Dale Jr Reveals Holding on to Cup Series Dream Albeit Failing to Find the ‘Perfect Match’

Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kelly Earnhardt have long been eyeing a move to enter NASCAR Cup Series racing. However, he has refrained from making that ambitious move, even with Stewart Haas Racing’s four charters being available on the market. It’s not that Dale Jr hasn’t been in touch with the potential prospects that could help him make his Cup ownership dream come true. But none of the proposals align with his ambitions and ways of owning and operating a race team.

There was also a possibility of Dale Jr partnering with a team that is looking out for investments after losing out on co-owners. But it looks like such an idea and ownership model are not what he is looking for.

Dale Earnhardt Jr and JRM are looking for a clear road map to enter the Cup Series

It’s no secret that Dale Jr has been skeptical about entering the Cup racing scene with the deadlock situation in the charter agreement deal. His entry into the premier level of stock car racing is a passion project, but he is also aware of the financial ramifications of running a race team. The most recent example is SHR, which couldn’t continue its run despite scripting a success story on the race track.

Sharing his take on why he is holding out on his dream project, Dale Jr explained, “You know me and Kelly have talked about getting into it, and we’ve seen some opportunities to do that. They didn’t work out. We’re still like at the table, talking to different teams about maybe partnering or investing. We’re always like open to hearing what somebody thinks about partnership with us would look like. But none of them to this point have been that’s it, that’s a perfect match.”

Perhaps he was referring to the potential idea of joining JTG Racing as investors who are looking for funding, as Tad Geschickter and Jodi are expected to join Joe Gibbs Racing. However, both Kelly and Dale Jr are looking to exclusively own and operate a team and call at the shoots, which wouldn’t be possible in the role of investors or mere partners.

“For the longest time, me and Kelly thought of we were going to race in the Cup Series; we wanted to own and operate. Trying to part from that is tough because we’re doing something with a partner or something already existing. We’re not going to be making any decisions.” Jr further added.

Despite all the roadblocks and second thoughts, Dale Jr is still banking on two ways that could lend a helping hand to kickstart his Cup Series dream.

JRM will need more financial muscle to aid its Cup racing ambitions

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Dale Jr appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, where he was asked about his potential entry into the Cup Series. It has to be noted that the value of a Cup Series charter has taken a hit. There’s more supply than demand, which tends to bring down the value. And, the stalemate situation between Team Alliance and NASCAR over the charter agreement has also affected the prices of charters.

Sharing his take on how he can enter Cup racing as an owner, Jr stated, “Kelley and I could bring in some financial support to acquire charters, and JR Motorsports becomes a team. That’s kinda been the idea in our mind for the last several years.” He further explored the option of owning a single team, if they failed to make the switch with JRM. “If I can’t own a Cup race team and run it as we do, my preference might be more to just invest in a single charter, one particular race car, where I would have some influence over that actual car on the race track.”

Given the current circumstances, it is indeed tough to predict what Dale Earnhardt Jr’s next move might be. The turning point could be a breakthrough in ongoing charter negotiations. Thus allowing Jr to pull the levers and set his plans to enter the Cup Series in motion.