Dale Earnhardt Jr. recounted a peculiar incident during his role as a presenter at the 2025 Chicago Street Race, highlighting an unusual broadcasting arrangement. The NASCAR event, which marked the final year for Chicago on the series schedule, was aired by TNT Sports after the recent move away from Amazon Prime Video, and Earnhardt’s presence in the Chicago booth drew attention once more to the sport’s evolving broadcast style. As a respected figure who has shifted from racing to providing expert analysis, Earnhardt Jr. found himself in an atypical situation—his insights about the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chicago booth experience have since sparked conversation throughout the NASCAR community.
A Different Approach to NASCAR Race Presentation
NASCAR’s transition from traditional broadcasting models to innovative presentation techniques was on display for the Chicago Street Race, and TNT Sports sought to bring a fresh perspective to viewers. Earnhardt, now 50 and semi-retired from driving, has consistently played a vital part in covering races, but this most recent booth setup was far from normal. Instead of occupying a standard tower or press area with full race visibility, Earnhardt’s team was positioned inside a trailer about a block away from the track.
While the location was equipped with a large screen broadcasting multiple camera angles, it left Earnhardt feeling out of touch with the live intensity, making his responsibilities much harder. He described being unable to observe incidents firsthand and felt disconnected from unfolding events. As he explained on his podcast, he was forced to rely on video feeds, unable to gauge on his own whether a crash or issue had occurred on the circuit.
“We were in a trailer about a block from the track. And you know, we had all the cameras on a big screen, but I can’t look at those cameras and go, ‘Okay, is anybody spinning out? Has anybody hit a wall?’ I’ve got to look at the production and talk about what’s on the, you know, the camera or what’s on TV.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Presenter
Adjustment and Communication Challenges
To manage this setup, Earnhardt improvised by having a friend stationed in the booth with a whiteboard, whose job was to monitor the cameras for any developing incidents. The friend’s role was to alert presenters about noteworthy happenings by jotting notes on the board, which the team would then pass along to the broadcast director or producer. This would prompt camera crews to shift focus and provide live coverage when situations arose on the Chicago circuit.
The indirect process made for a disjointed experience both for presenters and viewers. Where experts like Earnhardt typically provide foresight and real-time analysis, they instead found themselves reacting only to what the television audience could already see. This diminished the value that specialists like Earnhardt and other experts bring to live sporting broadcasts and, in his view, reduced commentary to a purely reactive exercise.
Broader Impacts on NASCAR Broadcasts and Audience Engagement
The scenario described by Earnhardt at the Grant Park 165 raises questions about how NASCAR and its partners, such as TNT Sports, may adapt presentation styles to better balance innovation and expert coverage going forward. Moving presenters away from direct race visibility appears to conflict with the ability of experts to add value for fans and audiences, who depend on timely, insightful commentary during races.
While the shift from Amazon Prime Video to TNT Sports represents efforts by NASCAR to update its broadcasting reach and style, unexpected obstacles like those highlighted by Earnhardt Jr. demonstrate the importance of keeping curation and analysis at the center of coverage. Chicago’s final race of the current contract saw a unique, if not controversial, approach—leaving fans, presenters, and organizations evaluating what practices serve the sport best in future seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. a billionaire?
A. In 2025, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is believed to have a net worth of $300 million. This wealth comes from his successful NASCAR driving career and current broadcasting role. Additionally, he continues to earn through endorsements, owning part of a racing team, and forming partnerships that broaden his reach.
Q. Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. race in 2025?
A. On Thursday, a new date was shared for his Late Model schedule in 2025. Earnhardt Jr. will drive a car sponsored by Sun Drop. He will lead the No. 8 JR Motorsports car at Tri-County Speedway. The zMAX CARS Tour will take place in Granite Falls, North Carolina, on October 4.
Q. Did Dale Earnhardt Jr. retire?
A. After retiring from full-time NASCAR driving, he started working as a commentator for NASCAR on NBC in 2018. When his NBC contract ended in 2023, he joined Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports for new NASCAR coverage in their 2025 TV contract.
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. still retired?
A. Earnhardt, who is 50 years old, stopped racing full-time in NASCAR in 2017. However, he has participated in at least one Xfinity Series race annually since then.
