Dale Earnhardt Jr. finally addressed the rumors surrounding his possible entry into the Cup series. Since retiring from the sport in 2016, the absence of the iconic surname has been felt in the premier division of stock car racing. Although the Earnhardt legacy has been maintained by JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, it is not complete without his presence at the highest level.
In recent years, especially since the introduction of the Next-Gen era, there have been numerous rumors suggesting that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister were considering buying a franchise to compete in the Cup series. While the family has acknowledged the truth of these rumors, they have been unable to move forward for various reasons.
During a recent episode of his podcast, Dale Jr. once again addressed the situation. With several franchises available on the market for approximately $20 to $25 million due to SHR’s operations ending, Junior does not believe now is the right time to enter the sport by buying a franchise. He sees this as a long-term investment and believes significant changes are needed within the sport before such a move can be made.
Discussing his expectations of owning a Cup Series team, Junior emphasized his desire for a team capable of competing for wins. He does not want any kind of partnership; instead, he wants total control over all aspects of the team’s operations.
The Hall of Famer makes a valid point regarding the Earnhardt family’s desire for total control over their team. Putting their surname on a car holds significant meaning within the racing community, and they are not willing to take that for granted.
