NASCAR\u2019s Xfinity leg has been visiting Portland since 2022. In the fourth iteration of the Pacific Office Automation 147, Connor Zilisch won a trailblazing victory. But he would not get a chance to defend it in a fifth iteration, as NASCAR has removed the track from the 2026 schedule. Among the possible reasons cited, the track\u2019s poor condition sprang up. BRK Racing owner Randy Knighton observed the lack of internet connection. This compels teams to watch the race broadcast or track car telemetry only by bringing their own generators and mobile internet hotspots. But according to Dale Earnhardt Jr., the problem lies deeper in racing.<\/p>\n
On the final two restarts of Saturday\u2019s race, the chicane maze confused a lot of drivers. Connor Zilisch\u2019s teammate pushed Austin Hill to the lead, and on the following restart, Zilisch locked up his brakes and partially took the chicane zone. In a recent episode of \u2018The Dale Jr Download\u2019, Dale Earnhardt Jr. particularly lashed out<\/a> against this area. \u201cThat little kink chicane, being the very first turn you\u2019re going to enter after a restart at any racetrack is a bad idea. It\u2019s just not a good design\u2026We got four-wide on that final restart, and the majority of the cars missed the inner curb. The majority of the top five cut Turn 2.\u201d\u00a0Hence, Dale Jr. issued his cutting verdict: \u201cI would just say, I\u2019m glad we\u2019re not going back.\u201d<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n via Imago<\/p>\n Via NASCAR<\/p>\n![\"article-image\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/portland-international-raceway-main.jpg\")
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