Dale Earnhardt Jr. Explains How “Valuable” Therapy is for Young NASCAR drivers

NASCAR is often regarded as the pinnacle of stock racing, with the Cup Series being the most difficult category for drivers to excel in. Even veteran drivers have failed to achieve coveted title wins in the sport, as it is even more difficult for young drivers who are just entering the sport. Because of this, the drivers often face self-doubt and also criticism from outside. T

o tackle this, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has talked about therapy and how important it is for young drivers of the sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a great conversation with the young Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth, who suffered from multiple ups and downs in the 2025 season.

Caruth has had a great season so far despite the occasional problems and is looking strong in his championship ambitions in the playoffs. Still, he had some moments of self-doubt and difficulties as he talked about going to therapy with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Notably, Dale Earnhardt Jr raced in NASCAR for quite a while and is no stranger to the difficulties that come with it. As such, Dale Jr. insisted that therapy was super valuable for NASCAR drivers, especially the up-and-coming young ones. The 51-year-old continued that therapy was necessary as the environment today was very complex.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained that there were a lot of conversations and negative comments hurled by people on the internet. Amid all the noise, it was necessary to take a step back and block the noise and only focus on the important things for a NASCAR driver.

As such, Dale Jr. asserted that therapy was necessary to understand not only how to be a better friend, but a great teammate on track as well, along with other improvements.

I think it’s (therapy) very valuable for guys that are in sports because the environment today is just really complex. There’s a lot going on, a lot of conversations happening around you and publicly online. Being able to manage that, block out the noise, and know what to focus on is important. I get some really valuable information in those conversations about managing expectations, how to be a better friend, a better partner, and also, in a professional sense, how to be a better teammate.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on Dale Jr Download.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepts therapy is ‘not always comfortable’

NASCAR drivers put their lives on risk when they sit in the cockpit and do not stop racing until the chequered flag is waved or they crash out on track. In addition to this, the contractual agreements and future uncertainty for a driver definitely take a toll, especially on their mental health. Amid all these problems, going to therapy and talking it all out isn’t always comfortable, even Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepted this fact.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepted that therapy wasn’t always comfortable for the drivers to go to. He explained that in therapy, the more a person talked about the uncomfortable things, the more he would benefit from it. As such, it definitely gets uncomfortable at times, but ultimately, it was necessary, and Dale Jr. accepted that he did not imagine being so vocal to someone about his problems.

It’s not always comfortable, but you get out what you put in. The more transparent you are, the more benefit you’ll get from it. I found that interesting because it’s not something I would have expected you to be vocal about.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.

Certainly, NASCAR is growing in global reach and audience like never before and is looking more promising than ever. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and hence, the drivers will be looked at under a microscope and will have to perform well. As such, therapy would definitely be a great breather for the drivers to relax and take a step back from the massive noise within the pinnacle of stock racing.

Read More: Kevin Harvick Exposes the ‘Intriguing’ Part About Chase Briscoe’s Evolution as a Racer

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