The list of influential NASCAR media commentators begins with a new Hall of Fame member. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has proven. His credibility as a driver, turning to doing analysis on TV, established himself as Joe Rogan for the Racing Podcast.
On Sunday, Earnhardt resumes his most visible role, providing insight into the Cup series as NBC takes over the broadcast schedule for the remainder of the season. This week, he issued a warning to anyone in the company whose feelings are easily affected.
It didn’t take long for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., to make an impact in NASCAR as a driver. He won the Xfinity Series season championship in 1998, his first full season. Repeat this feat the following season. Earnhardt graduated to the Cup Series the following season. Although he never finished better than third in points, he had 26 race wins before retiring after the 2017 season.
His maturity over the two decades was evident. Earnhardt was known to be shy about the media in his early years, which made him a difficult interview. But as he got older and more confident in himself, Earnhard came out of that shell.
Earnhardt got involved in television with Fox and NBC in 2016 while recovering from concussion symptoms. After his retirement, he moved full-time to NBC coverage in 2018.
Even before that, Earnhardt started podcasting Del Junior Download It has become a must-hear for fans, teams and racing executives. The combination of Earnhardt’s name and credentials as a driver and commentator makes it easy for him to give interviews to big names in the sport. This includes drivers with whom he may have collided on the track.
Dale Earnhardt Jr says he can’t be everyone’s friend on air
Dale Earnhardt Jr. admits. That he sometimes finds himself in an awkward position when it comes to Del Junior Download And the door bumper clear, else
Podcast produced by his company. Not every story or opinion on the shows fits the narrative that NASCAR wants to provide.
Earnhardt said he used to apologize and ask for forgiveness when confronted, but this is no longer the case automatically. He carries the same mindset to the NBC broadcast booth.
“Sometimes we’ll say things that my friends I’ve been driving with won’t appreciate,” Earnhardt told The Athletic this week. (Martin) Truex got upset about something or was disappointed in something I said about him. And I said to him, ‘Man, I’m out there doing work.’ When I’m there, the work hat works. And the friendship hat is not on. ”
If podcast content becomes particularly suspicious, Earnhardt offers NASCAR or team officials the opportunity to sit behind the microphone and view their side.
“I may not always be right, but they need these people who will be honest and not be like, ‘Man, it’s all right. Sunny and 70 per day. It is amazing.’ They need someone to be brutally honest with them. And there are a lot of people who want to be that way. And fans are holding me accountable for being honest and honest about how I feel and not sticking to the company’s line all the time.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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