Dale Earnhardt Jr. Opens Up About Being a NASCAR Team Owner and Crew Chief
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped in as a crew chief for 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, giving him the unique perspectives of having been a crew chief and a team owner.
Earnhardt owns JR Motorsports - a racing team that gives young drivers an opportunity in the Xfinity Series.
Ahead of the Pocono race, Earnhardt Jr. broke down the differences between serving as an owner and crew chief:
"It's way more fun than being the owner," Earnhardt told Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.
"When you're the owner, you don't do anything, and there's nothing you provide of assistance during the race weekend. There's nothing that you do that makes or breaks a weekend or lifts a team's performance. And it sucks.
"I used to be a driver and have a role, and when you win, you get out [of the car] and go, 'I was part of that.' When you're the owner, you're just kind of standing there going, 'Good job, everybody.' But this is way more fun."
The former driver stepped into the role after the team's regular crew chief, Mardy Lindley, was suspended for Zilisch's No. 88 car lacking two lug nuts during the race in Nashville.
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, and JR Motorsports team owner, and fill-in crew chief Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 250...
Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, and JR Motorsports team owner, and fill-in crew chief Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway on June 21, 2025 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. More
Photo byEarnhardt Jr. was offered the role by Lindley, who convinced him to take on the role.
"There's probably over 100 people at JR Motorsports that would have been more qualified, but Mardy asked me to do it," he added.
"So I was like, 'You must want me to do it.' ... We got a great team and a great organization that can handle these types of challenges. Should be no problem.
"I've sat on plenty of pit boxes, but it should be cool to see it from this perspective."
Great quote from Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the difference between being an owner and crew chief, and why he's finding more enjoyment in the latter role as he steps in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch this weekend. https://t.co/tNyhntJ2ov pic.twitter.com/mevcGpcAPS — Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) June 21, 2025
Despite never working the role, Earnhardt Jr. led Zilisch to a race win. Zilisch was in third place at the restart during the final stages of the race.
He managed to quickly gain a place once it got underway again and battled with Jesse Love for the wine. With four laps left, Zilisch overtook Love for the lead and delivered a race win.
After getting a win in his debut, Earnhardt Jr. took the humble path and gave credit to the racing team.
"When we have an issue like this with somebody being suspended, they know what to do. Just a great job putting us in a position to succeed," Earnhardt told The CW Sports broadcaster Dillon Welch.
The 18-year-old opted to give his boss some props on doing a good job.
"Dale Jr, not too bad on the box," Zilisch said after the win.
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