WATCH: “Had me f***ing shaking, buddy!” Dale Earnhardt Jr. confronts JJ Yeley as the veteran almost ruined JRM’s Cup debut
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a wholesome conversation with JJ Yeley after the Daytona 500 duel one.
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JJ Yeley and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
The 2025 Daytona Speedweeks marked the NASCAR Cup Series debut of Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports. With the support from Hendrick Motorsports, JRM fielded the No:40 Chevy with reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier as their driver. They were expecting to make the main race in the qualifying itself, but thing didn’t go as planned.
Justin Allgaier failed to match the pace of ex-champion Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. in the qualifying session, putting him a tough spot going into Duel 1. But he had luck on his side as the No:40 Chevy was able to survive the chaos and make it into the starting line-up. But his rival open car racer JJ Yeley gave him a run for his money at the end.
The veteran racer was close to ruining JRM’s Cup debut dreams, but Allgaier was able to hold his ground at the end. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was impressed by the fight and during the post-race interview, he approached Yeley to share his feelings, while the later was talking about his disappointment.
Disappointment. What else can you ask for? You’re close, and then it was just a few laps to go…
JJ Yeley told Bob Pockrass.
Had me f***ing shaking, buddy… Hell of a job. Good effort, man.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. intervened.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. stops to talk to JJ Yeley for a moment after Justin Allgaier held off Yeley to make the Daytona 500 field. pic.twitter.com/UMQnvZ9zQA
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2025
Yeley, after receiving a firm handshake from Dale Jr. finished his interview and pointed out that it was close at the end of the race. Along with a car that wasn’t on the level of his rivals, to make the final move.
I didn’t have quite the car that the 40 and the 56 did. I just couldn’t make things happen.
JJ Yeley said.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains what makes Daytona 500 special for him
The Great American race is a special race for Junior. He grew up watching his dad Dale Sr. going all out to win the race and later the same race took the legends’ life in a tragic accident in 2001. This actually brough him closer to the track and gave him more reasons to race hard for wins at Daytona. He eventually ended his career as one of the best at the track with two Daytona 500 wins.
I knew that it wasn’t the track that took him, and I knew that he, wherever he was, still felt the same about Daytona. So, I’ve embraced it. Him losing his life in this property brought this property closer to me. Now, that doesn’t work the same for other people and tragedy, but for me knowing I had to keep coming here, I made some peace with it and embraced the track and love it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
Further talking about it, he also highlighted how the sports’ history and it being the foundation of the sport made his close. Now having his own team at the race, Junior is over the moon and is excited about how well they can perform on Sunday.
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