NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Wurth 400 May 1, 2023 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch 8 leads on a restart during the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxOHarenx 20230501_jel_bm2_055
The Dover Speedway didn’t disappoint. A race that saw it all concluded with Martin Truex Jr driving to victory lane and ending a winless streak of 54 races. But amidst the celebrations of another great race day, the NASCAR fanbase stands divided again. Having had his experiences at the iconic speedway, Hendrick Motorsports legend Steve Letarte speaks about the criticism.
Letarte did not shy away from shutting down the critics. Being around the pits with Hendrick Motorsports, he is no stranger to the circumstances Dover presents and the challenges of ‘The Monster Mile.’
Hendrick Motorsports Legend Loves A Race That Has A Bit Of Everything
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Steve appeared as Nate Ryan’s guest on the NASCAR on NBC podcast. Speaking of his impression of the Dover race, he said, “I thought that was great Dover race. I like a heavyweight, toe-to-toe, figure-it-out fight. And that is what Dover was. It had crashes early, it had long green-flag runs, it was old school Dover and we didn’t need 500 laps of it”
Further addressing the unrest in the fanbase around the Monster Mile, he added, “I’m sorry you don’t have to like them all. Don’t like it, don’t watch it. Don’t come. It’s okay that everything isn’t right for everyone.”
USA Today via Reuters May 16, 2021; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) leads the field on a restart during the Drydene 400 at Dover International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
He also makes his definition of a great race pretty clear amidst all the undue criticism, saying “I like variety, I don’t love the dirt. But I’m okay we have a race. What I saw at Dover was that. I think that was ‘quintessential’ Dover.”
Quite evidently, Stevie loves a nail-biting race day.
“I Think This is The Challenge of Dover”- Letarte On The Scrutiny of NASCAR and Goodyear
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Among a host of topics, Letarte presents his take on the questions on the authorities. “It’s the monster. It’s not a marketing campaign, it’s the damn monster, you better show up. What I love is so I’m not a big fan when we see tire failures that abruptly end in accidents.”
“I think the teams and Goodyear and everybody who has a hand in that. What we saw here was a ‘durability issue’ but the issue I believe is the common nature of how teams are setting up their cars. You know I can’t put this on NASCAR or Goodyear. I think this is the challenge of Dover “
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
With Dover certainly proving to be a test of durability, teams are having to tweak their arsenals to make the best out of it. Letarte does not forget to acknowledge the efforts of Martin Truex Jr. He says the race being a typical day at Dover, is one of the reasons why Truex Jr is the victor of the race.
Watch This Story: Hendrick Motorsports legend celebrates Dale Earnhardt Jr Joining the ranks of Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson: “This is purely what you did behind the wheel”