Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently gave insight into his future plans in NASCAR, confirming that he will not participate in the 2025 Xfinity Series. However, during an interview before his race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Earnhardt left fans with hope by not entirely ruling out a return to the track in the future.
The NASCAR legend retired from full-time Cup Series racing in 2017 but has made occasional appearances in the Xfinity Series, driving the #88 Chevy Camaro for JR Motorsports, the team he owns. His most recent race was the Food City 300 at Bristol, though before that, he competed in the 2023 Contender Boats 300 at Homestead. Now, with his plans to sit out the entire 2025 season, fans are left to wonder when, or if, they’ll see Earnhardt back behind the wheel.
During the interview, Earnhardt spoke candidly about his decision to step away next season. “I don’t have a requirement to run next year, so I may just not do that,” Earnhardt said. “I’ll miss it terribly and regret that I didn’t race, and probably in 2026, I can go somewhere and compete in the Xfinity Series again.”
While some might be disappointed by his absence next year, Earnhardt explained the reasoning behind his decision. His participation in recent races has been closely tied to sponsorship agreements that benefit JR Motorsports. “I have to remind fans and people that follow us that I run this race and have run this race over the last several years because of the big benefit that it is to JR Motorsports,” he said. He pointed out that his longtime partnership with sponsors like Hellmann’s and Unilever, which also sponsor Justin Allgaier’s car, has been crucial for filling out the team’s schedule.
Although Earnhardt is stepping away in 2025, he hinted that his race at Bristol might not be his last. He performed well at the Food City 300, finishing seventh after starting in the 13th position. He even led the field for one lap and clocked a best time of 16.075 seconds with a top speed of 119.365 mph. After the race, Earnhardt was asked about the possibility of racing again in the future. He responded, “You told the guys on the radio, we’ll do this again in a few years. So this might not be the last one?”
Earnhardt acknowledged the uncertainty, explaining that his relationship with Hellmann’s and Unilever has allowed him to continue racing in recent years, but their current plans don’t require him to race in 2025. “They said, hey, you know we’re gonna do the races. Don’t need you to run. I said, Man, I just might sit out intentionally.”
As for the immediate future, Earnhardt indicated that his primary focus will shift to his broadcasting work, which has become a central part of his post-racing career. He acknowledged that he would miss racing next season but seemed optimistic about returning in 2026.
While fans won’t see him on the track next year, it’s clear that Earnhardt isn’t entirely done with racing. His passion for the sport remains strong, and his potential return in 2026 leaves the door open for more memorable moments in the future.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals Exactly Why He Won’t Race In NASCAR In 2025
