NASCAR drivers' persona appeals to fans, not sponsors, expert says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a heart-to-heart discussion with his fans through his weekly podcast that aired after his retirement announcement.

"There were two choices,” Earnhardt said. “Basically, the sport either retires you, or you retire on your own and I came close to having the sport retire me."

It came as a surprise to many, but not former president of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Humpy Wheeler.

"You've been through that grind all these years, it starts getting to you," Wheeler said Wednesday.

Earnhardt’s retirement means NASCAR not only loses a star driver, it loses a fan favorite.

"We don't have a Muhammad Ali now, or Joe Namath. We've got to have one," Wheeler said.

Wheeler believes sponsors, the lifeblood of NASCAR and how drivers and teams get paid, are actually hurting the sport.

Drivers, along with their colorful race cars, represent companies and corporations.

"Sponsors keep the lid on these drivers so tight, they de-personalize them," Wheeler said.

Some would say Earnhardt has been bigger than any sponsor.

"He's not the boy next door, he's the boy... (on) the farm next door," Wheeler said. “He just had a magnetism about him that drew fans toward him, particularly the old race fans."

Earnhardt said he feels attached to his fans.

"You're not just a car and a driver,” he said during the podcast. “They really care about the person."

The last race for Earnhardt on his home track, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, if he chooses to race, is the Bank of America 500 in October.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group