Legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is preparing for what could be his final race, sparking a mix of excitement and anxiety for both his fans and team. Despite retiring from full-time racing in 2017, Earnhardt Jr. has remained deeply involved in the sport, working as a broadcaster, podcaster, and co-owner of JR Motorsports. His annual participation in the Xfinity Series has kept him connected to the racing world, but the upcoming 2024 Bristol race might mark the end of his storied driving career, intensifying the pressure surrounding the event.
In a candid discussion on his podcast “DJD,” Earnhardt Jr. spoke about the nerves he’s feeling as the race approaches.
“We’re bringing back the same car as last year. Totally stripped and rebuilt. Hope it handles as well,” Earnhardt Jr. revealed.
The car he referenced came close to earning him a victory in his last Bristol appearance before a cockpit fire ended his race. It had also earned a top-five finish at Miami Homestead, showing the car’s potential when running smoothly.
The preparations for this race have been meticulous, with crew chief Andrew Overstreet leading the charge. While the plan was initially to keep the car unchanged, Overstreet hinted at slight modifications to fine-tune the #88 JRM Chevy for Bristol.
“Me and Dale talked a lot back and forth about getting ready for this weekend. We had our simulator time Monday night. He knows what to expect from the car at Bristol and how to pace himself. He was getting just as fast as the other guys, but focusing on what’s key at Bristol,” Overstreet explained.
Despite the tweaks, Earnhardt Jr. is wary of making too many changes. He prefers to stick with what worked for him last year, hoping not to disrupt the car’s successful formula.
“We made some changes to get the car better,” Overstreet said. “At the end of the day, Dale told me, ‘If we can’t change it in practice, I don’t want it messing me up. I get one shot a year.'”
He added, “The car was awesome last year; let’s not mess it up and just go race.”
As the 2024 Bristol race draws near, there’s an undeniable sense of anticipation. The race could be Earnhardt Jr.’s farewell to NASCAR, making it an emotional moment for his fans and the broader racing community.
“I get nervous; I can’t help it,” Earnhardt Jr. admitted. “Last year, I was freaking out. We were one of the two cars that could miss the race (in qualifying), but this year we’re locked in with points. I told the guys, without that pressure, I’m probably going to qualify worse.”
With the race looming, the nerves are high, but so is the excitement. Whether or not it turns out to be Earnhardt Jr.’s final race, fans will be watching closely as one of NASCAR’s most beloved figures prepares to hit the track once more.
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