Dale Earnhardt Jr. Exposes the Real Reason Why Current NASCAR Drivers Retire Early

In the past, watching drivers race past their 50’s wasn’t a surprise as many of the big names raced in the sport as long as they physically can. Even racing to the late 40’s is something only a handful of drivers in the current generation is planning to do. Dale Earnhardt Jr., who despite retiring from full-time racing almost a decade ago still races part-time, might have an idea why it’s happening.  

The Hall of Famer in the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, tried to explain why he thinks the big names of the sport such as Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and William Byron wont race past 40. Dale Earnhardt Jr. started with giving the example of the No:5 Chevy driver Larson, who he thinks will quit NASCAR for more dirt racing ventures.

Larson might go run dirt. Just say, ‘That was great. 20 years in the Cup Series. Awesome. I’m out.’ Chase Elliot, Blaney, Byron, why do we feel like that they won’t race till they’re 45 or 50 years old?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

The major reason behind the change in thought process is the fact that with 38 races, NASCAR has one of the longest and most demanding schedules of any championship in the world. This forces the drivers to miss key moments of their life, especially with family and kids. There will come a moment for drivers like Joey Logano that will make him realize it’s not worth it to miss out on more.

I just think it’s the demand of the season. How long are they? You’re missing key moments. You miss a lot if you have kids, right? Like, Joey’s missing tons of moments now. At some point, he’s going to go, ‘All right, I’m not missing this stuff.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

The two times Xfinity Series champion shared his thoughts on the challenges he faced during his racing career, working around the busy schedule. He admitted that he missed out on lot of important moments of his daughter’s life, in his racing days and it is something like every good father’s he regrets.

I’ve missed all of these years, and now the kids are older.’ They’re doing things in school, and different things are going on in their lives that he wants to be a witness to.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. might not hang up the wheels anytime soon

The Hall of Famer retired from the NASCAR Cup Series in the 2017 Cup season, after more than a decade of impressive stints with Hendrick Motorsports. But that hasn’t stopped him from making part-time appearance in the lower divisions.

Since then, he has made at least one Xfinity Series start with JR Motorsports, the team he co-owns, every year since his retirement. He was able to produce some strong runs, proving he still has what it takes to thrive. The veteran also made some stars in the CARS Tour, the series he co-owns.

Outside of racing, the HOF has a busy schedule as well, as every week he has to work on making sure JRM fields strong cars alongside his sister. He also has the production company Dirty Mo Media and his own podcast Dale Jr. Download to focus as well.    

Amidst all this he is also finding more time to spend with his children, in a way compensate for the years he missed while racing. At the same time, he is also giving back to the sport, with his team as well other investments into the sport.

Also Read: NASCAR Makes Fresh ‘Derailing Testimony’ Accusation Against 23XI-FRM After Falling on Their Trap

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