Dale Earnhardt Jr., a household name in the world of NASCAR, is gearing up for what could be his final race in the series, stoking a mix of excitement and anxiety within his team and himself.
Despite retiring from full-time racing in 2017, Earnhardt Jr. has maintained close ties with the sport through his roles as a broadcaster, podcaster, and co-owner of JR Motorsports. Each year he participates in the Xfinity Series, a gesture aimed at engaging his loyal fan base. However, the upcoming 2024 Bristol race may mark the end of his storied racing career, amplifying the pressure on Earnhardt Jr. and his team.
On his podcast “DJD,” Earnhardt Jr. discussed his nervousness as he prepares for the Bristol race.
“We are bringing back the same car as last year. Totally stripped and rebuilt. Hope it handles as well,” he shared.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. visits SiriusXM Studios on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a racing legend, discusses nerves ahead of what could be his last NASCAR entry.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
This car, which nearly secured him a win in his previous Bristol appearance before a cockpit fire ended his race prematurely, also delivered a top-five finish at Miami Homestead.
The preparations for this race have been meticulous, guided by the experienced hand of crew chief Andrew Overstreet. Although the initial plan was to leave the car unchanged, Overstreet hinted at minor tweaks to the #88 JRM Chevy’s setup, aiming for optimal performance.
“Me and Dale talked a lot back and forth about getting ready for this weekend. And we had our simulator time Monday night. He knows what he needs to expect out of his car at Bristol and pace himself, and he was getting as fast as the other guys, but he was focusing on what you need to do here at Bristol to get good,” Overstreet revealed.
Despite the adjustments, Earnhardt Jr. remains cautious, preferring not to stray too far from what has worked well in the past.
“We made some changes to get the car better, and at the end of the day, Dale said well, if we can’t change it in practice, I don’t want it to mess me up, and I get one shot a year.
“So I know that the car was awesome last year; let’s not mess it up and let’s just go race,” Overstreet noted.
As the 2024 Bristol race looms closer, the anticipation is palpable not just for Earnhardt Jr., but also for his fans and the broader NASCAR community.
“I get nervous; I can’t help it. Last year when we went, I was freaking out. We were one of the two cars that could miss the race (in qualifying), but we’re locked in this year (points). I told the guys that without that pressure I’m probably going to qualify worse,” he admitted.
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