Jeb Burton’s father Ward recalls how Dale Earnhardt could “change something with a phone call” to Bill France Jr. in NASCAR 

NASCAR Xfinity driver Jeb Burton's father, Ward, has spoken about Dale Earnhardt’s sway with the late Bill France Jr., who was the chairman and CEO of NASCAR’s board of directors. He explained how Earnhardt could change policy or decisions with a single phone call.

Ward Burton raced in the Cup Series for more than a decade. He collected five wins, including the 2002 Daytona 500, between 1994 and 2007. During the 30th episode of the Crossroads podcast with co-host Jeb, the veteran driver commented on whether he ever got death threats after wrecking the late NASCAR legend. He said:

"Oh yeah. It's like a damn cult. But I should have wrecked him more because I still owed him. And who the hell out there didn't?"

Jeb Burton mentioned next that the whole sport would be different if Dale Earnhardt were still here. In response, Ward mentioned the behind-the-scenes influence of Earnhardt and recalled a conversation with former NASCAR President Mike Helton.

"Probably so. He's the only one that could call Mr. France Jr and they would change something with the phone call. I can remember Mike Helton used to say, 'If the phone rang Monday morning before 7am, it was Dale.' And if something went on that Dale didn't like, Mike was expecting it," Ward said.

Meanwhile, NASCAR is set to face trial in a federal case involving its charter system this December. 23XI Racing (co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin) and Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against the sanctioning body late last year, arguing that the charter system limits competition and binds teams unfairly.

NASCAR is also under scrutiny for its current playoff format, with fans, drivers, and other personalities calling for a return to the 36-race points format.

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Dale Earnhardt had 'NASCAR's ears' like no one else, says Mark Martin

Dale Earnhardt Sr. built a fierce image and a loyal fan base that shaped fan attitudes and race-day decisions. Team managers and officials weighed his views.

Former NASCAR driver Mark Martin also referenced Earnhardt's influence in the sport during a 2023 interview with Kenny Wallace. Martin had criticized the Next Gen car and the current playoff format for several years without any impact.

"It matters to fans. It doesn't matter to the important people. It doesn't matter that much to NASCAR. I've never had NASCAR's ear like Dale Sr. had," Martin said.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. passed away at the age of 49 in the early 2000s. He had collected 76 NASCAR career wins and 24 exhibition race wins. After his fatal crash at the Daytona 500, NASCAR created a formal research and development center. The sport mandated new safety devices like the HANS (Head and Neck Support) device and adopted SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at tracks.

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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar