15-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Most Popular Driver and two-time Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. emerged from retirement in a big way Friday night at Richmond (Va.) Raceway driving his No. 88 Hellmann’s Chevrolet Camaro to a fourth-place finish in the Go Bowling 250.
Making his first NASCAR start since announcing his retirement from full-time Cup competition at the end of the 2017 season, Earnhardt made his 140th career Xfinity Series start and seemed to rewind back to his heyday of competition from the late 1990s – where Jr. flexed his muscle by leading laps, contending for the win and posting a strong finish.
After showing speed in his fifth JR Motorsports entry, Earnhardt qualified on the outside pole for the race alongside young gun Christopher Bell. Throughout the race, he left his mark, leading a race-high 96 laps and went on winning Stage 2 – his first ever stage win in NASCAR competition.
Coming to the green flag in Stage 3, the Kannapolis, N.C. appeared to be in a prime spot to earn his 25th career race.
Finishing third at the end of Stage 1 behind Daniel Hemric and Bell, the team’s adjustments heading into Stage 2 brought his race car to life.
Earnhardt took the lead for the first time on Lap 125 – igniting a roar from the grandstands as the race fans rose to their feet and cheered on their hero. While maintaining control of the race, Earnhardt saw his chances to return to Victory Lane at Richmond end when the caution flag waved on Lap 219 which brought the teams down pit road for their final stop.
Earnhardt’s team lost the lead to Playoff contender Matt Tifft and subsequently trapped him on the outside for the impending restart. Over the final sector of the race, two poor late-race restarts stripped his ability to take advantage of the competition and instead brought him his 68th career top-five finish.
“We didn’t have the car at the end,” Earnhardt said after the race. “Restarts on the outside were kinda tough. We didn’t have what we needed there at the end but I’m glad we were able to lead a lot of laps. We didn’t mess anyone’s night up.
“It felt good to be able to run real good in front of everyone who came out to watch us.”
With no other races planned on his calendar for the remainder of the 2018 season, Earnhardt hinted that he could return next season as Hellmann’s barters an opportunity to sponsor of his company’s race cars for several races – while asking Earnhardt to just one race himself.
Next year, Earnhardt leaked that Atlanta or a return to Richmond could be a possibility.
“I had fun,” he added. “We will try to do another one again next year and we will see where we go. We will be with Hellmann’s again. Looking forward to seeing where the next one is going to be.”
Before the race, Earnhardt was able to soak in the moment of being on pit road with wife Amy and kiss his 20-week-old daughter Isla.
“That was the best thing for me tonight,” Earnhardt said after the race.
“Being with Isla, it meant a lot to me. She obviously won’t remember this, but she will have the photographs and all that stuff.
“I don’t know what she’ll think about my racing career and how that will register with her since she won’t get to experience any of that. We had to have one race together. It was pretty important to me personally.”
CATCHFENCE.com senior editor Chris Knight contributed to this report.
