When the stakes are high, and the chips are down, racing is anything but fun. Particularly in NASCAR, where a stock car is being driven at 180 miles per hour, while drivers navigate through the challenges on-track, weather conditions, race strategies, and the pressure to perform. For many drivers, the result becomes more important than the enjoyment that comes with racing, and every once in a while, they need a reminder about why they fell in love with the sport to begin with.
Despite eight playoff qualifications in the Cup Series and two Xfinity Series championships in his illustrious career, Dale Earnhardt Jr has expressed the lack of enjoyment he experienced racing in NASCAR. This is why the 49-year-old has begun participating in the Late Model Stock racing, to reignite his love for living in the fast lane.
Dale Earnhardt Jr reflects on the stress of racing in NASCAR
Going back to his roots in a series that he first began racing as a teenager, Dale Earnhardt Jr recently participated in the Hampton Heat 200 Late Model race at Virginia’s Langley Speedway, finishing in a respectable 5th place. Showing glimpses of what made him a NASCAR great, Dale Jr gained six places in the final top laps of the race, showing great patience and resilience to secure a top-five result. While the 49-year-old lacked the speed to compete against the race leaders, his race result, particularly after finishing 11th was an impressive achievement.
Reflecting on his NASCAR days throughout his almost two-decade-long career, Dale Earnhardt Jr said, “I didn’t enjoy the moment. And it’s hard. You can’t enjoy it. You can’t. You can’t afford to. That’s why I go back and do what I’m doing. When I talked to Josh Berry, and he’s going up through the Xfinity and got this opportunity at Cup, I said, ‘Hey man. All this is great. You’ve made it. Right? But I’ma promise you, you’ll never look back on that late-model stuff that you did and you will always personally say, you might not publicly announce it, or admit it, but that is probably the most fun you’re ever gonna have in your whole racing career.”