Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently opened up about the challenges he faced during his return to Bristol Motor Speedway. The NASCAR legend took part in the Xfinity Series race, marking his first appearance in the series this season. Unfortunately, his experience was marred by radio issues that affected his performance for nearly 120 laps.
Earnhardt Jr. retired from full-time racing in the Cup Series after the 2017 season with Hendrick Motorsports. However, he has continued to participate in at least one Xfinity race each year with JR Motorsports, the team he co-owns. His return to Bristol for the Food City 300 marked his 147th race at the Xfinity level. Despite several hurdles, including communication problems, he still managed to finish as the best-performing driver from his team, JR Motorsports.
Early in the race, Earnhardt Jr. encountered problems with his radio system, forcing him to pit on Lap 4 to try and resolve the issue. However, the pitstop didn’t solve the problem, and he was further penalized for speeding in the pit lane. In his “Dirty Mo Media” podcast, Earnhardt Jr. detailed the chaotic situation, explaining how a new helmet he received on Lap 57 failed to function properly. He recounted the confusion over the radio’s volume, saying that the radio’s placement near his seat caused his elbow to hit it, turning the volume higher. This made it difficult for him to communicate with his spotter, TJ Majors, as he feared the radio might disconnect if he tried to adjust it.
Unsure of how to resolve the situation, Earnhardt Jr. waited for a caution period to attempt to fix the radio. He described “fishing” for the radio cord, eventually retrieving it but still struggling with where to place it in the car. With no suitable spot to secure it, he eventually resorted to sticking the radio in the water bottle holder in the middle of the car.
Despite these significant distractions, Earnhardt Jr. managed to secure a seventh-place finish. His JR Motorsports teammates, Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, and Justin Allgaier, finished ninth, fifteenth, and thirtieth, respectively. Considering the circumstances, Earnhardt Jr.’s result was a testament to his skill and determination as a driver.
Looking ahead, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has indicated that he may not compete in the Xfinity Series next year. Although he has retired from full-time Cup Series racing, he has consistently returned to the Xfinity Series for at least one race every season since 2001. Over the course of his 147 starts in the series, he has earned 24 victories, 71 top-five finishes, and 96 top-ten finishes, solidifying his legacy as one of NASCAR’s most beloved drivers. However, his participation in future races may be coming to an end, as his sponsors, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Unilever, no longer require him to compete to maintain their partnership with JR Motorsports. These sponsors have also been backing Allgaier’s #7 Chevrolet, meaning that even without Earnhardt Jr. racing, the team continues to benefit from their support.
Despite not having immediate plans for future races, Earnhardt Jr. has not ruled out a potential return in the years to come. He mentioned that he might miss racing so much that he could make a comeback in 2026. For now, though, he is focused on other aspects of JR Motorsports, which may expand into the Cup Series, particularly as private equity companies show increasing interest in NASCAR teams.
While Dale Earnhardt Jr. is winding down his personal racing career, his presence in the sport through JR Motorsports continues to grow. Fans will certainly miss seeing him behind the wheel, but his legacy both on and off the track remains strong.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives an inside tour of his “afraid” situation at Bristol amid “f***ing” radio issues
