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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Challenges NASCAR’s Milestone Hype: A Closer Look at His Stance on Hocevar’s 50th Start and Legge’s Debut

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 13, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Opens Up on Career-Altering Concussions: “I Was Forced to Get Help”

Jul 9, 2016; Sparta, KY, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) waves to the fans during driver introductions prior to the Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a seasoned NASCAR veteran, once again expressed his distaste for celebrating early career milestones, as rising star Carson Hocevar marked his 50th Cup Series start. The racing legend, who began his own career at 17 on a North Carolina short track, has been known for his hands-on approach, working his way up from the local level to the Busch Series (now known as the Xfinity Series) in 1997. His journey, filled with grit and determination, led him to claim two consecutive Xfinity Cup Series Championships in 1998 and 1999.

Today’s young guns of NASCAR, such as Carson Hocevar, Ty Gibbs, and Noah Gragson, often share their early achievements on social media, a trend that Earnhardt Jr. views with skepticism. He believes that true success in the sport comes from enduring wins and consistent performance, not just early career milestones.

Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, recently shared a post marking his 50th Cup Series start. A significant moment for the 21-year-old, who is in his second full-time Cup season and has already claimed four victories in the Truck Series, including a recent win at Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, for Earnhardt Jr., 50 starts hardly qualify as a milestone worth celebrating.

Earnhardt Jr., known for his playful jabs, responded to Hocevar’s post with a GIF of Larry David looking unimpressed, implying that he expects more from the young driver. This is not the first time that the seasoned racer has expressed his skepticism about celebrating early career milestones. In a 2023 episode of The Dale Jr Download, Earnhardt Jr. questioned the hype surrounding numbers like 100 or 300 starts, believing that true milestones in NASCAR are achieved with numbers like 500 or 700 starts, akin to the likes of Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

Hocevar, though early in his career, has shown promise. With 50 starts under his belt, he is poised for a potential long career in the sport. However, Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective serves as a stark reminder that in NASCAR, true milestones are carved out of longevity and wins, not mere participation.

In addition to Hocevar, Earnhardt Jr. also weighed in on Katherine Legge’s NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Shriners Children’s 500 in Phoenix. He attributed the poor performance of Legge, who became the first woman to race in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick in 2018, to her subpar car, the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports. He also criticized NASCAR’s lack of practice, which he believes hits drivers like Legge harder.

Despite her poor debut, Legge remains optimistic about her future in NASCAR. With her background in IndyCar and sports cars, she hopes that this experience will be a stepping stone for future Cup races.

Earnhardt Jr. also commented on Joey Logano’s penalty during the Shriners Children’s 500, considering it too harsh for a minor restart violation. His remarks highlight the complex dynamics and intense competition of NASCAR, where every inch of the asphalt can make or break a race.

In conclusion, Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective serves as a valuable reminder to young racers that true success in NASCAR is a marathon, not a sprint, and that every victory is earned through grit, determination, and consistent performance.

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