This weekend is going to be extra special in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Dale Earnhardt Jr. suiting back up. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a track that Earnhardt loves to race at. The last time he came to the track, he finished in the top-5.
Earlier this season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. raced at Bristol. That race was awesome. He was able to qualify very well, lead laps, and compete for the win. If it wasn’t for a fire in his car late in the race, Earnhardt likely would have won.
Instead, his driver, Justin Allgaier picked up the pieces and took the victory. So, Dale still got to go to victory lane.
Ahead of this weekend, Dale Jr. has brought Bass Pro Shops on board his No. 88 Chevy Camaro. He’s excited to get back in the car and compete for a win again.
“It feels good to get back behind the wheel in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports again this weekend,” the team owner said, via JR Motorsports. “We had a good run going at Bristol, and we’re heading to another track I’ve always loved racing at, Homestead. I’m excited to have my buddy Johnny [Morris] and Bass Pro Shops on the car.”
In the 1999 season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was able to finish P2 on his way to his second Xfinity Series championship in a row.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. – can he win at Homestead?
Based on what we saw from Dale Jr. at Bristol, I’d say he’s a top-10 driver heading into the weekend. Depending on how qualifying goes, he might even work his way into the top-5 again. Don’t expect anything wild from qualifying out of this 88 car, they will have to go early in the session, putting them at a disadvantage.
However, Dale Jr. didn’t need anything wild to get upfront at Bristol. He knows the Homestead track well. So, I’d expect him to be up or near the front this weekend as well.
Then again, things don’t always go according to plan. The Contender Boats 250 could very well be a struggle for Earnhardt depending on his car and how prepared it is compared to the rest of the field.
JR Motorsports will have five cars out on the track Saturday. Last time that was the case, at Bristol, three of those cars ended up in a wreck with one another that ruined their days. Thankfully, Allgaier was there to finish the job.
Here’s to hoping Dale Earnahrdt Jr. has a great race and is right there with the leaders with a few laps to go.
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