Dale Jr. Criticizes NASCAR for Not Honoring the Pope’s Passing — Calls It “Deeply Disrespectful”
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has never been afraid to speak his mind — and this time, his voice is echoing far beyond the track.
Following the recent passing of His Holiness the Pope, tributes poured in from around the world. Heads of state, athletes, and millions of people from all walks of life paused to honor one of the most influential spiritual leaders in modern history. But one silence was particularly noticeable — the absence of any acknowledgment from NASCAR during last weekend’s major race.
Dale Jr., watching the event and the buildup to the green flag, was stunned that no mention was made of the Pope’s death. “I waited for it,” he said in a heartfelt social media post. “No tribute. No moment of silence. Not even a graphic on the screen. That’s not just disappointing — it’s insulting.”
The Hall of Famer, known for his deep respect for tradition and humanity, explained that such moments transcend sport. “I’m not asking for politics or sermons. I’m asking for basic respect,” he said. “Whether you’re Catholic or not, the Pope was a global figure of peace, service, and hope. NASCAR missed an important moment to show compassion.”
Earnhardt Jr. said he had even reached out to officials ahead of the race, urging them to hold a one-minute moment of silence before the start — a simple gesture he believed fans and teams would embrace. But no action was taken.
His post quickly went viral, sparking intense debate across the NASCAR community. While some defended the organization’s right to remain neutral, many agreed with Dale Jr.’s sentiment.
“Dale is right,” one longtime fan tweeted. “This isn’t about religion. It’s about respect.”
Another fan added, “We honor military heroes, victims of tragedy, and legends of the sport — why not a world leader who just passed away?”
As for Dale Jr., he says his words come from a place of love — both for NASCAR and for humanity. “We race fast. We live loud. But sometimes, it’s in the quietest moments that we show who we really are.”
Whether NASCAR responds or not, one thing is clear: Dale Earnhardt Jr. reminded the world that a minute of silence can speak volumes.
