Dale Earnhardt Jr. co-owns JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kelley Earnhardt Miller and it is well-known that the organization is seeking an opportunity to acquire a charter for the NASCAR Cup Series.
However, Earnhardt Jr.’s latest comments on his podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, are eye-opening.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals he is ‘not 100% sure’ about becoming a NASCAR Cup Series owner
Earnhardt Jr. is one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers in history which makes his comments and actions louder than others in his post-driving career. This has been the case as he joined the NBC Sports booth and a podcast.
As stated above, the Hall-of-Famer has a NASCAR Xfinity Series team which makes it a popular pick to make the jump to the NASCAR Cup Series. This has been the case as JR Motorsports is trying but won’t pay an arm and a leg to make it happen.
However, Earnhardt Jr. recently revealed his two dreams and neither is owning a full-time Cup Series team. He wants to field a car in the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 as it would be better than owning a team long-term.
It was interesting to hear the 48-year-old owner comment he would rather check that box instead. In turn, Earnahrdt Jr. talked about his desire to become a Cup Series owner and it may surprise people.
“I’m not 100% sure I ever want to be a (NASCAR Cup Series) owner. Sometimes it sounds awesome, sometimes it sounds like a lot of responsibility…”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on becoming an owner in the NASCAR Cup Series
Earnhardt Jr. has stated in the past that JR Motorsports “absolutely” wants to join the Cup Series but maybe this is his way of saying, “OK, I want to make the jump but that is a big and scary jump.”
It can be difficult to make that decision since it does add more pressure and responsibility. Plus, the learning curve is tough and it will take time for the organization to become truly competitive on a weekly basis.
Despite the cons to making the move, there are several pros to acquiring a charter. Continue reading to find out the latest updates on JR Motorsports’ quest for a charter in the Cup Series!
Related: Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals talks of creating a NASCAR team with Jimmie Johnson
Latest updates on JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Xfinity team, plans for the NASCAR Cup Series
JR Motorsports has not won a race in the first seven races of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series as it has been a slower-than-usual start for the organization. While it has been a little concerning, most of the public attention is directed toward the team’s efforts for the NASCAR Cup Series.
Earnhardt Miller, co-owner of JR Motorsports, said the team needs to figure out its Cup Series plans by the middle of the 2023 season if it wants to have an opportunity for the 2024 season.
It is now April 2023 which means the conversations will need to start happening sooner rather than later. Earnhardt Jr. discussed acquiring a charter on his podcast with Chip Ganassi and gave an update on the organization’s efforts.
“(JR Motorsports) is trying. We’re trying to get people to come off that idea of what a charter is worth. They’re in fantasy world right now.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on JR Motorsports’ efforts to acquire a charter
This is the same viewpoint that Earnhardt Miller shares on the subject. She has previously said that it does not make sense to give away an arm and a leg to acquire a charter if it does not make sense financially.
It was reported in November 2022 that charters are worth around $30 million as new charter and TV deals are on the horizon. This has elevated charter costs so much that no transactions were made during the 2022 season.
For now, the hope is that JR Motorsports makes the jump at some point. The Cup Series would be a better place if the Earnhardt name joined the ownership group once again.