Dale Earnhardt Jr. is anxiously monitoring his calendar as JR Motorsports sits on the edge of securing its 100th victory in the Xfinity Series. Upcoming family obligations mean that Earnhardt may have to choose between personal milestones and this historic JR Motorsports Xfinity Series milestone win. As the team heads to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Saturday’s race, Earnhardt’s presence at this potential landmark event is uncertain due to a previously arranged family trip to Florida.
Rapid Success Brings Unexpected Timing Challenges
JR Motorsports entered the season with hopes but not certainty that so many victories would come so quickly. Earnhardt shared that when planning his family’s summer vacation, he and his wife Amy believed there was enough buffer before reaching the milestone. However, the team’s exceptional performance—11 wins so far from six different drivers—caught them by surprise, compressing the timeline as only 13 races remain in the season. Notably, JR Motorsports also holds two truck victories from an earlier campaign in 2015-16, but all eyes are on the Xfinity milestone.
The Earnhardt Family’s Balancing Act
With their daughters set to start the school year, the Earnhardts are making use of the last available weeks for family time. Their planned trip to Florida, scheduled immediately after Indianapolis, could keep Dale Jr. away from next Saturday’s Xfinity race in Iowa, increasing the possibility that he could miss witnessing JR Motorsports’ 100th win in person. His sister and business partner, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, will be present should the win occur during his absence, adding mixed emotions to the moment for the family and the team.
I’m nervous ’cause there’s some weekends I can’t be there,
—Junior, team owner and driver
Don’t know how to feel about that.
—Junior, team owner and driver
Family Perspectives: Hope and Uncertainty
During a recent episode of the “Bless Your ‘Hardt” podcast, the tension between family commitments and team milestones was evident. Amy Earnhardt remained optimistic:
I feel like you should be fine in the next few weeks to be there. The chances are high it’ll happen in the next few weeks.
—Amy, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s wife
Dale Jr. responded by outlining the calendar logistics. He hopes the milestone is met at Indianapolis, which he plans to attend, but points out that the following weekends are booked for family activities, casting uncertainty on whether he can witness the achievement firsthand.
Looking ahead, Earnhardt Jr. noted that he might have a chance to attend the scheduled race at Watkins Glen in August, especially given the team’s confidence in driver Connor Zilisch and overall team strength that week.
I think Watkins Glen (9th August), we’ve got a great shot with Connor (Zilisch) and we should have some firepower in the team that weekend. I can get there. We’re spending that week here at the beach, but I could shoot up there for the day to see that race.
—Junior, team owner and driver
Weighing Family Duties Against Racing History
Amy reiterated her hope that Dale Jr. will not miss this special win, but he acknowledged the difficulty of managing competing priorities.
No, I don’t want to miss it, but some of the stuff, I ain’t got a choice but to be at these other things. Not sure how to handle that. They’re going to be like, ‘Where’s he at? Why ain’t he here?’
—Junior, team owner and driver
As race week unfolds, the Earnhardt family’s attempt to balance personal life and JR Motorsports’ pursuit of its 100th Xfinity Series win brings a layer of intensity and emotion to an already significant milestone. The outcome will not only mark a historic achievement for the team but also test the delicate interplay between family responsibilities and major sporting events, leaving supporters and fans watching closely to see whether Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be present when JR Motorsports claims its place in Xfinity Series history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does JR Motorsports still exist?
A. The team now works from a race shop covering 66,000 square feet near Mooresville, North Carolina.
Q. Is JR Motorsports successful?
A. Since 2005, JR Motorsports, led by him and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, has achieved great success in the Xfinity Series. They have secured 88 victories and four driver championships in stock-car racing, just below the top-level Cup Series where Earnhardt Jr. competes.
