Many drivers, after they retire from the sport, start anew in a different direction in life. Some embark on completely different endeavors while some simply enjoy their retirement while fishing. But not Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The NASCAR Hall of Famer has barely left the spotlight of stock car racing despite having retired in 2017. His name is still in regular circulation among the headlines, perhaps even more now than when he was behind the wheel.

But why is it so?

Yes, of course, he has his broadcasting career, his JR Motorsports team, and even his own successful podcast. But all of these things render useless in the face of one thing which Hendrick driver Chase Elliott recently pointed out.

“He’s just passionate about NASCAR,” Elliott said. “He can go live on a boat or find a vacation home and stay there.”

“He’s been around it long enough that it’s his life. When you do something for that long of a period of time, it’s hard to step away.” 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. filled in for Chase Elliott recently

For the Daytona testing of the Next Gen car, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott was away racing in the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa. As a result, Elliott’s former boss and former Hendrick driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr, stepped into the Camaro.

Earnhardt Jr put in dozens of laps around the circuit where he won the Daytona 500 twice.

After the testing, the JR Motorsports owner was asked whether he’d try and consider coming out of his retirement. And to this, Dale Earnhardt Jr simply replied in the negative.

But that’s okay.

He doesn’t have to be behind a race car to be a part of the sport.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr Credits Wife Amy as the Catalyst for Major Change in Him: “I Was Really Scared of That”