Dale Earnhardt Jr. sounds off on NASCAR Cup Series drivers being allowed to race Xfinity

Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes the limitations of NASCAR Cup Series drivers competing in Xfinity Series races are good for the sport. On X/Twitter, Earnhardt responded to a fan who was debating another fan about whether Cup drivers should compete in more Xfinity Series races.

“Since the limits have been placed on cup drivers competing, our cars have won more races and our sponsors have enjoyed that success,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote. “There was a time when the regular owners/teams of the series felt undervalued. I’m not saying the current situation is perfect, but it’s better.”

According to NASCAR 101, Cup drivers are limited to participating in five Xfinity races. It states, “Under the 2020 guidelines, drivers with more than three years of premier series experience will be limited in their lower-series participation. The amount of Xfinity Series races allowed for those veterans will trim from seven to five.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. co-owns team that competes in the Xfinity Series

But why do Cup drivers feel the need to compete in Xfinity Series races? Earlier this year, Kyle Larson, who won an Xfinity Series race this year, explained to Kevin Harvick why he competes with the Xfinity drivers.

“In Xfinity, I do get motivated, and this is going to come across like very cocky, but I want to embarrass them, honestly,” Larson said, via Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour. “I want to embarrass NASCAR a little bit because they just don’t let Cup guys run anymore, and the kids probably think they’re in a good spot, and they don’t know where the bar really is at.

“So, I like to go run those Xfinity races and just get 10-second leads to let them realize that they’ve got a lot of room to improve. I think that’s only better for our sport. When those young guys can compete with Cup guys, they’re better suited for the Cup Series once they get there. … I want to smash the field when I run Xfinity. That’s motivating to me, for sure.”

Earnhardt co-owns JR Motorsports with his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Rick Hendrick and L.W. Miller. The team has four drivers that compete in the Xfinity Series, including Justin Allgaier, who won the Xfinity Series Championship last year.