USA TODAY International Edition
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to retire on his terms
Son of legend created own space and identity
That Dale Earnhardt Jr. has returned to health and full- time racing has made the beginning of his 18th season at NASCAR’s highest level a moral success for the 42- year- old, the series and his enormous following.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017, the day Earnhardt announced that this season will be his last, should be the point of looking forward.
He successfully returned from a recurrence of concussions that cost him the final 18 races of the 2016 season, and though his first eight races of this season have been disappointing statistically, he had projected no outward symptoms of medical problems.
Something prompted him to Tweet early Tuesday morning that he was having a hard think over a tough decision. Maybe his impact with the wall at Bristol Motor Speedway created a problem. Maybe another tough afternoon prodded him to leave at a juncture when Hendrick Motorsports could begin anew next season as his contract expired.
Incredibly willing and able to make his inner thought process and feelings public when so little of his life is seemingly left private, Earnhardt is expected to expound on his reasons Tuesday afternoon in a news conference at HMS headquarters.
It will be fascinating, but it shouldn’t be considered sad by the scores of fans who adore him. Junior continues to define himself. Not many get to do that.
But eight races into his comeback from a recurrence of concussions that cost him the final 18 races of the 2016 season, the Hendrick Motorsports driver finished 38th at Bristol Motor Speedway on Monday after his No. 88 Chevrolet retired after an oil system failure on lap 217 of 500.
Earnhardt said he was surprised he hadn’t been better than a midpack car because he had fared well in practices before the race, originally scheduled for Sunday before being postponed by rain.
It was no way to continue building momentum after producing his best finish of the season — fifth — in the previous race at Texas Motor Speedway, either.
Already befallen by crashes and unfinished races at Daytona International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, where he finished 37th and 34th, respectively, Earnhardt has led eight laps this season.
His health has been good enough — as in perfect, he says — to in good conscience plan for contract extension talks, but his performance has lagged.
Dale Jr., you had your fun, you won some races, and despite all the opportunity – all the excuses – to allow this maniacal sport and lifestyle to consume you, you matured and created your own space and identity.
Team co- owner of a successful Xfinity Series team with your sister, Kelley, and Cup team owner Rick Hendrick. Ambassador, sponsorship- generator, social media tastemaker, burgeoning broadcast star. And now at 42, a married man with dreams of a family.
So it’s not with regret for what you will no longer do in a racecar that this day should be remembered.