Dale Earnhardt, Jr. retired from full-time racing on the finish of 2017, with 17 years and 631 races underneath his belt as a NASCAR Cup Collection driver. However even when he spends extra time podcasting and commentating than turning a wheel as of late, Junior’s driving streak continues to be going sturdy: This weekend he’ll run within the Xfinity Collection race at Bristol, Tennessee, marking his twenty-seventh consecutive 12 months beginning no less than one race in NASCAR’s second tier. And given how lengthy he is been going, it isn’t not possible this finally ends up as Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s final race.
Even all through his almost two-decade run in Cup, Earnhardt would pop into NASCAR’s equal of AAA ball to have a little bit enjoyable. He tends to select races at his favourite tracks; Lately, that is meant driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet he co-owns at Darlington, Richmond, Homestead, Martinsville, and Bristol. (He has some new footwear to fill — teen sensation Connor Zilisch drove the identical No. 88 to victory in his debut in final weekend’s Xfinity race at Watkins Glen.)
What we have not seen is NASCAR’s 15-time Most Fashionable Driver win any of these latest begins, regardless of a number of spectacular runs. His final Cup victory got here in 2015, and his most up-to-date win in an Xfinity automotive was the next 12 months. Certain, Earnhardt Jr.’s drop-ins are for enjoyable, however there is no query the 49-year-old would like to seize the checkered flag once more.
Final 12 months at Bristol, he almost did.
After beginning fifteenth, he moved by the sphere, buying and selling paint with Daniel Hemric and others. By Lap 174 of 300, he was within the lead. Junior finally misplaced management of the race, however remained firmly within the top-five — till he abruptly pulled off observe, smoke filling the cockpit. His race was carried out, simply 30 laps in need of the end, regardless of having lead 47 laps.
The rationale why? His pants had been on hearth.
Dale Earnhardt Jr, JR Motorsports, Hellmann’s Chevrolet Camaro and Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports, BRANDT Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
“We bought a gap in my pants,” Earnhardt, Jr. defined afterwards, showcasing the burn marks on his firesuit round his proper ankle. “In some way or one other, the shifter tunnel column caught on hearth. I noticed some smoke within the automotive, and I smelled it, and I was like, ‘hopefully that is not me.’ However it was. Clearly, my uniform was burning up. I used to be like, ‘I cannot preserve going. I bought to cease.’ And normally while you cease, the fireplace will get larger.”
Setting apart the undesirable flambé, it proved that Earnhardt —who’s gained on the iconic half-mile Bristol brief observe in each the Cup and Xfinity Collection earlier than — nonetheless has the products to take the checkered flag. Friday’s Bristol race might be his 147th Xfinity Collection begin, with an opportunity to seize his twenty fifth profession win in NASCAR’s center sequence. (That might be a pleasant spherical quantity to pair with the hall-of-famer’s 26 Cup wins and two driver titles — 1998 and 1999 — within the NASCAR Xfinity Collection.)
However Junior’s additionally turning 50 in October. How for much longer can followers count on to see him buying and selling paint?
Earlier this month on the Dale Jr. Obtain, he mentioned that this week’s race at Bristol may very well be his final within the Xfinity Collection, although he nonetheless intends to run his late mannequin. He mentioned it would “in all probability” be his last Xfinity begin and that he was “fairly certain” about that, however would not totally decide to it. Whether or not it’s his final race or not, we all know Earnhardt Jr. will placed on a great present. (Simply possibly do not let the youngsters hear his uncooked radio feed.)
Qualifying for Bristol begins at 2 p.m. ET on Friday; inexperienced flag drops simply after 7:30 p.m. ET. All protection is on The CW.
