Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently shared insights into his preparation for the Xfinity race at Bristol, particularly focusing on his simulator work. He recounted a surprising moment when he saw Austin Dillon around 6:00 pm, which led him to reflect on Dillon’s rigorous training routine. Dillon spends significant time in the simulator every Monday and Tuesday, commuting from his home in Welcome, North Carolina, to Charlotte. This level of commitment struck Earnhardt Jr. as particularly intense, especially given Dillon’s additional responsibilities, such as attending team meetings after races. Earnhardt Jr. remarked, “If I had to be a race car driver today, I would be miserable. The workload has expanded far beyond what it used to be. In the past, staying in reasonably good shape and having a few discussions with the crew chief was enough to feel prepared. Now, the demands are so extensive that I find myself feeling too lazy to keep up.”
When a fan inquired about his own use of the simulator, Earnhardt Jr. revealed that he spent just an hour preparing for the Bristol race. He described his experience with the simulator as occasionally disorienting. “The sim makes me feel a bit nauseous sometimes,” Earnhardt said. “The visuals can vary each time you use it. Sometimes everything seems fine, but other times, something feels off and makes me feel sick.” He shared a particularly unsettling experience where he felt ill after a test session when the car unexpectedly started sliding down the track after he had finished testing, describing it as “a weird thing.”
In a 2018 interview with Men’s Journal, Earnhardt Jr. provided details about his physical preparation for racing. He mentioned that he engages in weightlifting, but mostly for enjoyment and general fitness rather than specific race preparation. He stressed the importance of cardiovascular endurance, recommending activities like running, biking, and swimming. “Hydration is crucial,” he said. “During a race, the car can get extremely hot, reaching temperatures between 120 and 130 degrees. This intense heat can cause you to lose about eight pounds of water weight per race. I make sure to drink plenty of water and often mix it with orange Gatorade to stay hydrated.”
Regarding mental preparation, Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that racecar driving requires a high level of mental sharpness and instinct. He explained that the fast speeds, the inherent dangers, and the unpredictable nature of racing demand a driver’s full attention and focus. “A driver needs to be completely plugged in from the moment they hit the gas pedal,” he noted, highlighting how the skillset involved becomes almost instinctual due to the high stakes and constant challenges faced on the track.
