drivers do not receive points or prize money, Ram entries would be credited with points for their finishes.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. commented on journalist Jordan Bianchi’s post: “If I were a new OEM, I would reject this provision and demand to earn my spot. »
Advertisement
This met the clearly expressed objectives of this interim rule. Mike Forde explained: “It’s so that they have a little cushion and a safety net later this season and really have a good start to 2026 and a return to NASCAR. The second part is to attract future manufacturers so that manufacturers can come into the series and know that they will have a barrier to entry that is not as high and difficult to overcome.”
And like Dale Earnhardt Jr., fans aren’t exactly on the same page with this rule either.
The NASCAR community is perplexed
Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson hasn’t exactly been on fire since his return to NASCAR. However, even if he does not qualify for the Daytona 500, the Open Exemption rule will nevertheless allow him to gain a place, even if it means expanding the field to 40 entrants. So one fan deduced that the Provisional OEM is the same: “If I understand correctly, this is essentially an OEM version of the Provisional OEM that the 84 uses at Daytona for the 500 but which still delivers points?”
Advertisement
Others expressed their disapproval more openly. Back when Toyota debuted in 2007, several of its drivers missed races because they were new to NASCAR. So, one fan wrote: “Toyota and Dodge didn’t get that amount back when they joined. Doesn’t seem fair.” Someone else also pointed out how unfair this rule is. Natural phenomenon or whims of Mother Nature aside, this rule makes no sense. They wrote: “Should only be in place in case of rain canceling qualifying. This seems… wrong.”
While NASCAR has eased Ram’s struggles, the journey ahead looks bleak. Charting a rosy path does not allow teams or drivers to grow and learn from their mistakes. This is what one fan talked about, agreeing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “Soon we won’t even be racing.” Another fan was downright confused as to why the sanctioning body is going this route. “What
I don’t understand this,” they wrote.
Advertisement
Someone else lamented missing an opportunity to take advantage of this rule change. Given the recent atmosphere of positive changes like the championship format and permanent charters, they missed the signal. “I should have bet @kalshi that NASCAR would make unnecessary rules. That would have been a solid bet.”
Clearly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and fans are very skeptical of NASCAR’s OEM rule. We can only wait and see what happens.
The position Dale Earnhardt Jr. breaks character as NASCAR’s controversial OEM rule sparks fan fury appeared first on EssentiallySport.
