During the recent Chicago Street Race, Dale Earnhardt Jr. warned his JR Motorsports driver, Connor Zilisch, after a tense on-track incident, emphasizing his desire to avoid any pit stop confrontations. The warning came as Zilisch, representing the #88 Chevy, recovered from a difficult practice and advanced impressively during the race, making Dale Earnhardt Jr. warns Connor Zilisch a focal point for observers and fans alike.
Stock car journalist Jordan Bianchi detailed the exchange between Earnhardt Jr. and Zilisch, which occurred via team radio communication. Zilisch, who had started from the back of the field after a wreck in practice for The Loop 110, pushed into the top 10 by the end of Stage 1 and ultimately finished eighth. His drive was highlighted by an aggressive maneuver against Thomas Annunziata, driver of the #70 entry, which prompted concern from his team owner.
Bianchi shared segments of their team radio conversation, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. directly questioning Zilisch about an altercation during Turn 8.
“Did you put somebody in the wall in Turn 8?”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner. In response, Zilisch replied,
“I don’t think he hit the wall, but I moved him. He tried to pass me back after I passed him.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver. Earnhardt Jr. maintained a firm stance, warning,
“I think he did hit the wall. I’m in the pit stall next to him, and I don’t want him coming over here.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner. These radio exchanges highlighted the tension and competitive intensity between team members and their rivals.
Zilisch claims strong results despite heated exchange
Despite the drama on track and in the pits, Zilisch ended the 50-lap event at the Chicago Street Course in second place. JR Motorsports’ teammate Shane van Gisbergen converted his pole position into a win, finishing just 0.823 seconds ahead. The performances from both JR Motorsports drivers reinforced the team’s competitive edge despite tempers flaring amid close racing and contentious moves.
Earnhardt steps into crew chief role for Zilisch at Pocono
In a unique development earlier this season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. temporarily replaced Mardy Lindley, Connor Zilisch’s usual crew chief, for the 250-mile race at Pocono Raceway. Lindley received a suspension from NASCAR due to a loose lug nut incident at Nashville Superspeedway in June 2025. Earnhardt Jr. took on the responsibility based on a specific request, despite acknowledging the depth of expertise within the JR Motorsports organization.
“There’s probably over 100 people at JR Motorsports that would have been more qualified, but Mardy asked me to do it. So I was like, ‘You must want me to do it.’ … We got a great team and a great organization that can handle these types of challenges. Should be no problem.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner. He further described the experience, admitting how much he enjoyed participating directly in the weekend’s effort:
“It’s way more fun than being the owner. When you’re the owner, you don’t do anything, and there’s nothing you provide of assistance during the race weekend. There’s nothing that you do that makes or breaks a weekend or lifts a team’s performance. And it sucks. When you’re the owner, you’re just kind of standing there going, ‘Good job, everybody.’ But this is way more fun.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner.
Connor Zilisch stands out in the Xfinity Series this season
With 17 starts so far in the current Xfinity Series campaign, Connor Zilisch ranks fifth overall, accumulating 571 points. His performance includes two wins, nine top-10 placements, seven top-five finishes, and four pole positions, placing him among the most consistent and prominent names on the circuit. Zilisch’s assertive style, as seen during the Chicago Street Race, continues to earn both results and attention, while his relationship with team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. remains in focus as the season advances.
The recent incidents in Chicago and Pocono emphasize the balance between aggression on the track and keeping tensions from escalating in the pits. With Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s leadership and firsthand involvement, along with strong showings from Zilisch and van Gisbergen, JR Motorsports has emerged as a central presence in recent events, setting the stage for continued high drama and competitive racing as the season unfolds.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. a billionaire?
A. By 2025, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is believed to have a net worth of about $300 million. This includes money he made from being a leading NASCAR driver and his current role as a broadcaster. Earnhardt Jr. continues to earn through endorsements, owning a team, and various partnerships that increase his reach.
Q. Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. ever race again?
A. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is starting to outline his 2025 racing plans for Late Model Stock Cars. We know of at least one race he’ll join. It’s no shock that his first confirmed race will be at Florence Motor Speedway in Timmonsville, South Carolina.
