Dale Jr. says his NASCAR career "has run its course"

One thing is he is certain of, however: He has no regrets surrounding his decision to step away from full-time competition after this season.

“I don’t need to reconsider. This is great timing for me. It’s time for somebody else to get in that car and get out of it what they can,” Earnhardt said Friday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “With Alex (Bowman) coming in behind me, it’s just a great opportunity for him.

“It’s his time. It’s now his moment going into next season to take his career wherever he can go. And mine, in my heart, has ran its course.”

Earnhardt still plans to run a handful of races in the Xfinity Series next season to help with sponsorship obligations with his JR Motorsports organization.

Being thankful

But Sunday’s Ford 400 will bring to a close his 18-plus year career in NASCAR’s premier series.

It will end with at least 26 wins and 15 poles but no series championships. Earnhardt is most happy that he was able to come back from a concussion and compete this final season on his terms.

“I was more thankful to be able to compete this year than I was to ever question whether I should go farther. With everything we’ve been through, with the concussion and trying to come back, the emotion was, ‘Man, I’m so glad I get to run this last year,’ ” he said.

“It was always this is the last year. And I’m glad I get to run it. And, when I started in Daytona, I didn’t know whether I would finish, you know, feeling delicate and feeling compromised and knowing how easily that (a concussion) could happen again.

“I confided in my friends and family and my wife that I was worried that I could get another concussion and how disappointing that would be. So, I’m sitting here healthy. And I’m going to run this last race. And I got all the way through the year, so I feel blessed.

“I feel really good with it.”

On to the next chapter

Asked what he most looked forward to this weekend, or even he dreaded the approach of it, Earnhardt said he simply awaited “whatever is next.”

That includes an interview with former NFL star Michael Strahan, getting a picture with Matt Kenseth – who entered and will leave the Cup series the same time as Earnhardt – and their respective throwback paint schemes and seeing the numerous friends and family that will be on hand for his final Cup start.

And he also looks forward to his last day on the job.

“I can’t wait to get into the hauler to see Greg (Ives, crew chief) and get the car and see all my guys. I can’t wait to go practice with them and work, and do what we’ve been doing all of these years,” he said.

“I like the track and I’m glad we are ending on one that I like. That enjoyment for racing here will keep me engaged because I want to enjoy this weekend. But, also, we want to end well. We want to be competitive.

“We want to work today, and we want to work tomorrow. We want to put in a good effort this weekend. That will be fun to try to figure out if we have a competitive car. I look forward to getting to work on it.”

One last time.