Dale Earnhardt Jr. has made it clear that he has no current plans to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025, but he hasn’t closed the door on making future starts. Speaking on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, the racing legend emphasized that while he has nothing scheduled, he’s leaving his options open.
“I don’t have any plans,” Earnhardt said. “I like it that way. If I want to run one, I will. If I don’t, I won’t. Right now, there is nothing on the schedule for next year.”
This announcement comes after Earnhardt’s impressive seventh-place finish at the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, a race some speculated might be his final NASCAR start. Earnhardt, however, expressed a desire to focus entirely on his new broadcasting roles with Amazon and TNT Sports in 2025. Amazon will air five NASCAR Cup Series races starting with the Coca-Cola 600, and TNT Sports will pick up the next five races, beginning with Atlanta. Earnhardt will bring his expertise to the commentary team for both networks.
Despite this new chapter, Earnhardt hinted that his racing itch might not be completely satisfied. “But knowing me, I’m probably going to go, ‘Man, I missed running,’” he confessed. “When ’25 is over…I’ll probably be sitting there going, ‘I should have run that race.’”
Since retiring from full-time Cup racing in 2017, Earnhardt has made occasional Xfinity Series starts with JR Motorsports, a team he co-owns. His appearances have been driven by personal interest and sponsorship deals, allowing him to stay connected to the sport he loves.
Looking ahead, Earnhardt revealed that if he does decide to return in 2026, Kansas Speedway could be a likely choice. “It looks fun as a viewer and I enjoy tracks where a driver can run against the wall,” he noted.
With 147 Xfinity Series starts and 24 career wins, Earnhardt’s future in racing remains an open-ended story, fueled by his passion and an ever-present desire to get back behind the wheel.
