Dale Earnhardt Jr., the NASCAR Hall of Famer and longtime team owner, is stepping into the role of crew chief for Connor Zilisch at the Xfinity Series race this weekend at Pocono Raceway. The unexpected move unites Earnhardt with Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevrolet after Trackhouse Racing’s Mardy Lindley, Zilisch’s regular crew chief, was sidelined by a one-race suspension, and reached out to Earnhardt, a childhood friend, to fill the gap for Saturday’s competition.
Earnhardt Accepts Last-Minute Crew Chief Role After Suspension
Earnhardt’s addition to the pit box came after Lindley personally asked him to step in, highlighting the strong bond between the two, which goes back to their early days in racing. At first, Earnhardt didn’t realize the request was genuine. However, when he found himself taking part in pit stop practice on Thursday at Pocono Raceway, the reality of the situation set in and he recognized the seriousness of his temporary new job.
“He was just like, ‘Hey, you ought to do it,’”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
Though Earnhardt is well-known for his work behind the wheel and as a team leader, this marks the first time he’ll officially serve as a crew chief on race day. Despite the high-profile nature of the role, he has openly admitted most of the technical responsibilities will still be handled by the remaining crew, many of whom work under Mardy Lindley and are well-versed in the day-to-day demands of a NASCAR race. Earnhardt has said his job is mostly to step in, hold things together, and provide a familiar leadership presence in Lindley’s absence.
“And they have it all sorted out, it’s all pretty straightforward on what needs to happen and we have a really good group of guys that are underneath Mardy that know exactly what needs to go on during the race. So it’s not like I’m really going to be steering the ship, but somebody needs to be there.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
Getting Hands-On in the Pit and Facing New Pressures
Earnhardt will not just take on strategic duties during the Pocono event. He’ll also join the pit crew, specifically rolling the left front tire from behind the pit wall to the tire changer, immersing himself in the physical demands of the role while Zilisch pilots the No. 88 Chevrolet. Despite some initial nerves, Earnhardt admitted to feeling a bit more self-assured following Thursday’s practice.
“Not that I won’t screw it up, but I’m feeling more confident now,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
“(Steve) Letarte said he’d come hang out. So if I pass out from anxiety, Letarte can just take over. But it should be an incredible adrenaline rush of excitement just to be kind of part of the team.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
While the title of crew chief brings with it high expectations, Earnhardt clarified he will be crew chief in name alone for this race. The workload traditionally handled by Lindley will be spread across several members of the group, with Earnhardt stepping in to motivate and support rather than steer race strategy solo.
Seeing NASCAR’s Challenges from a New Perspective
Earnhardt explained that taking on the role of crew chief, even for one race, allows him to better appreciate the multiple viewpoints and responsibilities within the sport. The chance to participate in a new capacity, working closely with Connor Zilisch and Trackhouse Racing, has given him a deeper understanding of the team’s dynamics and the pressures faced away from the driver’s seat.
“All these different perspectives give you appreciation for the sport in different ways,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
“Seeing it from a crew chief’s perspective is something that is terribly intimidating.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
What’s Next for Earnhardt and Zilisch After Pocono?
Earnhardt’s appearance as Zilisch’s crew chief at the Xfinity Series Pocono event is expected to be a one-time event for now. However, Earnhardt has suggested that should he find satisfaction in the new role, there is always the possibility of exploring it further within NASCAR. For both Earnhardt and Zilisch, the event underscores the camaraderie and adaptability that are essential throughout the sport. As the race at Pocono Raceway approaches, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see how this unique combination performs on the track.
