Getty Images
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. doing some race analyst for Prime Video.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. may have stepped out of the Cup Series years ago, but his influence on the sport has never wavered.
In an interview with Jeff Gluck of The New York Times’ The Athletic, Earnhardt opened up about his racing past, his complicated role as both critic and ambassador, and what keeps his fire for competition alive.
“If NASCAR failed, or if NASCAR was to diminish, all the things that I ever accomplished, or more importantly, that my dad accomplished, are less valuable, less important,” Earnhardt told Gluck. “I want NASCAR to succeed and be the greatest thing ever.”
That kind of reverence for the sport defines Earnhardt’s post-racing career. Now a broadcaster, team owner, and podcaster, he’s managed to remain one of the most authentic voices in motorsports, unafraid to challenge NASCAR’s direction but still deeply protective of its legacy.
Walking the Line Between Critic and Loyalist
Earnhardt admitted he struggles with when to speak out and when to hold back. His candid takes often make headlines, but he knows they come with weight.
“When they say, ‘Man, all people hear about is what we’re doing wrong,’ I absolutely understand where they’re coming from,” he said. “There are absolutely some things I’ve said in the past that I shouldn’t have said that have turned somebody away.”
It’s a rare self-check from a man once seen as the people’s champion, someone whose every word could sway public sentiment. Earnhardt’s ownership of the CARS Tour, a regional stock car series, has also given him a new appreciation for NASCAR’s balancing act between tradition and innovation.
“Since I bought the CARS Tour, I’ve gotten a really unique perspective on NASCAR’s position,” he told Gluck. “The podcast has been helpful with this: I’ve gotten better at understanding how to phrase something and how to get my point across without dragging the sport down.”
That honesty shows maturity. Earnhardt knows NASCAR’s critics can either build it up or tear it down, and he’s determined to do more of the former.
Racing on His Own Terms
Even in semi-retirement, Earnhardt isn’t done competing. He still jumps behind the wheel of Late Model cars, though he admits that could end suddenly.
“I think one day I’ll just wake up and go, ‘You know what? I think that was it. I think that was the last one,’” he said. “It’s been like a faucet I’ve been slowly turning off.”
That imagery perfectly captures a driver who’s easing into the next chapter without losing the spirit that made him beloved.
The Future of NASCAR, According to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt believes the sport’s next big leap won’t come from technology or rules but from personalities.
“We need some rock stars,” he told Gluck. “It’s all about having some driver come in here and captivate the hell out of us and make people who aren’t watching go, ‘Who the hell is that?’”
It’s the kind of insight that shows why he remains NASCAR’s conscience, a man who both critiques and cherishes the sport in equal measure. As Dale Earnhardt himself put it best:
“Sometimes I wake up one morning and think I need to be less of a talking head, but then there are days you get up and you’re like, ‘I want this to be better.’”
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
More Heavy on NASCAR
Loading more stories