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RICHMOND, VA – APRIL 28: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

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RICHMOND, VA – APRIL 28: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
During his days of full-time professional racing, Dale Earnhardt Jr quickly became a popular figure in the NASCAR community, which continues to this day. He charted his own path in the Cup Series and had a career that spanned nearly 17 years. Before he eventually retired from the premier stock racing division.
Despite that, Earnhardt Jr revealed that he was quite a heavy smoker during his early racing days. But since after meeting his wife, he has quit smoking and made a lot of strides from a personal standpoint.
Speaking to Forbes, Earnhardt Jr stated, “I put myself in situations that probably weren’t the best for me when I was trying to quit. Once you make that commitment, having some support with somebody who can help you with your habit is really important,”
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Dale Earnhardt Jr is also a Nicorette ambassador to help people quit smoking
The former Hendrick Motorsports driver continued, “That’s what I want to be for people going forward. I know how helpful it is to have someone say, ‘I want this for you.’ It’s restricting when you smoke because you plan your day around it. It dictates your life and you miss a lot of things.”

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CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 19: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Dale Jr. Foundation/National Guard/Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Showdown at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Earnhardt Jr now, of course, leads a career as a successful lead analyst for NBC Sports. Despite staying off track from professional racing, he shares deep roots with the sport and its foundations that he so very much loves.
“When you fail multiple times, you lose a lot of confidence in yourself and in your ability to stick to something. You’re controlled by something, which is not a fun feeling. When you take control, it’s a great feeling.” concluded Earnhardt Jr on the subject.
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Earnhardt Jr is semi-retired but is due to drive in an Xfinity Race in 2021
A few weeks before, the 15-time ‘Most Popular Driver’ award winner revealed that he would participate in one Xfinity Series race in 2021. Although at the time, he refused to reveal the name of the track location he will take part in.

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 23: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Regardless, Earnhardt Jr is a role model to many for years with both his racecraft and demeanor off-track. And that makes him such a likable figure, as he shares personal stories that continue to motivate people around the world.
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