“It will be epic”: Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains hopeful over uncertain fate of Pennsboro Speedway

NASCAR veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently shared his thoughts on the historic Pennsboro Speedway, which has been undergoing renovations. Initially expected to reopen by the end of May this year, track officials have since announced a new re-opening date for the iconic venue.

Following in his father NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s footsteps, Dale Jr. debuted in the Busch Series (now Xfinity) in 1996. He earned back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999, amassing 50 race wins across NASCAR’s top two divisions. However, unlike his father’s seven Cup Series titles, Dale Jr. never captured a championship at NASCAR’s highest level.

Recently, Pennsboro Speedway released a statement that revealed the three-day revival of the speedway during the weekend of Oct. 24–26.

"WE PLAN TO RACE. Site and track prep is underway for the revival of Pennsboro Speedway Oct. 24-26, 2024. We have encountered a number of obstacles in the past year but that won't change our resolve. We will work with what we have and push to open for the Mason-Dixon 100 featuring the XR Super Series."

In a post on X, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on the revival of the track. He wrote:

"Pennsboro Speedway is still tryin to revive itself. It seemed impossible when we were there to film "Lost Speedways" a few years ago. If they pull this off, it will be epic."

The Speedway was initially slated to reopen at the end of May 2024. However, its opening was delayed by floods and inclement weather. The track is famous for hosting the Hillbilly 100, a crown jewel event in the dirt Super Late Model Series. However, the announcement of its return has brought a sense of excitement and joy for the long-serving NASCAR fans.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. comments on his frustrating Bristol race following top 10 finish

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned behind the wheel of a NASCAR Chevy in the Xfinity Series, piloting the #88 entry for JR Motorsports in the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The former Xfinity Series champion started the race in P13. However, he struggled with his radio communications and could only finish P7. Reflecting on his performance, Earnhardt Jr. said (via Frontstretch on X, formerly Twitter):

"We had a radio harness or something went out under the pace laps and didn’t have a radio for about 50 laps,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. “Swapped out the earplugs, still didn’t work. Swapped out the helmet, still didn’t work. So probably ran about 120 laps without really much communication with TJ (Majors)."

"And finally, they stuck a radio with a short harness in it, and a button I could clip to my chest, and I could hear them and talk back under caution, but it worked out, and we didn’t lose any lap or anything."

Earnhardt Jr. was the top-performing driver for JR Motorsports in the regular season finale at Bristol. Sam Mayer, piloting the #1 Chevy, also secured a top-ten finish, crossing the line in P9, two positions behind the veteran driver.