Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped away from full-time racing at the end of the 2017 season, signaling the end of an era. Many felt that with his retirement, he left a significant part of his racing career behind. However, even in retirement, Earnhardt Jr. remained a familiar face in the sport, taking on roles as a broadcaster, podcaster, and co-owner of JR Motorsports. He also continued to make occasional appearances in the Xfinity Series, much to the delight of his loyal fanbase.
Now, as the 2024 Bristol race approaches, there is speculation that this could be Earnhardt Jr.’s final NASCAR event. This possibility has created a mix of excitement and nerves within JR Motorsports. During a recent episode of his podcast, “The Dale Jr. Download,” Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on preparing for the race, revealing that he feels a sense of pressure heading into the weekend. He and his team, including the #88 crew, initially decided to keep things simple, opting to use the same car they ran last year. “We’re bringing back the same car as last year. It’s been completely stripped and rebuilt. I just hope it handles as well,” he said.
However, crew chief Andrew Overstreet recently suggested that they will be making some adjustments to the car’s setup for the upcoming race. While Earnhardt Jr. is open to testing these changes, he is clear that if the tweaks don’t work out, he won’t hesitate to revert to the original setup. “I’m not going to take any chances if the changes don’t work in our favor,” he explained.
Earnhardt Jr.’s previous race at Bristol in 2023 was full of promise. He was on track for his first Xfinity Series win since 2016 and ran comfortably in the top five positions. But with just 30 laps remaining, an unexpected fire inside the cockpit forced him to retire early, putting an abrupt end to what could have been a triumphant race. Following this setback, he raced with the same car setup at Miami Homestead and secured a top-five finish, which bolstered his confidence heading into what may be his last race at Bristol.
Despite his team’s efforts to tweak the car for the upcoming race, Earnhardt Jr. feels prepared and optimistic. Overstreet confirmed that the team has been working closely with him in the lead-up to the weekend, noting that they’ve even spent time in the simulator to fine-tune his approach. “We’ve talked a lot about getting ready for this weekend. He’s been pacing himself and learning what he needs to do at Bristol to get the best result possible,” Overstreet said. He added that if the new setup doesn’t perform well during practice, they won’t hesitate to revert to the original configuration.
Although Earnhardt Jr. is a seasoned veteran with 146 Xfinity Series races under his belt, he admits he’s feeling the pressure. The stakes are high, especially since this race could mark his final NASCAR appearance. While he has hopes for a strong finish, he remains realistic about his chances. “I get nervous; I can’t help it,” he admitted. Reflecting on last year’s race, he recalled how close he came to missing the main event during qualifying. This year, though, he enters with less pressure, as he’s already locked in due to his points standing. “Without that pressure, I’m probably going to qualify worse,” he joked.
As far as his expectations for the race go, Earnhardt Jr. is aiming for a solid top-five finish. “If I run top-five like last year and get to the end with a chance to win or at least a great result, I’ll be ecstatic,” he said. More than anything, he wants to enjoy the experience. “I just want to look back at the race and feel good about it, regardless of the outcome.”
The anticipation is building for what could be Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final race at Bristol Motor Speedway. His fans are eager to see how he performs, and whether he’ll consider returning to NASCAR in 2025 remains a question that lingers. For now, though, all eyes are on Bristol as Earnhardt Jr. prepares for what might be the last time he suits up for a NASCAR event.
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