The Dale Jr. Download has been making the rounds after its previous episode. This has prompted some very intriguing comments from Dale Earnhardt Jr. He is heavily involved in NASCAR and fields a one-car, part-time Cup Series team, so he may yet make a one-off race comeback. When might this be? How about the 2027 Daytona 500?
On his own podcast, Earnhardt Jr. revealed a surprise conversation that he had with his wife. She had suggested that, given his passion, he should run the race himself in 2027. Earnhardt Jr. was caught off guard by this, but showed clear interest in doing so. It’s not a long shot to be seen next February.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Returns to NASCAR?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks out from his pit box during the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.© Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The racing veteran has not seen a Cup Series start since his retirement in 2017. This marks nine years, and it would be ten since his last start if he were to show up at the 2027 Daytona 500.
However, Earnhardt Jr. is not that unfamiliar with racing. He has made starts in the O’Reilly Series as recently as 2024. In fact, from 2018-2024, Earnhardt Jr raced either one or two races every single year in the series. In that seven-year timeframe, Earnhardt Jr. took the green flag in eight races. He earned zero wins but four top-5 finishes and six top-10 finishes.
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A return would surely be no easy task for Earnhardt Jr. He has never raced in the NextGen Car. Granted, he would have plenty of lead-up to gain experience in this car, given that the Daytona 500 is the first race of the year. He would remain well behind the field in experience.
Gaining a fast car would be the least of his concerns upon his return. Justin Allgaier took the JR Motorsports Chevrolet to the Daytona 500 and qualified as the 2nd-best open car, 14th of 45 that gave it a go.
Nonetheless, experience would keep Earnhardt Jr. from having any real chance of winning. Tony Stewart had no recent starts. Stewart would wreck early in the race.
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This will be something to keep an eye on over the next 12 months. As JR Motorsports has been discussed for joining the Cup Series, further increases in starts are not far-fetched for the team and its owner.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
