MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 31, 2016) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. was in Martinsville, Va. on Sunday to represent sponsor Goody’s and to sit in on the NBC Sports telecast of the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. He also gave the strongest indication yet that all is proceeding as planned for him to be back in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports at Daytona in February.
“My intentions are to race and that is the plan that we have going forward so we are booking things as normal per usual,” he stated during a press conference in the track’s media center. “We are doing all our photo shoots and everything with anticipation of our sponsors marketing me as the driver of the No. 88 car. I think that is perfectly on track and a reasonable goal to be in the car and be competing in Daytona.”
Given that teams have to have a head start on 2017, it makes sense, Earnhardt Jr. said.
“We can’t sort of sit and wait,” he explained. “We’ve got to make a decision. Those types of things have to be decided quite early. So, we are moving forward with the plan to be in the car and I don’t see anything that says that is not going to happen. Things are good.”
Despite being out of the car for most of the second half of the season, Earnhardt Jr. said life is good at the moment. Coming to the track and being around his team and NASCAR fans is therapeutic, and it keeps him on an even keel despite him not driving his signature Chevrolet.
“Absolutely, it has been a great time,” he quipped. “I wasn’t really sure exactly how that was going to feel being around and coming to the track and stuff. I was very apprehensive and real nervous. I feel like and I talked to Rick (Hendrick) and I tell him all the time I feel like being in the car is what I’m supposed to do and not being in the car brings on a sense of guilt that I’m not doing my responsibilities. So, maybe I’m actively seeking out these opportunities to be visible and be relevant and work with my partners and handle all the responsibilities that we have and have planned before all this happened.”
The chance to spend time he normally wouldn’t have has been good for him, too.
“If we want to go somewhere and do something that we have never done before, hockey game, the high school football game, stuff like that, that has been a real good time,” he said. “Obviously, I miss being in the car, want to be in the car, rather be racing, but until that happens, until I can get back in the car I’ve got to do things to keep myself busy. Sitting at home is not a lot of fun.
“Those first several weeks trying to get better sitting at home not really wanting to go anywhere were not fun at all. It’s awesome to be able to drive up here to do this press conference and talk about one of our promotions with Goody’s to be able to have a chance to go into the booth, things like that are really good for me. It’s not only good therapy, but I need to be doing something. I love being around the sport and I want to feel like I’m an asset to something. It’s very helpful.”
Spending time Tweeting and doing social media has helped him feel connected to the sport, but watching at home on TV pales in comparison to actually being in the car and competing. Social media allows him to indulge a bit in being a “smart aleck,” but he is getting to see what goes on in the TV and radio compounds as well.
“Tweeting is always fun,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “Following on Twitter is fun because all these folks in here are obviously plugged in and tweeting from the event. There are conversations that are going on outside of the broadcast on social media that are fun to be a part of. I’m always a little bit of a smart aleck so I kind of pick and play and enjoy poking fun at what is going on. I much more enjoy being at the races, watching live and being in the booth is a real thrill. Seeing the MRN booth was equally as impressive because those guys have a little bit tougher job sort of painting out what is happening to the public. It takes a real unique individual to do radio.
“I don’t really like sitting at home watching them as much to be honest with you.”