Dale Earnhardt Jr. made his anticipated return to the Xfinity Series on Friday, September 20, 2024, for his annual one-off appearance. Piloting the No. 88 NASCAR Chevy Camaro SS, Earnhardt managed to secure a respectable seventh-place finish despite dealing with several technical challenges during the first half of the race. Reflecting on his performance, he expressed that he genuinely enjoyed the experience, despite the setbacks.
Throughout the race, Earnhardt repeatedly brought his car down Pit Road due to persistent issues with his radio communication. He encountered difficulty hearing his spotter and crew chief in certain sections of the track, leading him to swap out his helmet in hopes of fixing the issue. Unfortunately, the switch didn’t resolve the problem. Adding to the chaos, Earnhardt revealed that he even lost his glasses at one point during the race. However, this didn’t impact his performance too significantly, as he managed to rally back and compete alongside the race leaders in the final stages.
In a post-race interview, Earnhardt admitted his initial concern about the mounting problems. “I was worried ’cause it was headed the wrong direction there quickly,” he said. He speculated that the radio malfunctions might be linked to similar issues he’s encountered with his Late Model race cars. Despite these frustrations, Earnhardt remained optimistic about his overall race performance. “You do your best, right… the balance of the car was really good. I’m thrilled to be out here and be competitive.”
While Dale Jr. was pleased with his ability to stay competitive, he also acknowledged the reality of racing against younger talent. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to be competitive,” he admitted. “I can come out here for another 20 years, but eventually, these young kids, they get to be so good.” Despite his competitive spirit, Earnhardt hinted that he might not race in 2025, although he hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of future races.
The race itself saw Cole Custer, driving the No. 00 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, claim victory. Custer’s win came after a hard-fought battle with Justin Allgaier, who was behind the wheel of the No. 7 NASCAR Chevy. Custer not only took home the win but also edged out Allgaier for the regular season title. Allgaier’s race took a turn for the worse after he made contact with another competitor, resulting in significant damage to his car. Things went from bad to worse when Allgaier was involved in another wreck later in the race. Despite his team’s best efforts to make repairs, Allgaier’s night was ultimately marred by misfortune, even dragging a saw out of his pit stall during one of his pit stops.
Earnhardt’s return to the Xfinity Series and the drama surrounding the race added yet another chapter to his storied career. While his future behind the wheel remains uncertain, his performance in this one-off event showcased that even with technical issues, he’s still capable of competing with NASCAR’s rising stars. However, with each passing year, the question remains—how long can he keep up with the next generation of drivers?
Dale Jr. Has A Blast In No. 88 Xfinity NASCAR Chevy At Bristol: Watch
