HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 18: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AXALTA Chevrolet, drives through the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 18, 2017 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Dale Earnhardt Jr discusses 2017 season, ahead of final race
Racing News
Light at the end of the tunnel for Chevrolet
Today, Dale Earnhardt Jr runs his final race as a full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver. The final race will take place in the season ending event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“We just had a down year. We’ve struggled, as a group. As a manufacture,” Dale Earnhardt Jr told reporters at the Homestead-Miami Speedway media center.
“There’s a light at the end of the tunnel with that Camaro. I wish I could’ve got the Camaro a couple years ago.”
William Byron claimed the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship in the Chevy Camaro. In addition, JR Motorsports swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the driver’s standings.
“But, I think there’s better days ahead for Chevrolet and HMS for sure. It’s just been a difficult year, across the board, for all of us.”
“In the last several weeks, we’ve improved. But, still those aren’t the standards that we hold ourselves to. You know, those 7th’s and 10th’s and stuff like that.”
“That’s just enough to get you by. We expected more out of ourselves this year. We started the year pretty good but definitely had some odd stuff happening with our cars and myself.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr will start his final race from the tail of the field. The Nationwide#88 team changed engines ahead of qualifying. The engine change rule will force him to start at the back.
Dale Earnhardt Jr will run his 631st race on Sunday. He has 26 wins. He’ll have to drive through the field to get win 27.