Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently discussed the departure of Jim Pohlman, his celebrated crew chief at JR Motorsports, as Pohlman moves to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in a pivotal career decision. This transition, which involves one of the most respected figures in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, marks a critical juncture for both JR Motorsports and the Richard Childress Racing crew chief lineup.
Pohlman’s Accomplishments with JR Motorsports
While working with JR Motorsports, Jim Pohlman established himself as an influential force, guiding Justin Allgaier to victory in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. His time at the team was marked by a record of competitive consistency and technical mastery, which contributed significantly to their ongoing success.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. captured the significance of this move on his podcast, saying,
“Are we better with him? Yes. We’re a much better race team with Jim in the building.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
Even as JR Motorsports enters a new chapter, Earnhardt acknowledged that Pohlman’s legacy, underscored by the chance for another championship at Phoenix, will continue to influence the team for years to come.
Jim Pohlman, reflecting on his experience, emphasized the difference that driver Justin Allgaier and the team made in his career.
“Justin is the guy who put me on the map,”
Pohlman said.
“Without JRM, this opportunity doesn’t exist. It’s very hard to leave Justin; he’s a great friend and has been a friend for a long time. We’ve won an ARCA championship, we’ve won an Xfinity championship—hopefully, we’re going to win two. To walk away from the possibility of winning three in a row was very heavy on my mind.”
— Jim Pohlman, Crew Chief
Pohlman shared his longstanding goal, noting,
“The goal for me has always been to race on Sunday and make it to that level and have an opportunity to win Daytona 500s and win at the highest level. It’s a great opportunity and I’m certainly looking forward to it.”
— Jim Pohlman, Crew Chief
Optimism for Pohlman’s Move to RCR
While losing Pohlman is a substantial change for JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed genuine support for his crew chief’s next step at RCR. With the transition set to take place ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, there is anticipation around Pohlman partnering with Kyle Busch in the Cup Series.
Dale Jr. recounted his encouragement for Pohlman, stating,
“I told Jim I wanted him to stay, but I knew that he had this opportunity, and it was great for him to go and hear it out.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
Kyle Busch, who will join forces with Pohlman at Richard Childress Racing, has also voiced confidence based on Pohlman’s leadership and strong results. Dale Earnhardt Jr. added his own anticipation, remarking,
“I can’t wait to see how Jim and Kyle do next year.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
RCR’s Professionalism and Pohlman’s Exceptional Qualities
Dale Earnhardt Jr. credited Richard Childress Racing for handling the transition with integrity and clear communication, highlighting their respect for industry norms.
“I thought RCR handled it really well,”
he stated.
“How they reached out to us to ask if they could discuss this with Jim, they did it all right.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
Describing Pohlman’s work habits, Earnhardt underscored the high standards he maintained:
“He’s detailed. He works his tail off,”
Dale Jr. said.
“Every thousandth of a fraction of a freaking inch in every little piece and part is what you’ve got to work for.”
— Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
These attributes will be vital as Pohlman joins one of the sport’s top teams and moves from Xfinity to the NASCAR Cup Series, tackling new technical and competitive challenges at Richard Childress Racing.
The Next Era for Pohlman and Implications for NASCAR
For both Jim Pohlman and JR Motorsports, the change signals a significant shift. Pohlman’s advancement to Richard Childress Racing is not just a professional milestone; it embodies the aspirations of many crew chiefs seeking to succeed at the highest level of stock car racing. As JR Motorsports faces the challenge of moving forward without one of its architects of success, the broader NASCAR community now watches a promising new partnership between Pohlman and Kyle Busch.
The emotions and optimism shared by Dale Earnhardt Jr. capture why changes like these matter so much. Losing a dedicated leader is never easy, but witnessing their potential fulfilled in new arenas delivers pride, excitement, and an enduring love of the sport.
Jim Pohlman will be missed at JRM, but they're excited to see him shine in his next role. 8️⃣🏁
🎙️ From The @DaleJr Download pic.twitter.com/YNlQURSPFp
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) October 24, 2025
