Everyone recalls their first job, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is no exception. The two-time Xfinity Series champion joined NBC Sports in 2018 right after retiring from full-time racing. He worked alongside Rick Allen, Steve Letarte, and Jeff Burton in the booth. However, all good things eventually conclude, and Dale’s contract with NBC ended in 2023, marking the close of a significant chapter in his post-racing career. With the 2025 season approaching, the 49-year-old is preparing to dive back into broadcasting, but this time he’s venturing into uncharted territory.
Stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be daunting, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will need to adjust as he embarks on his new role with Amazon Prime Video and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports. Although he is a seasoned professional, he has voiced some skepticism about this partnership ahead of the Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. His involvement in NASCAR coverage for these new broadcasters is notable; both Amazon and WBD are considered newcomers in this space, and having someone as prominent as Dale Jr. enhances their credibility with viewers. Each network will feature him in five races, with Warner Bros. Discovery broadcasting on TNT and streaming through Max, while Amazon Prime Video’s subscription will provide access to its coverage. This arrangement presents a unique challenge for Dale Jr., who must quickly adapt to the demands of broadcasting and navigate two different formats.
Reflecting on his experience at NBC Sports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. remarked during a pre-race press conference, “I really really loved working with NBC and I miss it terribly. I miss them; we had so much fun.” At NBC, he was accustomed to a consistent schedule of 20 races per season, but this time around, he won’t have that luxury. He faces the expectation of making an immediate impact when the 2025 season kicks off.
He acknowledged the challenges of working with Amazon and WBD Sports, stating, “It’ll be a quick 10-race sprint with two different partners that want to do things slightly differently.” He emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and mock runs leading up to the races to ensure that the team delivers a high-quality product from the start.
As part of NASCAR’s new media rights agreement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will contribute to Amazon Prime’s early season coverage. He is also set to play a role in a new content series for Bleacher Report, co-produced with his own Dirty Mo Media. In this series, Junior will invite guests for interviews while they ride along in the car at TNT’s five Sprint Cup Series tracks. Given TNT’s longstanding 32-year relationship with NASCAR, expectations for Dale Jr.’s contributions are high.
It’s understandable that Junior has chosen not to compete in the Xfinity Series next year, as he must manage the broadcasting commitments with two different networks. His perfectionist tendencies may require him to scale back on other activities to fully immerse himself in this new role. It will be interesting to see how this decision impacts his involvement in grassroots racing, as he has indicated a desire to continue participating in that arena in 2025.
After finishing seventh at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Dale Earnhardt Jr. likely felt a sense of accomplishment. Despite facing radio issues that hindered communication with his spotter for much of the race, he managed to secure a top-10 finish. He described the experience as almost racing blind, having to switch channels, earpieces, and even the entire helmet without losing any laps, which contributed to his final placement.
In the post-race interview, Junior expressed his joy about being back behind the wheel of his No. 88 Chevy at the short track. “I loved every lap. It was great. I mean, I got everything I wanted out of this. I’ll miss it next year, and thinking about it now, I’ll probably sign up next year for somewhere else. I’m trying really hard not to think about where I’ll run right now, but I do want to take next year off, focus on my broadcasting and make sure that’s a priority and my family too,” he stated.
The upcoming year will be pivotal for Dale Earnhardt Jr. His team, JR Motorsports, is entering a transitional phase with drivers Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones leaving, while Connor Zilisch joins as a full-time driver. With many changes on the horizon, it’s no surprise that Junior is stepping back from NASCAR events. However, with Martin Truex Jr. eager to race against him one last time, the possibility remains that Dale Jr. could reconsider and uphold his tradition of competing in an Xfinity Series race. Only time will tell if he’ll choose to continue that legacy amidst his new broadcasting commitments.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Casts Doubt on Amazon Partnership, Longs for NBC Glory Days.
