Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains the natural ability racers need to thrive at the premier level

Dale Jr. highlights how to spot the best racing talents.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains the natural ability racers need to thrive at the premier level

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon (Via IMAGO)

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has pointed out that to be successful at the top levels as a race car driver. Dale Jr. is one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. He has won over 20 races in the Cup and Xfinity series, alongside two back-to-back Xfinity titles. He was recently added to the list of the 75 greatest drivers ever.

While speaking to two times Superbowl Winning NFL star Eli Manning twice in his show, he was asked about the qualities he looks for in a young racing prodigy. Dale Jr explained that it’s not always about the raw pace of a driver, but teams will take gambles on them as they can be taught how to race clean.

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He said in the Eli Manning show, “Well, one thing that is important is that they don’t crash right? Because cars are expensive and so if they crash a lot that’s gonna drain the bank account of the team. But if they have raw speed they can probably take a gamble on that driver. Try to help them clean up the racetrack.”

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He added that while the race craft can be thought of, at the end of the day, teams need drivers who have the natural talent of driving clean and fast. Dale Jr. said, “Some people can learn to drive fast or learn to drive a racecar driver. But some, the ones you want, are born with this ability.”

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. has given NASCAR some of the most promising talents and champions with his Xfinity team

Dale Jr.’s Xfinity Series team, Junior Motorsports, is one of the talent factories of the sport where promising talents establish themselves as Cup prodigies. Some of the graduates from his team have won Cup and Xfinity titles and are driving for the top teams.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Via IMAGO)

The list includes Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Willaim Byron, Rayn Preece, Danica Patrick, and many more. JRM has won three driver championships and 71 one-second-tier NASCAR races since its debut in 2005. It also fields cars in CARS Tour and Late Model Series and sponsors drivers in IRacing.

Their current grid features Josh Berry, who will make his full-time Cup debut next year, replacing Kevin Harvick at SHR. Sam Mayor and Justin Allgaier are two Cup-bound talents who can be contenders for race wins. They have a fine racer in Brandon Jones, as well.

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