Dale jr. ?

[James2]

With this year in the books and Dale being sidelined with concussion issues, then sitting out the rest of the season. And the signing of Alex Bowman  

I wonder if something else could be going on. Dale in the booth and out of the car? Is the another issue that will force Jr's early retirement?

[mikemodeler]

Lord knows he isn't hurting financially, has his hands in multiple businesses, and doing TV is a natural for him. I know he wants to race, but it will be up to his doctors if he gets in a race car again. I would welcome him taking Darrell Waltrip's place on the Fox broadcasts, after 16 years I am tired of his Boogity schtick.

[Lunajammer]

I would welcome him taking Darrell Waltrip's place on the Fox broadcasts, after 16 years I am tired of his Boogity schtick.

Yeah, I always think the cumulative national I.Q. drops to second grade for just a moment when he says that and takes a lap to recover. 

[oldnslow]

Dale hasn't been relevant for the last 5 or 6 years, got too much too fast, no drive left. he's got all the money he needs and sponsor keep throwing it at him because of his name and popularity. never will win a championship.

[mikemodeler]

Dale hasn't been relevant for the last 5 or 6 years, got too much too fast, no drive left. he's got all the money he needs and sponsor keep throwing it at him because of his name and popularity. never will win a championship.

Much like Kyle Petty, the shadow of his father was much too big for him to ever step out of. I would like to think Dale Jr might have achieved more in his career had his father not died when he did.

[slusher]

Much like Kyle Petty, the shadow of his father was much too big for him to ever step out of. I would like to think Dale Jr might have achieved more in his career had his father not died when he did.

I agree he would be driving for his dad and who knows how big Dale Sr. would have made his race team if he was still alive. I believe Dale Jr. would have had a better shot at a champion ship if Dale Sr. had lived. If I was Dale Jr. I wouldn't risk another head injury and retire...

[CometMan]

I would rather see Dale Jr. take on early retirement from driving. While losing one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history would be a big loss, he is also one of it's most over-rated. It would be much better to see him bow out from driving gracefully than watch him milk the family name for the next decade or so, riding around at the back of the pack, piling up DNFs and DNQs, to the point where merely finishing a race would seem like a victory (like Michael Waltrip and Kyle Petty). That would really be sad!

[High octane]

Junior would probably be better off behind the mike, than in a box like his father.

[James2]

I just kinda think there's more to the story than what's being told. 

The France Family Circus most go on!

[martinfan5]

With this year in the books and Dale being sidelined with concussion issues, then sitting out the rest of the season. And the signing of Alex Bowman  

I wonder if something else could be going on. Dale in the booth and out of the car? Is the another issue that will force Jr's early retirement?

What are you talking about ?, Bowman hasnt been signed by any team as of right now, and Dale Jr is looking to return for 2017 , and is planning on being in the Daytona 500.   There is nothing else going on,  and the only thing that could force Jr's retirement is his Dr.  

This was from Friday here at PIR

Bowman talks about 2017 prospects: #88-Alex Bowman, met with members of the media Friday at Phoenix International Raceway. He discussed his role driving the #88 Chevy, his future plans in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and other topics. The transcript in part:
Q) DO YOU HAVE A DRIVE IN PLACE FOR 2017?
Bowman: "No, I'm still waiting for the right opportunity to come along. There's nothing that has really fit that has come along. I'll still probably have my day job at Hendrick Motorsports driving the simulator. We'll go from there."
Q) THIS SEASON, STEPPING INTO THE NO. 88 CHEVROLET WASN'T THE EASIEST SITUATION TO STEP INTO BUT YOU'VE GOTTEN SOME SIGNIFICANT SEATTIME IN A QUALITY RIDE. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE MOST IN THE WHOLE PROCESS OF DRIVING THE #88 CHEVROLET?
Bowman: "Really it's been a big learning process on how Hendrick Motorsports works - the process on doing things, how they operate as a team. It's been incredible to be a part of it, and I feel like I've learned a lot doing it. It's been a lot of fun and a huge blessing in my life to do this. I'm trying to make the most of it but at the same time trying to have as much fun as I can. You never know when this is going to end or if you're ever going to get an opportunity like this again. So it's been a lot of fun."(Team Chevy)(11-12-2016)

And this was a few weeks ago when Jr address the media

Dale Jr. making plans for 2017: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. met with members of the media Sunday:
Q: In your conversations with sponsors have you start committing to things for next year?
Earnhardt, Jr. "My intentions are to race and that is the plan that we have going forward so we are booking things as normal per usual. We are doing all our photoshoots and everything with anticipation of our sponsors marketing me as the driver of the #88 car. I think that is perfectly on track and a reasonable goal to be in the car and be competing in Daytona. We can't sort of sit and wait. We've got to make a decision. Those types of things have to be decided quite early. So, we are moving forward with the plan to be in the car and I don't see anything that says that is not going to happen. Things are good."(Team Chevy)(10-31-2016)

Edited November 13, 2016 by martinfan5

[martinfan5]

Lord knows he isn't hurting financially, has his hands in multiple businesses, and doing TV is a natural for him. I know he wants to race, but it will be up to his doctors if he gets in a race car again. I would welcome him taking Darrell Waltrip's place on the Fox broadcasts, after 16 years I am tired of his Boogity schtick.

I agree here, FOX should of replaced DW with Gordon and not Larry Mac,  I feel bad Larry Mac getting pushed a side like he did because of the giant ego that is DW ,  there is no need for two drivers in the booth.   Gordon should be DW's replacement, he is still somewhat relevant and least has driven the current Gen6 race car.   I guess the same could be said for Larry Mac too. 

Dale hasn't been relevant for the last 5 or 6 years, got too much too fast, no drive left. he's got all the money he needs and sponsor keep throwing it at him because of his name and popularity. never will win a championship.

Pretty much ,  I have to agree , Dale Jr is only popular because , well, his of who is dad was, just Danica , if her name was Dan Patrick, no one would give two you know whats and a what about her either.   Never been a fan of Jr, and I grew sick of the Jr hype about mid season 2001.

Much like Kyle Petty, the shadow of his father was much too big for him to ever step out of. I would like to think Dale Jr might have achieved more in his career had his father not died when he did.

Hard to say,  but I do feel even if Sr had lived,  Jr would of still been stuck in his dad's shadow.

I agree he would be driving for his dad and who knows how big Dale Sr. would have made his race team if he was still alive. I believe Dale Jr. would have had a better shot at a champion ship if Dale Sr. had lived. If I was Dale Jr. I wouldn't risk another head injury and retire...

While as a NASCAR fan, I would hate have a 3rd year in a row where a big name driver retires, but I kind of agree that this is the best time, and the perfect exit for Jr to retire, no muss, no fuss, clean and simple.  He is currently signed for 2017,  meaning 2018 is open,  I can see him only being in the car a few more years,  I wouldnt be shocked if 2018 is his farwell tour.

I would rather see Dale Jr. take on early retirement from driving. While losing one of the most popular drivers in NASCAR history would be a big loss, he is also one of it's most over-rated. It would be much better to see him bow out from driving gracefully than watch him milk the family name for the next decade or so, riding around at the back of the pack, piling up DNFs and DNQs, to the point where merely finishing a race would seem like a victory (like Michael Waltrip and Kyle Petty). That would really be sad!

Oh yes , over rated in deed

[espo]

I would like to see Jr. return to the #88, but only if he and the doctors feel that he is 100%. As we are finding out more and more about the effects of concussions it is in his best interest to be sure that he is in fact ok. I think he has been acting with the utmost caution and he does have to think about how this will effect rest of his life. I would agree with those that think that his chances at a championship would have been better driving for his father when Sr. retired. Several things happened that put an end to that setup. As many of you can  understand the loss of his father effected him greatly, and then he and his stepmother couldn't come to an agreement on how Earnhardt Racing was to go forward after Sr.'s death. He has shown his driving ability in many races with Hendrick Motorsports. He has some of the best equipment and personal in the business and I feel that if he returns for the 2017 season he should do well. If it is his choice to retire then it would be nice if he could step into the booth. While I like DW, there is a reason that the other drivers used to call him Jaws. He does tend to "rattle on" a bit and tries to monopolize the conversation on air.  I hope nothing but the best for the man.    

[Dave Van]

IMHO Dale Jr is done.  Not that he's washed up or anything.......if he returned and dies in a on track incident I KNOW NASCAR feels it would be their death blow.  So keep him in and around the sport but out of a car.