BROOKLYN, MI - AUGUST 21: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #1 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Chevrolet, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, race side by side during the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at the Michigan International Speedway on August 21, 2007 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Dale Earnhardt Jr notes discussion of JR Motorsports in Cup Series
Shane Walters
JR Motorsports could make a move to the NASCAR Cup Series
In 2005, JR Motorsports opened with ownership from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick and Kelley Earnhardt Miller. Technically, it actually began in a shed at Dale Earnhardt Inc back in 1998.
Currently, the race team fields machines in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Until this weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr expressed little interest in branching the team into the highest level, the NASCAR Cup Series.
When asked about it previously, Kelley Earnhardt Miller also shot down the idea. The interest within the ownership appeared not to exist.
For 2022, NASCAR is changing the ownership game. No longer will teams be developing race cars. Instead, the new NEXT GEN chassis will make it’s debut.
The Next Gen chassis has been in development for over a year. It will be a spec chassis and each team, regardless of manufacture will be driving the same chassis.
The car features a composite body that will also take some development out of the game. Overall, it’s set to become much cheaper to be an owner at the NASCAR Cup Series level.
We’ve yet to see what the car will actually look like. On May 5th, manufactures will release the body shapes of the Next Gen car for each manufacture.
The arrival of the Next Gen car has JR Motorsports considering new options…
Dale Earnhardt Jr comments on adding NASCAR Cup Series operation
“With the new car coming in, me and my sister have certainly talked a little bit about whether that presents an opportunity for JR Motorsport to go into the Cup Series,” Dale Earnhardt Jr said.
“I think the charter makes it a big challenge for us. That’s a huge financial challenge for anybody trying to get involved in the Cup Series.”
“We’re not deep into conversation about it,” Earnhardt added.
“But when the new car comes out, I think you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this a moment we need to consider. If we would ever get into Cup, is this the time to look at what we’re doing and see if that makes sense.’ “
“Me and my sister have just had some short, personal conversations about it that haven’t really developed into anything strong. But I think it would be irresponsible for us not to at least look at what getting into Cup—with the big turn over of equipment, new race car—what that means?