CONCORD, N.C. — Following a concussion last June that ultimately robbed him of the second half of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season last year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. openly admitted that there were times where he thought he might not get the opportunity to decide for himself when his driving career would end.
But Tuesday, the 14-time Most Popular Driver was able to do just that, announcing that he will step away from Cup racing at the conclusion of this year after 18 years at NASCAR’s premier level and a decade spent with Hendrick Motorsports.
In an hour-long press conference held on the Hendrick campus, Earnhardt answered question after question with varying degrees of emotion, showing authenticity and genuine character on the heels of what he called ”
“The response just in the last six hours from teammates, colleagues and friends and fans has been incredibly overwhelming,” he admitted. “But if you’re wondering why I reached this decision, it’s really simple. I just wanted the opportunity to go out on my own terms. I wanted to honor my commitment to Rick, to my sponsors, to my team and to the fans.”
“Having influence over my exit only became meaningful when it started to seem most unlikely,” Earnhardt added, referencing the time during the latter stages of last year where questions arose on if he would return to the race car. “I missed a few races last year and during that time, I had to face the realization that my driving career may have already ended without me as so much getting a vote at the table. Of course, in life we’re not promised a vote, and that’s especially true in racing.”
However, Earnhardt circled a key point in his remarks that allowed him to find both the strength to come back, as well as the strength to walk away.
“During my rehab, I was given something that I wasn’t accustomed to, and that was time. Time to understand what’s important to me, time to realize the incredible support system I have in my wife, my team, and my doctors, and time to work like hell to wrestle back some semblance of say‑so in this whole matter.”
“That became my motivation: to have the opportunity to stand here at this podium to announce my choice, rather than some fate that was decided for me. In that regard, the race car wasn’t my goal, it was merely the vehicle that got me here today. I wanted to be able to make that decision myself about when I would retire and not have it made for me.”
Earnhardt’s NASCAR career has been marked with many successes, including two NASCAR XFINITY Series championships as a driver (1998-1999) and three more as a co-owner (2004-2005, 2014), as well as 26 Cup victories, two Daytona 500 crowns (2004, 2014) and
He admitted during Tuesday’s presser that he has exceeded any goals he ever set for himself coming into the sport.
“At a very young age, all I wanted to do was be able to make a living driving cars,” Earnhardt said. “I didn’t dream of winning championships or Daytona 500s … or working with one of the best owners in the business, driving for one of the best organizations. I just wanted to do it. I just wanted to be able to do it. I was afraid of not being able to do it. So in that regard, I’ve accomplished way more than I’ve ever dreamed and way more than I ever thought I’d accomplish.”
“So I’m good, you know? I’m good on that front. I’m so blessed and fortunate as far as what I was able to achieve. … Yeah, there’s been some tears. The hardest part was telling Rick. But this isn’t the end of the road, by any means.”
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