In a high-octane return to the NASCAR Xfinity race at Bristol, Dale Earnhardt Jr. provided fans with a thrilling spectacle. However, as the race neared its climax, Earnhardt’s remarkable comeback was marred by a fiery incident that left everyone holding their breath. His impressive run at Bristol took an unexpected turn when his car caught fire during the last laps of the race.

Later on, during one of the post-race interviews. Dale Jr. explained what went down with his car during the race that made him pull over near the pit stalls. Seeing their icon and racing hero back in action after so long, the fans couldn’t contain their excitement and showered praise and appreciation on him. However, they also acknowledged that his team suffered a rather expensive day at Bristol.

Dale Earnhardt Jr On Fire: The incident at Bristol that ended his race

Dale Earnhardt Jr, the NASCAR legend, made a triumphant return to the Bristol Xfinity race in 2023. Starting from the 15th position, he quickly carved his way through the field, battling fiercely for the lead. Earnhardt’s aggressive strategy paid off as he led 47 laps and was on the cusp of a remarkable comeback.

However, as the race entered its final stages, disaster struck. Inside his cockpit, smoke began to billow, and a strong smell of fire filled the air. Earnhardt’s uniform was ablaze, and he had no choice but to pull over to prevent further danger. His race ended abruptly, leaving him in 30th place, just 30 laps short of the finish.

During the post-race interview, he was asked, “You smell terrible by the way, you smell like fire. What happened?”

“Yeah, we’ve got a hole in my pants. Somehow or another, the shifter tunnel caught on fire,” Dale Jr. explained. “I saw some smoke in the car, and I smelled it and I was like, hopefully that’s not me. But it was that last lap, I saw a big fireball down in the tunnel in the car, and I felt it. Obviously, my uniform was burning up, and, like, I can’t keep going, I got to stop.”

“And usually, when you stop, the fires get bigger,” he added. “So I pulled over by the pit stall and some of them guys are pretty alert and they helped me out. And I hate it, we were gonna finish in the top 10 maybe top 5. We had a shot at winning it if the car was going to run at the end. But trying not to mess nobody’s night up at the same time. So it was hard, you know. But I had fun.”

Following Dale Jr’s eventful race and his post-race interview explaining the fiery incident, fans flooded social media with their reactions.

Dale Jr fans couldn’t hold their excitement as they witnessed his racing prowess after a long time

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When NASCAR on NBC posted Dale Jr.’s interview on Instagram, fans wasted no time sharing their thoughts. They flooded the comments section with love and appreciation for the racing icon. Many hinted at the costly day experienced by JR Motorsports, with three out of their four cars exiting the race prematurely. Despite the challenges faced by Dale Jr.’s team, fans remained steadfast in their admiration for their hero.

One fan pointed out, “Expensive day for JRM.”

While another thought he should sell his burnt uniform, “He should sign and auction that uniform now.”

Another fan pointed out the crazy day for JR Motorsports, “Crazy race for JRM. Three cars wreck out at the same time with no other cars involved, boss man catches on fire, last remaining car wins by a second.”

READ MORE: “Man, It Was Hard” – Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Bristol Winner Reveals How His Presence on the Track Impacted His Team

One fan said, “Love to see how John Hunter’s crew help Dale out, just shows racing is one big family.”

While many shared the sentiment of praise for their hero, “@dalejr is the man. Shows up cold turkey, goes fast, literally lights the place on fire.”

“Loved watching Dale behind the wheel. Miss him racing. Glad to see he’s ok. Looks like he had a lot of fun!!!”

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s return to the Bristol Xfinity race was a rollercoaster of emotions. From a breathtaking ascent to the forefront of the race to a fiery incident that halted his charge, Earnhardt’s performance left fans on the edge of their seats. The unwavering support from his devoted fanbase showcased the enduring legend of Dale Jr. in the world of NASCAR.

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