Should Dale Earnhardt Jr. feel inferior to Chase Elliott, or is he being overly critical of himself?
Since retiring from the Cup Series in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has participated in only a few NASCAR races. This weekend, he will return to the Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, which is anticipated to be his final NASCAR race, adding significance to the event.
Fans have high expectations as they look forward to seeing their favorite driver back on track. However, racing in NASCAR is no easy feat, and even Dale Jr. feels anxious and nervous. What strategy will he employ while driving the #88 JRM car at Bristol this weekend?
Dale Jr. plans to adopt Chase Elliott’s method for managing high-pressure situations.
His nerves are understandable, especially considering how his last race at Thunder Valley concluded. In the final laps, electrical problems led to a fire in his cockpit, forcing him to retire in 30th place.
Now, with the added pressure of possibly facing his last NASCAR race, how does Dale Earnhardt Jr. handle these expectations? He looks to Chase Elliott’s relaxed perspective on such moments as opportunities. This mindset was crucial for Elliott when he won the Cup Series championship in 2020.
‘Some drivers see this as more pressure, while others see it as an opportunity. Chase Elliott was at Phoenix for his first finals, and I thought, I’d be so nervous. I wonder how they manage that pressure, and he said, ‘Pressure, man, this is an opportunity,” Dale Jr. shared on the DJD segment, Ask Jr.
He also outlined his expectations for his crew during the Bristol race. “I want to have fun, no matter who I’m racing. I don’t want to be pushed around or get pi–ed off. There are certain goals I want to achieve, and at the end of the night, I want to feel satisfied with what we accomplished.”
Teams often debate whether to adjust their race setup or stick with a proven approach. For Dale Earnhardt Jr., his #88 JRM Chevy was likely the top contender at Bristol last year. Without the unexpected fire, he could have secured his first Xfinity Series victory since 2016 at Martinsville.
Now, with a chance at redemption, the 49-year-old driver is relying on last year’s setup. “We’re bringing back the same car as last year. It’s completely rebuilt. I hope it performs as well. See you in a week,” he updated fans via his X account.
Expectations are high for the #88 JRM team this weekend at Bristol, possibly marking Dale Jr.’s final NASCAR race. While it may seem like he’s retiring for good, he will still participate in late-model races, which he has been doing more frequently since becoming co-owner of the z-MAX CARS Tour.
