Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hard Rock Cafe announce partnership

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is having a pretty big year. Even if he isn’t going to be racing in the Xfinity Series this season, he has so much going on. He will race in the CARS Tour at least once this season, but that won’t happen until the fall.

Just think about what he’s already done this year. Cup Series debut as a team owner with JR Motorsports at the Daytona 500. He has a new deal to broadcast with Prime Video and TNT Sports. Then there is the relaunch of the old-school No. 8 font from Dale Earnhardt Inc.

Podcasting, a new documentary about his dad later this year, running an Xfinity Series team (having to discipline and guide young drivers like Sammy Smith), and of course, being a father and husband.

Even if he isn’t in a race car, Earnhardt is still going through life at 200 MPH. What could be next for Dale Jr.?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. having an interesting season as team owner

With three drivers 21 years old and younger, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is trying to do something very difficult this season. While he is not coaching these drivers on how to race each and every day, he still has a responsibility to help guide them as they develop on and off the track.

Carson Kvapil has been with the JRM organization for a few years as part of the Late Model Stock program. A multi-time champ in the CARS Tour, Kvapil has impressed this season with his short track skills and his knack for road course racing.

Of course, Sammy Smith made headlines at Martinsville. This week at Darlington, Dale Jr. showed support for his driver by sitting on his pit box during the race. Smith had a quiet day and finished in the top-10. A good step forward.

Finally, rounding out the young trio that races with Justin Allgaier each week is Connor Zilisch. The road course savant and likely the most talented 18-year-old in American motorsports right now. He has struggled, but Darlington was a good race from start to finish.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to have an impact on the development of all three of these drivers. Each has the talent to get to the Cup Series one day, if not in the near future.