Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR 25 involvement has proven far more extensive than anticipated, as producer Matt Lewis revealed this week, promising big benefits for fans of the sport. Earnhardt Jr. has immersed himself deeply in the production of NASCAR 25, shaping its features and content ahead of its anticipated release in the fall.
Earnhardt Jr.’s Extensive Role in NASCAR 25 Development
Matt Lewis, producer of NASCAR 25, shared that Earnhardt Jr. has gone above and beyond what was expected from his involvement with the new game. The game, slated for a fall release by iRacing and developed by Monster Games, will let fans experience the 2025 NASCAR season on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows through Steam, offering a new digital arena for stock car racing enthusiasts.
Describing Earnhardt Jr.’s commitment, Lewis explained how the NASCAR Hall of Famer is a regular and enthusiastic presence in the game’s development meetings, often extending his participation even when his schedule is packed.
“He’s sitting in on meetings longer than he should. We’ve been on meetings a couple of times where like his business manager’s popping her head in and being like, ‘we gotta go.’ He’s like, ‘I know, 10 more minutes’.”
Earnhardt Jr. isn’t just a figurehead—he’s assisting with the official game soundtrack, providing key input on messaging for the in-game career mode, and even lending his voice to comment on player achievements as gamers progress in their virtual NASCAR careers.
“It’s been far beyond what I expected; far beyond what I would have ever thought we could get. It’s really going to pay off for fans,” Lewis added.
JR Motorsports and Recent Successes on the Track
Even as Earnhardt Jr. scales back on racing in person, he remains a pivotal figure within NASCAR’s landscape as the owner of JR Motorsports, a noted four-car team competing in the Xfinity Series. The team recently celebrated a significant win when Shane van Gisbergen, former Supercars standout and part-time Xfinity Series competitor, drove to victory in Chicago for JR Motorsports. For the upcoming race in Sonoma, van Gisbergen will begin from pole position, with Connor Zilisch, driver of the team’s No. 88 car, lined up alongside him on the front row. These achievements underscore the ongoing impact Earnhardt Jr. and his team have on the racing scene and the sport’s future stars.
Earnhardt Jr. Defends NASCAR’s New In-Season Tournament Format
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has also taken a public stance in favor of NASCAR’s new In-Season tournament, which marks the organization’s first ever 32-driver, single-elimination competition, played out over five regular-season races broadcast by TNT Sports. The event carries a $1 million grand prize, adding high stakes and excitement for drivers and fans alike. In this new format, drivers are seeded into pairs based on recent race results at Michigan International Speedway, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, and Pocono Raceway. Each head-to-head battle sees the better finisher advancing through successive rounds, whittling the field to a final showdown.
Despite the innovative structure, some fans voiced frustration at the amount of attention paid to the tournament bracket during broadcasts. Addressing criticism on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. responded passionately and directly.
“Why are you f**king complaining about this bracket? There are people saying that there’s too much talk about the bracket. But it’s literally, like, these two guys — Bubba (Wallace) and (Alex) Bowman — are in this thing for $1 million.”
“They are battling on the racetrack, spinning each other out, and whoever wins that battle is going to advance into the next round, and it’s eight drivers, then it’s four and two for $1 million. Why in the f**k would we not talk about this?” Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
Anticipation Builds Toward Sonoma Raceway Event
This week, the spotlight shifts to Sonoma Raceway, where the Toyota/Save Mart 350 Cup Series event will take place over 110 laps on Saturday, July 13. TNT will provide television coverage starting at 3:30 pm ET, while fans can also tune in to live radio commentary via PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With the involvement of high-profile figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. in both the sport and cutting-edge projects like NASCAR 25, fans can anticipate an ever-evolving and increasingly interactive NASCAR experience on and off the track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. a billionaire?
A. As of 2025, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is estimated to have a net worth of $300 million. This wealth comes from his successful career as a leading NASCAR driver and his current role as a broadcaster. Additionally, he continues to earn money from endorsements, team ownership, and various partnerships that help increase his impact in the industry.
Q. Who is the richest guy in NASCAR? Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the richest guy in NASCAR with an estimated net worth of $300 million.
A. As of now, the wealthiest individual in NASCAR is Rick Hendrick. He gained his fortune through Hendrick Motorsports and a chain of successful car dealerships.
Q. Did Dale Earnhardt Jr. retire?
A. After retiring from full-time NASCAR driving, he started working as a color commentator for NBC in 2018. When his NBC contract ended after the 2023 season, he joined Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports for NASCAR’s new TV deal starting in 2025.
