Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals His Dark Thoughts on the Track That Consumed Him as a Driver

Dale Earnhardt Jr, right from the get-go, was often spotlighted as the son of the legendary Dale Earnhardt. Yet, Dale Jr. carved out his own path of success, showcasing a competitive fire and tenacity on the track that mirrored his dad’s. Recently, Dale Jr. shared a story from way back in 1996 that highlighted his own competitive streak and knack for holding a grudge. It’s tales like these that make him get the whole deal with drivers deliberately trading paint on the track.

“I’ll get him one day” – Dale Earnhardt Jr’s lesser known competitive side

In NASCAR, every driver has had one of those days where they end up in a wreck they had nothing to do with, sometimes due to a little bump from behind that sends them spinning. While some drivers shrug it off as part of the sport, others, including Dale Earnhardt Jr, believe in settling scores.

Surprisingly, no one might be able to guess right off the bat who tops Dale Jr’s list for paybacks. He recently discussed the Phoenix race incident involving Eric Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, and Joey Logano, and how Jones’ frustration reminded him of his own racing days and a particular instance where he was itching for revenge.

Dale Jr. shared that he wouldn’t just brush off getting wrecked. Instead, he’d spend the whole next week plotting his payback, replaying the race in his mind, wishing for a do-over with a different outcome. He explained that apologies don’t really cut it for racers; what they really look forward to is the chance to turn the tables on the track. “That would consume my thoughts the entire week dang. There are still races that I run back in my head and sort of have this sort of alternative ending,” he said, revealing a glimpse into his mindset of never forgetting and waiting eagerly for the right moment to even the score.

However, more often than not, the situations do not end up that way. Remembering an incident from 1996, where Dale Earnhardt Jr got tangled up with Jason Keller at Myrtle Beach in a way he couldn’t shake off, he said, “He’s wanting to clip Jeff Green in the left in the right rear. But I’m there and he runs into the right front of my car so my his left rear to my right front and it just spins me out. Coming off turn four and I’m like I’m pissed. I didn’t have nothing to do with that right and here I am freaking spun out.”

He continued, “And so I carried that with me my entire career- one day dang one day I’ll get him one day I’m going send that son gun around almost spin you and I never I never was in the position to do that. I just wanted to harmlessly turn him around and let him lose about 20 spots.” That’s pretty much the vibe on the track—getting mixed up in someone else’s mess can really grind your gears, sparking those intense trackside reactions.

However, now, with his racing days behind him and stepping into the role of a team owner, Dale Jr looks back with a more mature perspective. He’s moved on from dwelling on those on-track squabbles. Nowadays, he’s focusing on growing his team, scouting fresh talent to take the wheel of his #88 car, and showing just how far he’s come from those fiery days on the track.

JR Motorsports signs 17-Year-old for four NASCAR Xfinity races

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JR Motorsports just dropped the news on Wednesday that they’ve snagged Connor Zilisch, fresh off his wins at the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and the Trans Am Series TA2 at Sebring last month, for a four-race gig in the Xfinity Series. While everyone was buzzing, thinking Rajah Caruth might be the pick after his standout performance in Vegas, turns out, Connor’s the guy stepping into the spotlight. He’s set to take the wheel of the #88 Chevy at Watkins Glen, Kansas, Homestead-Miami, and Phoenix. 

Interestingly, Connor’s been on the sidelines for the season’s first stretch because you have to be 18 to race in NASCAR, and he’s hitting that milestone on July 21. Last year, he turned heads at Watkins Glen in the ARCA Menards Series, kicking off and wrapping up the race in second place. Plus, he’s already been scooped up by Trackhouse Racing as a development driver on a multi-year contract, not to mention his Rolex 24 victory with Era Motorsport.

And guess what? Dale Earnhardt Jr, part of the JR Motorsports duo, is also jumping behind the wheel for an undisclosed race in the #88 car.

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