Reaction widespread after Dale Earnhardt Jr. announces retirement
Everyone takes an opportunity to share thoughts on social media about NASCAR's most popular driver retiring at end of season.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Russell LaBounty / NKP / Motorsport Images
It was the news the NASCAR world had dreaded seeing and was hoping would be at least a few years away from happening, but it all came true Tuesday morning a little after 9 a.m. ET.
This will be a day that Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans will tell their family and friends where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the news NASCAR’s most popular driver has decided to hang up his driving gloves.
Few drivers in the 60-plus year history of the sport have moved the needle in popularity and crossover appeal the way Earnhardt did throughout his career and the NASCAR community responded as such throughout the day.
With these words written in the first paragraph of the press release: After 18 seasons and more than 600 races behind the wheel, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will bring his NASCAR Cup Series driving career to a close at the conclusion of 2017. Today, he shared the news with members of his No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team, reaction came quickly and often throughout the NASCAR world.
Earnhardt is one of the most marketable drivers in the history of the sport and several also issued statements sharing their support of his decision. Among them was this release from Nationwide:
“While Nationwide and the rest of JR Nation will miss seeing him on the track, we fully support Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s decision to step away from racing in NASCAR. Dale Jr. has been a tremendous partner and friend to Nationwide. We look forward to continuing our relationship with him after the conclusion of what’s sure to be a memorable 2017 season. Nationwide congratulates Dale Jr. on an amazing career and wishes him the very best as he starts this next phase of his life.”
Former teammate and current FOX NASCAR analyst Jeff Gordon and others also added their thoughts on the announcement.
“Dale Jr. has had a huge impact on our sport – and you can see that every week with his legion of fans and Junior Nation," said Gordon. "He has a tremendous sense of the history of NASCAR and, while he shares his father’s name, Dale has made a name for himself with his accomplishments in racing. While we will miss Dale on the track next year, he loves this sport, those working in the industry and the fans too much to ever be too far away.”
Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles also added his comments.
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a NASCAR legend, and everyone at IMS offers him best wishes after his retirement as a full-time driver," said Boles. "His legacy is secure as a champion, a winner, a great ambassador for motorsports and a class act. Dale always has given so much of himself to everyone, especially the fans. We’re looking forward to seeing him race one more time at IMS during the Brickyard 400 weekend on July 21-23. And, as a promoter, I’m usually neutral and support the field, but frankly I hope Dale wins the 2017 Brickyard 400!”
Earnhardt’s retirement is the latest from some of NASCAR’s most popular drivers calling it a career in their early 40s. In 2015, Gordon retired from the sport, although he did fill in for Earnhardt last year; while Tony Stewart decided to retire from Cup driving last season.
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