Dale Earnhardt Jr. Opens Up About Being a NASCAR Team Owner and Crew Chief
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped in as a crew chief for 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, giving him the unique perspectives of having been a crew chief and a team owner.
Earnhardt owns JR Motorsports - a racing team that gives young drivers an opportunity in the Xfinity Series.
Ahead of the Pocono race, Earnhardt Jr. broke down the differences between serving as an owner and crew chief:
"It's way more fun than being the owner," Earnhardt told Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.
"When you're the owner, you don't do anything, and there's nothing you provide of assistance during the race weekend. There's nothing that you do that makes or breaks a weekend or lifts a team's performance. And it sucks.
"I used to be a driver and have a role, and when you win, you get out [of the car] and go, 'I was part of that.' When you're the owner, you're just kind of standing there going, 'Good job, everybody.' But this is way more fun."
The former driver stepped into the role after the team's regular crew chief, Mardy Lindley, was suspended for Zilisch's No. 88 car lacking two lug nuts during the race in Nashville.
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, and JR Motorsports team owner, and fill-in crew chief Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 250...
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, and JR Motorsports team owner, and fill-in crew chief Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway on June 21, 2025 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. More
Photo byEarnhardt Jr. was offered the role by Lindley, who convinced him to take on the role.
"There's probably over 100 people at JR Motorsports that would have been more qualified, but Mardy asked me to do it," he added.
"So I was like, 'You must want me to do it.' ... We got a great team and a great organization that can handle these types of challenges. Should be no problem.
"I've sat on plenty of pit boxes, but it should be cool to see it from this perspective."
Great quote from Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the difference between being an owner and crew chief, and why he's finding more enjoyment in the latter role as he steps in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch this weekend. https://t.co/tNyhntJ2ov pic.twitter.com/mevcGpcAPS — Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) June 21, 2025
Despite never working the role, Earnhardt Jr. led Zilisch to a race win. Zilisch was in third place at the restart during the final stages of the race.
He managed to quickly gain a place once it got underway again and battled with Jesse Love for the wine. With four laps left, Zilisch overtook Love for the lead and delivered a race win.
After getting a win in his debut, Earnhardt Jr. took the humble path and gave credit to the racing team.
"When we have an issue like this with somebody being suspended, they know what to do. Just a great job putting us in a position to succeed," Earnhardt told The CW Sports broadcaster Dillon Welch.
The 18-year-old opted to give his boss some props on doing a good job.
"Dale Jr, not too bad on the box," Zilisch said after the win.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
a few seconds ago
- Newsweek
Another NASCAR Driver Suffers From Injury After Watkins Glen Incident
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NASCAR race weekend at Watkins Glen International made headlines not only for Shane van Gisbergen's fourth Cup Series victory, but also for full-time Xfinity driver Connor Zilisch's fall while celebrating his race win in the Victory Lane. Now though, it appears that another driver was involved in an incident on the same weekend, leading to his absence from the upcoming race at Richmond. Bill McAnally Racing confirmed in a statement on X that Jack Wood will not be able to compete in the Truck Series race on Friday at Richmond Raceway as a "precautionary" measure after he sustained an injury at Watkins Glen. The update read: "Jack Wood will not compete in Friday's race at Richmond Raceway for precautionary measures due to an injury he sustained at Watkins Glen International. The No. 91 entry has been withdrawn from the event. "An update on Wood's status will be announced at a later date." Christopher Bell, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, and Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Mobil 1 Toyota, lead the field during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Mission 176 at The Glen at Watkins... Christopher Bell, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, and Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Mobil 1 Toyota, lead the field during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Mission 176 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 08, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. MoreThe incident occurred when Wood lost control of his truck due to a suspected front left tire puncture, leading him to crash into the barriers on either side of the track. While he was released from the infield care center after evaluation, the severity of his injury remains unknown. Fortunately for Zilisch, who leads the points standings, it is an Xfinity Series off-weekend this time, meaning he has one more week left to recover from a broken collarbone. He recently underwent surgery to speed up his recovery, but it remains to be seen if he will return for the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on August 22. At Watkins Glen, Zilisch was to race the following day for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series. However, his injury prevented that from happening. Trackhouse owner Justin Marks opened up about the 19-year-old's return to racing after the incident, explaining how discussions had to be made with several parties to ensure Zilisch received maximum support. Newsweek Sports reported his comments: "I think it's a discussion that we all have to have. We haven't really talked about much, obviously, since yesterday, but in the little bit that we've discussed in some of the quiet moments over the last 24 hours, it's going to have to be a group decision. "It's going to have to be sponsors, Chevrolet, the team, taking care of his development, taking care of him as a human and as an athlete, and then keeping his motivations high and making sure he knows he's got a group of people behind him that are supportive of him."
Newsweek
a few seconds ago
- Newsweek
Travis Kelce's New Subscriber Count After Taylor Swift Appearance—Revealed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Travis Kelce's podcast New Heights saw a sharp rise in subscribers after his longtime partner, Taylor Swift, made an appearance on the show, drawing millions of views and new attention to the NFL star's media ventures. The episode featuring Swift, released August 14 on YouTube, has already surpassed 15 million views and helped drive more than 500,000 new subscribers to the podcast, according to tracking site Social Blade. The podcast's YouTube channel now boasts more than 3 million subscribers. Hosted by Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, the podcast was already one of the most popular athlete-led shows in the U.S., but Swift's appearance has sent its growth into a new tier. The surge in numbers reflects Swift's ability to mobilize her global fan base and connect them to whatever platforms she engages with—even in crossover entertainment formats like a sports podcast. "I think the size of her audience and of her influence, on both individual and groups of people and the culture at large, are due to the interest she generates in all kinds of folks for all kinds of reasons," Ari Perez, associate professor at Quinnipiac University, told Newsweek. Perez teaches a course titled "Taylor Swift: Cultural Mirrorball" in the university's Women and Gender Studies Program. "She has something for everyone, and you can find in that songwriting menu anything that you want to find, and it will be expertly prepared and served," Perez said. From left: Travis Kelce celebrates with Taylor Swift after the Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri; and the couple watch a... From left: Travis Kelce celebrates with Taylor Swift after the Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri; and the couple watch a game at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. More Getty Images Since going public with their relationship in 2023, Swift and Travis Kelce have become one of the most-discussed celebrity couples globally. The singer's appearance on New Heights was also where she announced her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl. Perez, who describes herself as a "fearless Swiftie," said the singer's influence is more than fan enthusiasm—it is a strategically cultivated relationship with her audience. "She has been very deliberate and hardworking at engaging with her fans and keeping a relatable image," Perez said. "The attachment fans feel toward her is reciprocated." Perez also drew a comparison to ESPN's branding strategy, where fans of one sport or property often find themselves drawn into others through exposure. "Taylor really has that kind of brand integration where new fans—for instance, the folks that got into Taylor's music through folklore in 2020—stick around and find their place in the universe and are encouraged and motivated to sit at the big table," she added. The effect of Swift's presence on New Heights underscores that appeal. The channel's jump in subscribers represents not just a short-term spike in attention but potentially lasting engagement from a new audience segment. "Swiftie fandom is mostly a big-tent fandom," Perez said.
Newsweek
31 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Steelers Highest Ranked Position Group is Good News For Aaron Rodgers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2025 season with a big question mark regarding how the offense is going to look under Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is entering his presumed final season, and the reports around camp are that the offense is taking some time to click. More news: Browns' Shedeur Sanders Receives Official Injury Diagnosis, Timeline Return That said, the Steelers do have the benefit of being ranked at the top of the list in one crucial area. This area is also huge news for Rodgers. ESPN's Mike Clay released a grand position group ranking for all teams heading into Week 2 of preseason, and the outlook for Week 1 of the regular season. The Steelers have been ranked the highest on that list in edge rushing. With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig on the team, the unit is incredibly strong. Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 10, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images More news: Vikings' Update on Justin Jefferson is Bad News For Depleted WR Room "T.J. Watt has been an All-Pro in each of his past five healthy seasons and has an NFL-high 108 sacks since entering the league in 2017 (only he and Myles Garrett have more than 83). Running mate Alex Highsmith sat out six games last season but remained a full-time player when healthy; his 33.5 sacks over the past four seasons rank 16th in the league. Nick Herbig (5.5 sacks in 13 games) was also terrific in an expanded role," Clay writes. Pittsburgh made it a point to extend Watt, and that solved the issue of his potentially missing training camp or preseason action. Watt has been a monster pass rusher, and with Highsmith landing six sacks of his own, the pair are dangerous. Though there is the old NFL adage that "defense wins championships," the Steelers ' solid defense is major news for Rodgers. Oftentimes in 2024, the Pittsburgh defense kept them in or won them games. With Rodgers needing some time to gel with the offense, and the fact that he is an unknown factor in the grand scheme of things, having an elite defense is something that will greatly benefit him. Watt and company will keep the Steelers defense in games, especially since the team also traded for Jalen Ramsey. Rodgers is no slouch, despite being 41 years old and in the twilight years of his career. If Rodgers can still gun the ball downfield to DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, his defense will do more than enough to make every game competitive. The Steelers have some question marks, but one glaring benefit the roster has right now is the dangerous pass rush. For more on the Steelers and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
