Dale Earnhardt Jr. Boldly Shuts Down Calls for Removal of Xfinity Series’ Cup Racer Restriction Policy

Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on calls to make changes to Xfinity Series’ Cup driver racing policy.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Boldly Shuts Down Calls for Removal of Xfinity Series’ Cup Racer Restriction Policy

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR Xfinity Series over the years has helped the teams to develop future champions and superstars of the sport over the years. One key factor in this journey was the opportunity to face Cup drivers made selective appearance, with some restrictions. Hall of Famer and second tier team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants it remain the same amidst calls for return to old days.

Till 2009, the Cup driver was allowed to race in the second tier and compete for championship, which was almost abused by the legends of the sport. This made NASCAR restrict their presence, but it wasn’t enough as drivers like Cup Serie champions Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski continued to make appearance, collecting wins.

NASCAR was forced to limit Cup veterans, with more than three years of experience to just five races. The worst example of the Cup driver domination in the second tier is 2017 season, where the regular driver won just five of 19 races. So, when conversation regarding Cup drivers return came up online, JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped in and shared his thoughts.

The Hall of Famer, who is a two times Xfinity Series champion pointed out that, that having the Cup drivers regular made the Xfinity teams and driver undervalues, as the lack of wins made it hard for them to land sponsors. The restriction has made the current situation better, but it’s not perfect and needs certain changes.

Since the limits have been placed on cup drivers competing, our cars have won more races and our sponsors have enjoyed that success. There was a time when the regular owners/teams of the series felt undervalued. I’m not saying the current situation is perfect, but it’s better.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. admits he is bored as a Xfinity Series team owner

In the latest episode of his Dale Jr. podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on his team JRM’s 2025 season and how it got a little boring for him. He admitted that seeing his driver Conor Zilisch and Justin Allgaier, getting involved in incidents sucks and as a team owner he hates to see it happening.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jim France
Jim France and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via dailydownforce.com)

Xfinity race was kind of boring for the JR guys. We had a shot at winning it. We kind of stepped on our you know what. This is the su**y part about being an owner is your cars running into each other. Connor went down in the corner three-wide, missed the bottom, got loose…and Allgaier got spun out. It feels like Allgaier gets run over by his teammates at least once or twice a year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

Further talking about the point, Dale Jr. asserted that this frustration is part of his role as a Xfinity Series team owner. They are working with young drivers and making mistakes is part of the learning process. He understands all youngster would race aggressively and will often get themselves in trouble.

This is just the circumstances that happen when you got these young kids coming up through the program. It’s just like the Cars Tour. They are going to make mistakes, they are going to race hard, they are going to do things, they are going to get it wrong every now and then.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. asserted.

The comments from Junior shows how frustrating and demanding the life as a NASCAR team owner is, even if you know the sport inside out like the veteran does. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout JRM in the 2025 season, with two drivers upfront competing each other’s for the title.

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