Rumors surrounding JR Motorsports entering the Cup Series realm have been brewing for a while now. With a proven track record in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and iRacing series among others, Cup Series seems like the next logical step for the team. And to put the conjectures to rest, JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr finally revealed his plans and aspiration for the coming years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Recently, Sports Business Reporter Adam Stern tweeted that JR Motorsport does not feel that investing $20 million for a charter is economically wise. However, Earnhardt Jr soon clarified that his team would not mind paying $20 million to fulfil their Cup Series dream.
In his conversation at Sunday’s Texas Motor Speedway race, Earnhardt Jr revealed that the team has always tried to figure out how they can enter the Cup Series. Moreover, citing his sister and JR Motorsports co-owner Kelly Miller, Earnhardt said; “I think, Kelly said it best recently that we are currently 50-50 on how to get there.”
Further, Dale explained that JR Motorsports is ready to enter the Cup Series should an opportunity present itself. He also revealed that the team is ready to invest in a new charter. However, he pointed out that this was the main concern at the moment as not many charters are out for sale. He said;
“Not everybody out there has just got charters laying around to sell. And every charter that is for sale has a lot of strings attached. A lot of baggage to it. They don’t want to sell all of the charter, they want to sell part of the charter. It’s just real murky, muddy system. So, it’s not just like you can just go, make it happen, or pull the switch.”
But despite the challenges, the team still wishes to be a part of the NASCAR Cup Series. Earnhardt said; “But we are actually closer. I think that we’ve ever been to making that decision or making that change or that choice.” Further, he shared that maybe even after the collective efforts of the team, JR Motorsports might not be able to race in the Cup Series next year.
Dale Earnhardt Jr on why JR Motorsports wouldn’t be entering the 2023 Cup Series
Dale Earnhardt Jr revealed that there’s not been a day in the last two years when his co-owner Kelly hasn’t done something to move the team in the direction of the Cup Series. He said; “I mean she has met (everybody). Name me anybody in the industry, she has met with them about this.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Moreover, he shared that the team is currently trying to understand the how, when, where, and all the other possibilities. he said; “(We’re) Sifting through the truth and rumors and who’s really ready to get down to business. Sifting through everybody that owns a charter and wants a lot of money for it. There’s just a lot of challenges to it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: “I Don’t Want Partners” – Dale Jr’s Sister on Potentially Ending Hendrick Motorsports Association
He further said that the team is working every day to move in that direction. However, nothing has worked out yet. He shared; “It just has to come together and (sighs) hasn’t yet. I think at this point, it won’t come together for next year (2023). It will have to be the next year (2024).”