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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talk prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talk prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Even at 48, NASCAR Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt Jr is going great guns. Junior had earlier announced that he would continue racing even more in 2023. Moreover, to prove that he is still fit to be racing, NBC shared an old clip in which Junior was visibly bench-pressing a massive 315 pounds with ease.
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In the video, we see Junior being asked if he would knock this out, pointing toward the weights. Junior, responds, “Yeah, I should probably stretch. Don’t wanna pull a hammy.” Later, calling it a common injury. When the interviewer asked if he needed a spot, Junior denied his aid and said that he had some friends to help him, pointing at the jacked dudes in the background. Junior then pulled off one press, with the help of the spotters, aiding him in his quest.
However, at one point, it looked like the spotters were doing the majority of the lifting, and Earnhardt struggled while pushing the weight back up.
A while ago, Junior had announced that he would drive the Bass Pro Shop Camaro’s in the Xfinity Series for two races in the 2023 season. And by lifting the weights, he got his point across that he was completely ready to take on the challenge of racing further and also that he was fit enough to do so.
Fans react to Dale Earnhardt Jr bench pressing
The reactions to Junior’s bench press were mixed. Some of them absolutely loved that the NASCAR icon was able to pull it off, and others were not so amused that spotters lent more than a helping hand to Earnhardt.
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NORTH WILKESBORO, NC – AUGUST 31: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (3) smiles on the starting grid just before the Cars Tour LMSC 125 on Aug 31, 2022, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Fans commented,
“I didn’t know Junior was that jacked, wow!”
“Junior still has the guns to race”
“I’m sticking to my 12 ounce curl’s!”
“Dale Jr, Never ceases to Amaze in anything he does!!!!”
“Pull a hammy
However, the video did not convince everyone that Junior could pick all of that on his own.
“Spotters supported 75% of that weight
“The two guys on the side was doing the lifting, the only thing he was lifting is his arms.and lips….”
“C’mon Junior! Do it for real. I did 306 on my 50th birthday and 254 on my 60th. If the arthritis in my shoulder doesn’t stop me I’m hoping to still do 200 on my 70th.”ADVERTISEMENT
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Dale Jr. isn’t exactly a bodybuilder, but a race car driver, a media mogul, and a successful team owner. However, the bench-press attempt Earnhardt supposedly pulled off seemed impressive, and he also successfully got his point across.
