In the long run, it is not beneficial for any sport if the sportspersons are so busy professionally that they do not have time for themselves and their families. It has become a recent phenomenon for NASCAR drivers to have a bustling schedule. As the sport has evolved, the drivers are now required to do more in every aspect. This is something that Dale Earnhardt Jr doesn’t really approve of.

The ever-increasing requirements of the sport are making the veteran racer a little worried. He has witnessed that the drivers are so busy with their schedules, it is very tough for them to spend time away from NASCAR. During a conversation with Tyler Reddick, he compared his time in NASCAR to the present time. He shared how every driver experiences burnout after around 10 races in their rookie career.

Dale Earnhardt Jr opens up about driver’s hard-pressed schedules

In the episode of The Dale Jr. Download podcast, Junior recalled how his dad and his teammates warned him about burnout during his rookie year in Cup Series. Validating his dad’s warning, Junior revealed that by the time he had finished ten races, he went out of gas emotionally and mentally. He said, “No matter how well you think you’ve prepared, how well you think you’ve scheduled your year, 10 races to go, you’re gonna toast.” 

For comparison, Junior explained that during his career, he had a ton of free time during the week to do as he pleased. But now the drivers do not get to spend adequate personal time. Junior believes these busy schedules are not normal. He added in frustration, “Where does it end? How much harder can you stretch out the day and fit time into the week?”

He said that when they enter the top tiers of stock car racing, the current drivers “are in for a huge awakening in terms of what they’re gonna be asked to do.” 

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Although Tyler accepted that he got burned out in his rookie years, he didn’t seem as bothered as Junior with regard to hectic schedules. In fact, he believes that his workaholic nature has helped him in his career.

Why it is not a big deal for Tyler?

Tyler likes to keep himself engaged throughout the day. He started by saying, “I’ve kind of found myself to be the person that has to just be running and doing something at all hours of the day.”

He revealed that even when he takes a vacation, he is unable to relax as his mind tends to wander back to the tracks. He said that he has always been this way and over the past few years, he has tried to use this to his advantage. He told Dale, “Mentally, maybe I was always that person, but I’ve done a better job over the last couple of years.”

Over the years, Reddick has tried to become result oriented by acting upon things. His workaholic nature has helped him gain confidence and kept him mentally stable. And while Dale Jr’s concern regarding work overload among drivers’ is genuine, Reddick is quite comfortable with it.

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