Q&A: Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks NASCAR playoffs, retirement, replacement, more
Dale Earnhardt Jr. hopes he’s living up to his obligations and is a championship contender this fall.
And he is invigorated for his last shot at a win at a restrictor-plate track this October at Talladega Superspeedway after last weekend’s disappointing finish at Daytona, where his career was forged.
And if at any point team owner Rick Hendrick needs his opinion on his replacement, NASCAR’s 14-time most popular driver will offer it, but his suggestion likely won’t be Hendrick Motorsports’ 19-year-old prospect William Byron, who has sparked talk on social media about his future thanks to back-to-back Xfinity Series wins.
Earnhardt discussed philanthropy, parting gifts, going out strong, the void he’ll leave and the space he hopes to fill after this season in a phone conversation with USA TODAY Sports during a visit to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio:
MORE NASCAR:
NASCAR teams train with U.S. Winter Olympic athletes, find common ground
How Dale Earnhardt Jr. became one of NASCAR's top job creators
Dale Earnhardt Jr. retiring on his terms, like he did everything else in racing
Q: Was getting through your last points race at Daytona a relief considering the buildup and anticipation you spoke about after your race ended in a crash?
Earnhardt: Not really. I was looking forward to Daytona and I was enjoying the hell out of the race. I was kind of disappointed that we didn’t get to finish because the race was so fun. ... So, I’m looking forward to Talladega to get the opportunity to get one last shot at some good plate racing, because I had a lot of fun during the race the other night.
I’m not sure what to expect out of the rest of the season, as far as the attention and the buildup to each race, but, yeah, Daytona was a little bit overwhelming, I would say. It kind of caught me off-guard, but maybe as it goes along I’ll be a little more better prepared.
Q: Having seen how Jeff Gordon went to retirement, and Tony Stewart to some degree, what’s the level of pressure to make the playoffs? And how do you see the final races playing out?
It would be a bit of a heart-breaker to not be involved in the Chase. It always was every year. It was like a fraternity, and if you didn’t get an invite to it, it was definitely something you missed out on. That will be the same case this year.
As far as all the gifts and donations and what-have-you and basically anything the tracks have come up with, what I really enjoyed was the route that Sonoma took [the track is sponsoring three puppies for Paws as Loving Support Assistance Dogs for the community] where they took their efforts, whether it’s money or what-have-you, and they focused it on something that will make a difference in their community and that’s something that will have a long impact in someone else’s life for a very long time.
I thought that was a great, great idea and we don’t need to walk away from the track with all kinds of gift(s) and personal belongings and things like that. That’s just not something that I was looking forward to or anticipating to begin with. … That’s just such a great opportunity they took to get creative, and I appreciate that.
Q: You take a lot on your shoulders in terms of friends and co-workers’ welfare, so how much stress are you feeling about giving your fans one more run to get behind as you try to qualify for the playoffs?
To not be able to deliver good runs, good finishes, wins, get yourself, your team in the playoffs, to put forth a good effort in the playoffs, all those things are what you feel your fanbase … that’s what they deserve. So, when you don’t fulfill all those little goals, you definitely feel like you didn’t get the job done or you didn’t do what you’re supposed to do. Simple enough.
I think our team and our car is good enough and we should be in the Chase. It’s been an odd year. It’s been a lot of bad luck and a lot of our doing, but we’ve still got some opportunity.
Q: Do you want input into your replacement?
I want to be a part of helping Rick and helping the company be successful. Whatever he needs from me, I am happy to do to continue the health of Hendrick Motorsports. I care a lot about Rick. I care a lot about the guys on the 88 car, not to mention all the people there that have been a part of my career over the last decade.
So, I have some personal investment in the future of that team, the success of that team. I’ll be their biggest fan going forward, and any input Rick wants from me, he’s got. Going forward, whatever help he needs from me, to be able to help make that decision, I’m willing to be a part of that.
Q: Is William Byron ready for a Cup ride?
Most drivers need about two years in the Xfinity Series. Even though William is going great, I think a couple solid years in the Xfinity Series is a great foundation for any driver coming up (Byron is in his rookie year).
RELATED COVERAGE:
Hendrick Motorsports takes measured approach to replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr.
William Byron prevails at Daytona for second straight Xfinity victory
Q: How rewarding is doing something like the hospital visit?
We brought half the team, [crew chief] Greg Ives to show them what it’s about. They know the hospital exists and it’s on the car and it’s important to us, and it’s important to Nationwide and important to them, but to be able to see with your own eyes is a great experience.
I was really excited about today, and, yeah it’s a lot of fun to come here and hear about all the great things they have going on and definitely [there’s] a lot of sad things happening around here, too. But there’s a lot of people getting help. This is kind of their last resort or last opportunity for some help and Nationwide has a policy where they don’t turn anybody away, no matter how sick they are or whether they can pay. You have a lot of people coming here that don’t have a lot of hope and don’t have a lot of confidence in the future and they get to Nationwide and learn about all the awesome things they’re able to do.
Follow James on Twitter @brantjames
PHOTOS: DALE EARNHARDT JR. THROUGH THE YEARS
