Latest news with #DaleEarnhardtJr
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dale Jr. Makes Big Statement On Connor Zilisch's NASCAR Future
Dale Jr. Makes Big Statement On Connor Zilisch's NASCAR Future originally appeared on The Spun. Few drivers in the sport of racing can say they've been on the kind of heater that 19-year-old Connor Zilisch has been enjoying over the past nine races in Xfinity. With four wins, three runner-ups and a pair of top-five finishes, Zilisch has been everything he was advertised to be when he first made his NASCAR debut; and Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes this is just the beginning for the Charlotte, NC native. "He has the potential to do incredible, incredible Hall of Fame worthy things," Dale Jr. said after Saturday's checkered flag. "Oh man. He's a hell of a driver." "You know, he just went up there and got it back," Earnhardt added. "We've got great race cars, a good race car underneath him to do what he needed to do. So, it takes a lot of us ... that's what wins races in places like this and at Dover. So, thank y'all for all the hard work ... it's important to our performance." With only a handful of races left on the racing calendar, Zilisch is just 21 points behind fellow JRM teammate Justin Allgaier for this season's points lead. Zilisch himself was fired up after the win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Telling reporters: "I see some bricks that look kissable, and I'm going to kiss them. This is awesome. One hundred wins for JRM. Congrats to Dale, Kelley, L.W. [Miller], everybody who's raced for JRM, everybody who works at JRM." With how Connor has performed in the Xfinity Series it may not be long before he makes the jump to the Cup where he'll race against the big dawgs. Next up is the HyVee Perks 250 in Iowa where he'll look to add another Jr. Makes Big Statement On Connor Zilisch's NASCAR Future first appeared on The Spun on Jul 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dale Earnhardt Jr reflects on JR Motorsports' journey to 100th win
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. was proud, not only of his 19-year-old Pennzoil 250 winning driver Connor Zilisch but his entire JR Motorsports team as they celebrated their 100th win.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Deep Reads: Chasing ghosts with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
In October 2023, Junior turned 49. That's the same age his dad was in 2001, when, before the last turn on the last lap of the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s car bumped into Sterling Marlin's, sending the iconic No. 3 careening into the wall at 160 mph. Reporter Kent Babb was studying journalism in college in 2002 when his grandmother called. 'They think he's gone,' she said, referring to Babb's father. His father's heart had become enlarged, and while he was painting a house one day, it just stopped. His dad was 51. Babb is 43 now, and since the day his dad died, there has been something unsettling to him about the idea of turning 51. This is common among people who've lost a parent young, or what is called an 'off-time' death. Psychologists suggest these feelings of anxiety and fear, alongside a gradually intensifying urge to learn about your bloodline, are like a final stage of grief. And it's one that most people, and in particular men, rarely talk about or explore. Babb wanted to talk about it, preferably with someone who understood. And though he never took to NASCAR, Babb knew he and Junior belonged to the same unfortunate club. Babb wondered if he thought about it, if he dreaded turning 49, how he was coping as he approached the age his daddy was. So, before his birthday in 2023, Babb asked if Earnhardt Jr. would be open to talking. He said yes. This story traces Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s relationship with his father and who he has become after his father's death. Kent Babb reported, wrote and narrated the piece. Bishop Sand composed music and produced audio for the piece. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Rough Prediction For NASCAR's Dover Race
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Rough Prediction For NASCAR's Dover Race originally appeared on The Spun. Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn't forecasting great things for Sunday's NASCAR race in Dover. With high heat expected in Delaware this weekend, it's going to be a tough one for teams and drivers alike — and it's definitely not a part of racing that Dale Jr. misses in retirement. "This race today at Dover is gonna be a hot one," Earnhardt shared to X. "Absolutely miserable inside the racecar. I do not miss this part of it. Damn it's gonna be difficult. Lucky for some of the technology we have today." Fans agreed in the comments. "The Musty Monster Mile," a user replied. "I [thought] the IndyCar race at Gateway a few weeks ago was bad! This is next level. LOVE this track tho!!!" "Hoping no failed cool suits. That would be terrible," another said. "I love how honest Dale Jr. is on Twitter 😂" a fan laughed. "Kyle Busch is in the media center hanging out before having to go out. Its brutal," another person shared. "Preparing myself for at least 45min of coverage on cool suits," a viewer commented. "Should be running night races in the summer. In my opinion." "I remember the 01 spring race here, I thought that was the most god awful hot race I've been to at the track, I think this is worse," another fan admitted. "Just hoping we have 37 safe and healthy drivers at the end of this," another user prayed. It's definitely going to be less than comfortable for today's wheelman as Next Gen cars can easily get into the 130° range and above. We'll see who's mental and physical toughness can win out over the course of 400 laps at Dover International Earnhardt Jr. Makes Rough Prediction For NASCAR's Dover Race first appeared on The Spun on Jul 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Issued Major 'Warning' To NASCAR Track
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Issued Major 'Warning' To NASCAR Track originally appeared on The Spun. Dale Earnhardt Jr. issued a strong "warning" to a historic NASCAR track this week. Martinsville Speedway is one of the most historic tracks in racing. The 0.526-mile oval short track in Ridgeway, Virginia has been open since 1947. Over the past 50-plus years, it's hosted a ton of big-time races, most of them being sanctioned by NASCAR. The historic track is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Clay Campbell. The track gives out one of the most unique trophies in all of sports. The Martinsville clock is given out to winners of the NASCAR races. The clock chimes every 15 minutes and stands several feet tall. However, according to a report, the company that makes the clock is changing. Zeeland-based clock manufacturer Howard Miller announced that he is intending to shut down operations. 'It's sad. From the standpoint of Howard Miller, certainly, it's iconic for the city of Zeeland,' Zeeland City Manager Tim Klunder said. 'Just overall, it's a sad day in the community.' From the report: Howard Miller employees will receive a severance package and job placement support, according to the release. Hekman Furniture Co., which is owned by Howard Miller, will also be closing, the company said. 'We are deeply grateful to our talented team, our committed distributors and our loyal customers who have supported us throughout the years,' Miller said. The business was founded in 1926 by Howard C. Miller, the son of another big name in West Michigan furniture, Herman Miller. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not happy with this news. He's warning the legendary NASCAR track that whoever replaces the clock manufacturer better live up to the trophy. "Whomever makes the next version better make them exactly like the previous versions. Don't get cute and f--- this up," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Well said, Dale. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Issued Major 'Warning' To NASCAR Track first appeared on The Spun on Jul 13, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
