For decades, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been a name synonymous with NASCAR excellence. He has always been one to lead with instinct and experience, but when it comes to managing JR Motorsports, he takes a hands-off approach. He understands that the Xfinity Series is a proving ground where young drivers need to find their own way—just as he once did.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Jr. was still trying to make sense of restrictor plate racing. Daytona and Talladega were mysteries he couldn’t quite crack. He wrecked often, struggled to figure out the nuances, and for a long time, felt completely in over his head. But the experience was the best teacher. He eventually learned that plate racing wasn’t just about speed—it was about positioning, patience, and making split-second decisions that could either push you forward or leave you stranded.

Dale Jr. looks for a balanced approach throughout his racing team

Now, as a team owner, he watches his drivers go through that same journey. It’s tempting to get on the radio and coach them through every move, especially when he sees moments where a different choice could change the outcome of a race. But he resists. He knows that true growth comes from trial and error, from experiencing both success and failure firsthand.

Earnhardt Jr. explained. “We have four different teams all competing under the same roof, and I don’t want to appear as favoring one over the other or spending more focus or time with one over the other. So, I kind of stay off and let them just operate.” For the Hall of Famer, it’s about ensuring all his drivers have the opportunity to grow and learn on their own. “When it comes to racing and we get to the racetrack and they’re rolling the track, I don’t feel like I have anything to add, honestly,” he explained further while speaking on the Dale Jr. Download.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be involved—far from it. Dale Jr. shared that he would have loved to communicate with Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil during the race, but the challenge is balancing focus across multiple drivers. His understanding of what it takes to succeed at the Xfinity level is deeply rooted in his own experience.

This is where his bold career verdict comes in: “You got to go through a process.” Dale Jr. recognizes that plate racing is an art, and not every driver figures it out quickly. “Some people never figure that out and some struggle with it for their whole careers and just never really embrace it or try to solve the riddle or the Rubik’s Cube, but it took me a while,” he reflected. “I can watch Carson run that race and I can go, ‘Man, do this, get that lane, do this, do that,’ but he doesn’t know why he’s doing it. He might do what I tell him, but he doesn’t understand it yet.”

His approach is clear: let the drivers experience the highs and lows, learn from their own decisions, and develop their race craft over time. Dale Jr.’s philosophy is one of patience, trust, and belief in the learning curve. His commitment to all JRM drivers is unwavering—not through favoritism, but through a process that allows them to grow into the racers they’re meant to be.

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DJR reveals his grand expansion plan for JR Motorsports

The 2025 Daytona 500 was a landmark moment for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his team, JR Motorsports (JRM). After years of dominating the Xfinity Series, Junior and his sister, Kelly Earnhardt, finally brought their team to the NASCAR Cup Series. And what better way to debut than at ‘The Great American Race?’

Piloting the No. 40 JRM car was none other than Justin Allgaier, the 2024 Xfinity Series champion. It wasn’t the smoothest start, as he rolled off the grid from 19th position. But in true Daytona fashion—where survival is half the battle—Allgaier weathered the storm of wrecks and chaos to bring home a P9 finish. For a debuting Cup team to crack the top 10 in their first Daytona 500? That’s the kind of performance that turns heads.

Naturally, the NASCAR world erupted with one question: What’s next for JRM in the Cup Series? Junior himself hinted at more to come, posting on X, “Can get used to these cup racin’ updates from the JRM handle.” The excitement was real, but a full-time Cup entry isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. Owning a Cup charter is a massive investment, and Junior made it clear on his Dale Jr. Download podcast that he’s not willing to go all in alone. “I’m not going to give you $40 million for that Charter. I’m not doing that,” he stated. Instead, he sees himself taking a 20% ownership role, much like Denny Hamlin’s setup with 23XI Racing, where NBA legend Michael Jordan holds the majority stake.

The good news? Jr. and Kelley bring more than just racing credentials. “Every single partner that we’ve ever had, that has ever left and went somewhere else has come right back and said y’all do it better,” Junior shared. And let’s be honest—the Earnhardt name alone carries weight in NASCAR. Finding the right financial partner might just be a matter of time.

What do you think, will JRM return for more Cup Series races in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments.