Dale Earnhardt Jr: Why I retired

Dale Earnhardt Jr. opens up about the thinking behind his decision to retire and his relationship with former boss and friend Rick Hendrick. Plus, Amy Earnhardt reflects on the public’s perception of Dale Jr.’s retirement announcement and his decision to write a book.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s book - Racing to the Finish: My Story - is available on Amazon.com now - www.amazon.com....
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Episode debuted nationwide in 2018.
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[@KK-ex5zu]

As a life long fan of Dale Jr and his dad I'm happy that he got out when he did. I remember Jr saying in another interview I think it was the Joe Rogan podcast that his doctor kept telling him if you get another concussion I can fix you. Jr asked the doctor at what point can't you fix someone and his doctor said he's only seen one person he couldn't fix if he got another head injury and that was a football player. But still I think and Jr has acknowledged that no way a person can keep getting concussion after concussion and it doesn't come back to bite you at the earliest in your 50's or in old age with dementia or Alzheimer's disease at some point! Dale made the choice in getting out of the car when he did.

[@robertolmstead1346]

Jr. has proven he could live life without racing. I don’t think his dad could.

[@Racin3]

As much I miss Jr in racing, I'm very happy Jr retired while he is still not only alive, but with his head still on his shoulders and not severely hurt or crippled. Even though the concussion side effects are still lingering and may never completely go away. Really hope he stays with motorsports in some capacity, he doesn't even have to drive anymore.

[@deemariedubois4916]

RacinX I agree. Junior was my favorite driver. He is such a damn good man, couldn’t ask for a better one. I hope and pray that he doesn’t have CTE like so many football players. When Junior Seau killed himself I couldn’t believe it. For some reason that hit me hard especially as he shot himself in the chest so his brain could be examined because of that, he didn’t immediately die. He did have CTE. I don’t want that for Dale Junior. I hope that kind of suffering is not in his future. I want him, Amy, and their adorable little girl to have nothing but good times and happiness in their future.

[@balancepoint71]

I got to meet him in 1999 at Charlotte. Anyone that has ever met him would tell you. You won't hardly ever meet a nice person.

[@mynameis9057]

ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please take note of jrs integrity and how he appreciated the feelings of the people who've supported him,the proper,class, considerate, respectful way he spoke to his sponsors about this decision. I wish everyone treated others with this same empathy and integrity! I wish I had a magic wand to instill these same manners in EVERYONE ON THIS PLANET! ! ! thank you Dale and y'all for sharing this with us. btw,go Cowboys! lol! ☆☆☆

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Dale Jr is not fully retired. He drives in one Xfinity race per season.

[@chevyblock550]

For those of you not aware, Mr. Hendrick lost his son, Ricky, in a plane crash in 2004 as Dale lost his father a few years before hand so they must’ve bonded over that in their time starting in 2008.

[@mindcrime828]

They were actually close for a long time before that.

[@RowdyRide]

No one gives a shit. Fuck ricky, and fuck Dale Earnhardt sr.

[@Wyttt95]

Wesley Johnson what did u gain from that lol

[@brianhoule3219]

So , Wesley , .Wyatt , Wayne . Just one question ? Are you all children creating an argument, or adults in childrens bodies that have not grown up yet ?

[@Wyttt95]

brian houle where exactly was I arguing on this comment? Idiot.

[@joeparker7508]

Never knew so much about his health issues.

[@Ka_Gg]

Some idiots don't realize that Amy helped Jr's recovery and probably helped save his life. If Jr. was a single guy (or not married/in a serious relationship at the time), he'd probably still be racing and ignoring everything. I'm a Jr. fan and glad that Amy had some influence in his recovery and retirement.

[@rcracer8872]

@@starscream9683 you're as ignorant as you are stupid. Dale Jr drove the car his last name didn't a name can't win 2 Daytona 500's or 2 championships or 30 cup wins or tons and tons of top 5s and top 10s and laps led that was all JR he was a legendary hall of fame worthy driver and would be no matter what his last name was fat dumb and ignorant is no way for you to go through life so pull your head out from your ass and get a brain Dale Jr had very unfair expectations coming in he did great

[@codeysnow2980]

@@starscream9683 Do you envy Dale Jr that much to attack this man like that? He's done more for NASCAR than Harvick could even dream about. He's shown nothing but class, integrity, and selflessness throughout his entire career. His charity work is in a league of its own. You should be ashamed of what just came out of that sandbag head of yours. 26 wins, 170+ Top 10's, 2 Daytona 500's. 2 Nationwide Championships (back to back). 15 time most popular driver awards (13 consecutively). Riding daddy's coat tales my ass. It didnt take Jr 20 years to win the Daytona 500 either...

[@chrisbruchak4519]

You can see how broken this has left him. He was literally scared away from the thing he feels he was born to do by a very real and legitimate fear. That's a very hard pill to swallow.

[@nazcarcup]

It makes sense. He could have retired earlier. Post-concussion symptoms are scary.

[@dks13827]

Very good. I am also glad that Rusty Wallace got out with good health. Very glad.

[@xThemisJr]

Sometimes health is more important than chasing an Adrenaline rush with a High Risk.

[@rgp62677]

Great interview, amazing to learn all of this and scary at the same time.

[@ihus9950]

You are definitely missed on the Track Dale Jr. 👍

[@justinhall2711]

I can't even watch NASCAR without Jr. By far my favorite driver since he won the Busch Series Championship in the 'ol AC Delco car. Of any driver in any era, he SO deserved a championship.

[@tonystracener9078]

A good young man. Way more fan friendly than his father Dale Sr. No disrespect intended.

[@QuinnDonaldson]

idk no need to compare the two, both did their job really well and were respected in their fields. We can leave it at that

[@codeysnow2980]

@@QuinnDonaldson okay, he didn't compare, he made an obvious and true statement.. He meant Jr is more open to the fans about who he is than his dad was. True fans would've understood that.

[@lyf3warrior194]

Quinn Donaldson how do you not compare a son to his father, especially when both were large names in the sport

[@russkeller8790]

Keep in mind it was a different era and I think Sr. was more focused on racing rather than public relationships.

[@4davidsimpson]

I've watched many of your Dale Jr interviews. Good work. Thanks for sharing.

[@jarredwalker9919]

I've heard multiple people blame Amy for all of this. So ignorant.

[@WCWThunderRosa]

Yeah, god forbid a guy not want to end up like Chris Benoit or one those NFL players with a fucked up brain

[@duanequam7709]

You are one class act. Thanks for the memories.

[@bullofthewoods9374]

graham, nice interveiw

[@rickarra9396]

He didn't want to race for a good 5 years

[@minnipearls3633]

Total class Dale JR.

[@claymac7895]

Classy guy right here. His father would be proud.

[@robertrockwell7581]

Amy got a lot of the blame just because she is married too JR. and it made a lot of women jealous and maybe even some men when it was his choice for the reasons he pointed out is this series of interviews. all the concussions and being scared of his future health issues. also wanting too be around for his children. so you go JR. and Amy your true fans stand behind you both.

[@ralphleo1015]

Very proud of him we miss him dearly but he made the right decision I would hate for him to get hurt and very proud of Amy she's been a great wife

[@bobmurica4174]

As a Jr fan I’m biased of course, but knowing the full scope I’m so glad he got out of the car. Most of us had no idea how sick this guy was. I can’t imagine being in that situation and getting into a race car every week and putting myself at risk. ANY wreck could’ve left him permanently changed, and not for the better obviously, and ruined his life. Glad he’s doing better.

[@Smellydoug]

His wife is gorgeous, but what's with that dress lol??

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Because she happens to be A REAL LADY. Something most younger men and women in America and other countries wouldn't know about these days, as they wear their "daisy dukes" and jeans that look like they're painted on.

[@Marauder623]

@@howabouthetruth2157 aaaand what do you know about being a 'real lady'. You probably know as much as I do.

[@paulyrepa2046]

Jr. Is a smart kid. Smart, articulated, and yes smart. Good luck jr. Ya dad would be so proud.

[@modest1989]

But do you think he's smart?

[@paulyrepa2046]

@@modest1989 no! I just worked out how 2 spell smart, so im using it alot. 😒 ya goose!

[@modest1989]

@@paulyrepa2046 I guess that makes you well quite smart now huh? I wonder what word we can work on next to make you even smarter!

[@paulyrepa2046]

@@modest1989 i was thinking "troll" and or "fkwit", im shore u know all about them, Ay troll? So ive bard u so. Fk off fk wit troll. Lol bye bye! 😁

[@kentstephens4770]

Such a smart decision

[@kentstephens4770]

Amy was good for Dale jr

[@sonnycrockett9900]

I love the full blast volume ads!

[@RowdyRide]

Ad block dipshit

[@Wyttt95]

Wesley Johnson dick...

[@tommygibs1381]

I had a bad concussion and It changed my behavior. Was years before I got right again

[@garybattle7805]

If he was worried about his health why did he drink and party so much?

[@garybattle7805]

Big rick the puppet master told him and Johnson too.

[@dabpressurewashinghomeserv3838]

Definitely Jr is a huge let down compared to Dale Earnhardt he's to nice to sissy and very un manly I loved the "Dale Jr " idea but he's not his dad never will be.

[@MrRubix77323]

He's not his Dad, he's Dale JR. At least he's a good father unlike SR

[@Tabs420]

He looks identical to Philip Rivers aha

[@bretwahlberg1146]

He did not want to be a vegetable 🌶

[@Master-Ganja]

ever since Dale Sr died Jr wasnt shit then he got married has to ask wife permission to even breathe lol pathetic aint no woman controls my life

[@c103110a]

Dale Jr. is great, but, can he ride a bicycle backwards?

[@jamiekins938]

I'm so glad you stopped racing. It may be exciting but gambling with your life is always just that a gamble. I'm sure your wife and children sleep better at night knowing you will be coming home to them safe each day. I'm sure you still feel the loss of your Father.

[@albertcyphers1532]

I never got the impression that his wife had anything to do with him retiring. I always thought it was the dumbass rules and losing his nerve after he got burnt in that Corvette

[@jakev2920]

He’s dale jr. he doesn’t need to drive anymore, he’s proven his worth

[@stageforgejon905]

It might just be me but does he have a shitty grin on his face when asking very serious questions! I don't understand it

[@jefferyhyatt8429]

my sweetness he’s always looking that way for some reason. He does it every interview, so I think it’s just the way he talks or something I noticed it in other interviews too

[@stageforgejon905]

@@jefferyhyatt8429 it's a little unnerving! To me it is anyway

[@jefferyhyatt8429]

my sweetness yeah it really irks me too, because for people who are just tuning in to one interview and hasn’t seen him before are going to say man this guys a little disrespectful smiling like that.

[@stageforgejon905]

@@jefferyhyatt8429 I watched a bunch of his interviews! It's on everyone! Lol! And you are right. He just has interesting people on his shows

[@FXLR99]

hmmm

[@dovic2293]

hmmmm

[@danielcurtis5179]

hmmmmm

[@StevieLeeWilliams]

hmmmmmm

[@chubbz5150ify]

hmmmmmmm

[@GoldenZebra]

Hate how this interviewer never stops smiling lmao

[@brianhoule3219]

Jr , enjoy your life. If the fans are to stupid to see how much you gave to them , they're the idiots !

[@loganjohnson3589]

Mister Earnhardt I like so many others have watched you thru out your career ,and am so glad you have retired instead of putting racing above all else .Im shure that you have many things to do that will give you great pleasure in life .Hopefully other racers will look at there own lives and careers and think about there priorities in life .I would rather have all of them around for a very long time than see them disabled or worse . I have watched racing sense my early youth and have seen many tragic wrecks . and I feel great sadness every time . So i will hope you may become an advocate for change in this great sport so that this type of racing can continue with less tragedy .Like all sports it is always evolving and hopefully people like you can make a difference in the way racing is done to keep the carnage down and the competition strong.

[@spconrad9612]

Nice job Jr

[@garybattle7805]

The reason was he has lost his nerve ! Never was real good at driving anyway.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Of course all of us fans were surprised and disappointed, but everyone needs to step back and put yourselves in Jr's shoes. Are ya willing to risk your life, health, and family.........to keep on racing, where you KNOW you will be crashing again. It's just not worth what is more important in life. Jr did the right thing, and he had a great racing career. One that will be remembered by NASCAR fans for many years to come.

[@SDGuy1981]

You can tell the concussions have taken effect over time. He just seems off. He’s a good man. Make his old man proud👍🏻 your still number 1 dale!

[@jessebalentine1009]

It really says alot about women when you can plainly see that the hottest women are with people who have money. Really looking for love aren't ya?

[@WCWThunderRosa]

Who hurt you?

[@Marauder623]

Aaaand we have an incel! People break hearts, get over it.

[@bradpolick8795]

He sucked and always will be living in his father's memory... Bad driver, and he wouldn't of made it with out Dale!!!!!!

[@grandslamcards457]

Freezing cold take

[@jimboslice9472]

he real should have never raced at all, very little talent at all

[@phillipmccandlessbp]

50 NASCAR National Series wins. Where's your trophy room?

[@stevem8112]

@@phillipmccandlessbp Above his Playstation lol

[@jeffsandy5088]

Why is Amy wearing her wedding dress ??

[@alanunseld4942]

lol dunno