Dale Earnhardt Jr. has publicly backed TNT’s NASCAR coverage during a turbulent 2025 Cup Series season, standing by the broadcast team as criticism from fans has grown following coverage at Chicago and Sonoma. Dale Earnhardt Jr defends TNT NASCAR coverage while recognizing challenges faced by the network under the new $7.7 billion media rights split involving FOX, The CW, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and TNT Sports.
Fan Reaction to TNT’s NASCAR Coverage
The current season introduced a dramatic overhaul in how NASCAR is broadcast, dividing races across multiple networks. When TNT delivered its mid-season broadcasts, notably at the Chicago Street Race and Sonoma Raceway, many long-time fans quickly voiced frustration over technical missteps, missed moments, and a perceived lack of excitement in race presentation. This wave of criticism hit social media and sports forums hard as soon as the races concluded, putting the network under close scrutiny.
Amid heated discussion, Dale Earnhardt Jr.—now part of the TNT NASCAR booth—emerged as a leading voice, shaping public conversation around the coverage. On his podcast, responding to comments from his co-host Travis about fan demand for more accountable broadcasting, Earnhardt Jr. candidly shared his view:
“I’m of the opinion that the race is always great. Like, there’s we’re never going to show that, I guess that’s me just being a big fanboy of NASCAR.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., TNT NASCAR Broadcaster
Behind the Scenes: Challenges and Progress on the Broadcast Booth
Earnhardt Jr. did not shy away from owning up to challenges faced during broadcasts, especially when reflecting on TNT’s coverage of the Chicago event. He openly discussed the technical and logistical hurdles that impacted how the races were presented, admitting that the TNT booth at times struggled to keep up with the live action. The network’s relatively new team dynamic, combined with unfamiliar vantage points, contributed to these issues:
“I would say for Chicago, we were chasing the race. Felt like we were chasing the race the whole time. You know, when the broadcast is going really well, you feel like you’re in front of the race. And I felt like we were on top of it.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., TNT NASCAR Broadcaster
Improvement was evident during the Sonoma race, according to Earnhardt Jr., thanks partially to better sightlines and a more collaborative production environment at TNT. Unlike his previous experience at NBC News, where he felt more reserved about contributing to production discussions, Earnhardt Jr. now credits the TNT team for encouraging open communication and creativity:
“I think with NBC, I didn’t really bother the production truck or the compound that much. I always looked at NBC and was like, I was the new guy coming in… But with TNT, they’re like ‘hey everybody come on in, everybody let’s all talk about this and see what ideas come to the top of surface here.’ I’m learning a crap ton, man. It’s awesome. So I felt pretty good about it.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., TNT NASCAR Broadcaster
Responding to Specific Criticisms and Emphasizing Growth
The backlash extended beyond technical execution, with some viewers objecting to segments such as in-season bracket discussions, which they felt dominated the broadcast. Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged these concerns but insisted that the production team actively works to find clarity and balance in their content. He further highlighted how recent technical innovations, like the use of Goodyear’s road course tires, contributed to more dynamic racing by introducing greater variability and unpredictable competition deeper in the field:
“I felt like we did a really good job of trying to improve on uh what we’re creating. We got a couple of weeks left here with Dover and Indie……. that tire has created some good racing comers and goers. It’s a big improvement over the original tire that we were running before.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., TNT NASCAR Broadcaster
For Earnhardt Jr., the measure of success is continued improvement, not perfection. Even as outside voices decry elements of the broadcast, he maintains faith in TNT’s team to learn, adapt, and deliver increasingly engaging NASCAR content each race weekend.
JR Motorsports’ Dominant Outing at Sonoma Bolsters Dale Jr.’s Legacy
While Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been in the media spotlight for his broadcast role, his involvement as a co-owner of JR Motorsports also continues to make headlines. During the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway, JR Motorsports delivered an extraordinarily strong collective showing, confirming its reputation for road course success.
Connor Zilisch, a standout driver for the team, secured a vital win at Sonoma by fending off Shane van Gisbergen in an intense, closely fought duel near the end of the race. This victory was Zilisch’s third of the current season, achieved through a combination of effective pit strategy and excellent vehicle prep. The dramatic back-and-forth with van Gisbergen showcased the degree of talent within both the JR Motorsports camp and the broader field.
Importantly, the team also demonstrated remarkable consistency, placing five drivers in the top ten finishers. Justin Allgaier was among those notching an impressive comeback, working through early adversity with his car’s handling. This success further extends JR Motorsports’ winning streak—having clinched victory in all three road course races so far, each time with a different driver, underlining the squad’s depth and adaptability.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. commented with pride following the race, contextualizing the achievement by recognizing both the difficulty of sustained excellence and the unpredictable nature of NASCAR competition:
“So, we’ve really just kind of got everything in the right place, and it’s hard to do, and we might not be there forever. Or for somebody will supplant us, and it ebbs and flows in terms of performance in this series; we’ve been up, and we’ve been down. Right now, we’re taking advantage of being on top or being one of the better teams, and hopefully we can sustain that all the way through the playoffs. And you know, win the championship. Be good when it matters,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports Co-owner
As the Xfinity Series progresses, JR Motorsports has positioned itself as the frontrunner at any event requiring skillful maneuvering through both left and right turns, further cementing Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s impact on and off the track.
Implications for NASCAR’s Future Coverage
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has become the most visible advocate for TNT’s evolving approach to NASCAR’s media presentation, bringing transparency and a proactive attitude in addressing fan dissatisfaction. The dialogue between fans, broadcasters, and former drivers like Earnhardt Jr. suggests a broadcast product that is not static, but one that’s actively learning from missteps and adapting to new challenges. Whether the tide of public opinion will eventually turn more favorable as the TNT team grows into its role remains to be seen, but Earnhardt Jr.’s unwavering support continues to influence both the on-air product and the behind-the-scenes drive for improvement.
With more races—and opportunities for growth—still to come this season, the spotlight remains firmly on both TNT’s broadcast crew and the teams competing on the track, as figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. guide the journey through another intense NASCAR campaign.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. a billionaire?
A. In 2025, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s net worth is about $300 million.
This wealth comes from his successful career as a leading NASCAR driver and his current role as a broadcaster.
He continues to earn money through endorsements, team ownership, and partnerships, which have broadened his impact.
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. retiring?
A. In 2017, after racing full-time for 17 years, Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he would retire from NASCAR Cup Series driving. At that point, he was 42 years old and had experienced several concussions during his racing career.
