Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. return to NASCAR next season? Exploring the potential impacts of his JR Motorsports sponsorship on part-time status

Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a significant decision about his future in racing. The former Cup Series driver, JR Motorsports owner, and podcaster went for an interview a few hours ago before his race at the Bristol Motor Speedway. He confirmed that he will not be racing in the 2025 Xfinity Series but kept everyone's hope by keeping the door open for a potential return.

The owner of JR Motorsports took his retirement from racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. Since then, Earnhardt Jr. has occasionally appeared in the Xfinity Series, racing the #88 Chevy Camaro. Before racing in the Food City 300 held at the Bristol Motor Speedway, the #88 driver raced in the Contender Boats 300 held at Homestead in 2023.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not be part of the 2025 Xfinity Series and will sit this out. However, he has talked about returning to the series in 2026.

"I don't have requirement to run next year so, I may just not do that, you know. I will miss it terribly and regret that I didn't race, and probably in 2026. Finally, I can go somewhere and compete in the Xfinity Series again," said the JR Motorsports owner.

Continuing further, Earnhardt Jr. shed light on the reason for his absence from the next season. He said:

"I have to remind fans and people that follow us that I run this race and have ran this race over the last several years because of the big benefit that it is to JR Motorsports," Earnhardt Jr. said. "It’s a package deal where Hellman’s and Unilever has put their logos on Justin’s [Allgaier] car and it’s helped fill out that car."

The Bristol race "might not be the last one" for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. raced at the Food City 300 in Bristol and finished in seventh place. He started his race in 13th position with a best time of 16.075 seconds and a top speed of 119.365 mph. Dale was 0.265 seconds behind the leader, Chandler Smtih, but by the end of the race, he finished in seventh place with one lap leading the drivers.

After the race, the interviewer asks Earnhardt Jr.

"You told the guys on the radio, we'll do this again in a few years. So this might not be the last one?"

To which the #88 driver replied:

"No. I mean, the thing is, is, like, I've been doing this with Hellman's and Unilever, great partner, been doing this. Well, I'll run one race, and they'll, they'll do about, you know, six or eight car eight races on the seven next year. They said, hey, you know we're gonna do the races. Don't need you to run. I said, Man, I just might sit out intentionally."

Earnhardt Jr. further mentioned he will focus on his broadcast, which will be his priority for the next season. He also highlighted that he is going to miss racing in the 2025 season but will return in 2026.