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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, looks on in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, looks on in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
JR Motorsports has established itself as a top competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Unfortunately, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister, Kelley Earnhardt, have been left with a big void in their team as a key member announced his departure.
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It’s a sad day for JR Motorsports, as Ryan Pemberton, the Director of Competition, announced that he’s parting ways with the team. JRM Director of Motorsports L.W. Miller released a statement as Pemberton left.
JR Motorsports director of competition Ryan Pemberton has amicably parted ways with the team, according to a news release. L.W. Miller (JRM director of motorsports, husband of Kelley) to assume that role for the rest of the year.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 24, 2022
He said, “Ryan has been essential to JRM’s success over the past decade. We asked a lot of him when he came here in 2012, and he not only embraced the challenge, but he helped us right the ship. In the process, he laid the groundwork for a winning culture. Ryan’s given this organization a tremendous amount, and I can’t thank him enough.”
Of course, the fans got their say in the matter too, and it surely shocked them.
Bob I was told that Ryan was a vocal against Drew Dollar taking over the 9 car next year and it was delaying the announcement of that deal. Was this what caused them to split?
— Better Than Ezra Miller (@TuffTitty03) August 24, 2022
They don’t need him. Or can’t afford him next yr without Noah’s money ?
— DavidfromMd (@DavidfromMd2) August 24, 2022
Nothing like a little nepotism to help improve a team.
— Brian Knotts (@brianknotts) August 24, 2022
Wow this came outta nowhere!
— Josh (@j_douglas9) August 24, 2022
Yikes
— Zeb Leonard (@NotoriousZEB) August 24, 2022
Wow!!!!!
— Brian Richardson (@B_Richardson32) August 24, 2022
I wonder if this is so he can take on another opportunity–Cup, perhaps? If results were his responsibility, I'd say he'd be a solid candidate to do so.
— Mark Jarman (@markjarman) August 24, 2022
A try at the Cup Series would justify a good reason to part ways. Especially knowing the big barrier JR Motorsports is facing, keeping them from competing in the Cup.
What is keeping Dale Earnhardt Jr. from taking JR Motorsports to the Cup Series?
JR Motorsports has been unsuccessfully trying to enter the Cup Series for a while. Junior‘s sister, Kelley Earnhardt, revealed the big reason the brother-sister duo cannot get to the “next level” of NASCAR.
In an interview with SiriusXM Radio, she said, “The biggest barrier is that charter cost… I don’t think there’s a lot of charters up for grabs at a reasonable cost right now.”
Unfortunately, she also confirmed that the move to the
Cup is certainly not happening next year, “I don’t think we’ll be Cup racing full time for 2023, that’s for certain.”
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AVONDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 07: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 7, 2008 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Could knowing that
JRM wouldn’t head to the Cup Series have caused Pemberton’s decision? Could there be a completely different reason? Let us know in the comments.ADVERTISEMENT
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