Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals Feelings of Inferiority to Chase Elliott Amid ‘Nervous’ NASCAR Return

Should Dale Earnhardt Jr. feel inferior to Chase Elliott, or is he being too hard on himself?

Since retiring from the Cup Series in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has only participated in a handful of NASCAR events. This weekend, however, he’s returning to the Xfinity Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, a race that’s expected to be his last in NASCAR, adding extra significance to the occasion.

Fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the track, but racing at this level is no small challenge, and Dale Jr. admits to feeling anxious and nervous. To handle the pressure while driving the #88 JRM car at Bristol this weekend, he plans to draw inspiration from Chase Elliott’s approach to high-stakes situations.

His nerves make sense, especially given how his last race at Thunder Valley ended. In the closing laps, electrical issues caused a fire in his cockpit, forcing him to finish in 30th place. Now, with the added weight of what could be his final NASCAR race, how does Dale Jr. manage the mounting expectations? He looks to Chase Elliott’s calm approach to these moments, viewing them as opportunities rather than pressure. This mentality was crucial for Elliott when he captured the 2020 Cup Series championship.

“Some drivers feel more pressure, while others see it as an opportunity. Chase Elliott was at Phoenix for his first finals, and I thought, I’d be so nervous. How do they manage that pressure? He said, ‘Pressure, man, this is an opportunity,’” Dale Jr. revealed on the DJD segment, Ask Jr.

Dale Jr. also shared his expectations for his team ahead of the Bristol race. “I want to have fun, no matter who I’m racing. I don’t want to be pushed around or get upset. I have certain goals I want to achieve, and at the end of the night, I want to feel satisfied with what we accomplished.”

There’s often debate among teams whether to tweak their race setup or stick with a proven formula. For Dale Earnhardt Jr., his #88 JRM Chevy was likely the top contender at Bristol last year. Without the unexpected fire, he may have secured his first Xfinity Series win since 2016 at Martinsville.

Now, with a shot at redemption, the 49-year-old is banking on last year’s setup. “We’re bringing back the same car as last year. It’s completely rebuilt. I hope it performs as well. See you in a week,” he shared with fans on his X account.

The expectations are high for the #88 JRM team at Bristol, possibly marking Dale Jr.’s final NASCAR race. Even though it may seem like he’s retiring for good, he will continue racing in late-model events, which he has increasingly participated in since becoming co-owner of the z-MAX CARS Tour.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals Feelings of Inferiority to Chase Elliott Amid ‘Nervous’ NASCAR Return.