Dale Earnhardt Jr. Reveals His Dealbreakers for His Next Broadcast Deal

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 04: NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrate looks on during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 04, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

As of right now, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a broadcasting-free agent with his contract at NBC running out, and there is no guarantee that he will be back. While not explicitly addressing his specific situation, Earnhardt Jr. alluded to things that he wants from his next potential broadcasting job. What are Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s potential broadcasting dealbreakers?

UPDATE: He’s no longer a free agent – see where Dale Jr. is headed below.

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a 15-time winner of NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award who retired after the 2017 season before stepping into broadcasting. He won 26 races throughout his career, and he won back-to-back Xfinity Series Championships in 1998 and 1999.
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been a widely popular addition to the NBC booth since he joined in 2018. His podcast the “Dale Jr. Download” and building Dirty Mo Media have made him one of the most recognizable and respected voices in all of NASCAR media.
  • Fans are growing anxious about Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s future as a broadcaster. Will he continue to broadcast, and where could he possibly go?

The Dealbreakers

Dale Earnahrdt Jr. discussed some of his philosophy as a broadcaster along with digging into some of what he wants on the Dale Jr Download. His full comments can be found below.

Dealbreaker 1: Broadcasting at the Race Track

If I continue to broadcast in NASCAR, I want to be at the racetrack. I’m never going to work a job where they say, ‘We’re going to have you here in Charlotte and call the race from this remote location’. I need to see the track. I need to see the energy. I need to feel the fans. All that really makes me better 

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

This should raise the eyebrows of many broadcasting executives in NASCAR. Since the pandemic, broadcasting companies have begun utilizing more remote broadcasts, and NASCAR is no different. However, fans have not loved these broadcasts.

NASCAR has admitted that they will utilize more remote broadcasts in the future. When NASCAR Studios was opened in the off-season, Brian Herbst, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Media and Production, said regarding remote broadcasts to the Charlotte Observer, “You’ll probably see more of that in the future”. We discuss that story at length in the article below.

Now, in fairness, remote broadcasts have been primarily seen in the lower series. If they move up to the Cup Series, however, Earnhardt Jr. admits that will not take the job. Also, the fact that he said, “If I continue to broadcast NASCAR” cracks the door open that he may not return.

Dealbreaker 2: Reacting to Events Off-Screen

They always told me you know don’t react anything that’s not on the screen. The viewer can’t see it at home. That’s wrong, don’t do that. I don’t believe in that. I think that’s BS. I’m going to react if I see something happening that’s not on the screen. I don’t think that’s a rule that I’m going to abide by.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Earnhardt Jr. wants the freedom to react to something that is happening off the screen if necessary. He goes on to give the example of a radio broadcast where a turn announcer would interrupt the play-by-play if there was an accident in front of them. It seems that regardless of what advice is given to him on this, he will stand firm in his philosophy.

There is some gray area here. On one hand, a broadcaster can point out something exciting happening off-screen. This may help the director to turn the focus of the broadcast to where the action is on the race track. Accidents are the most prominent place this happens, and one example came early in the 2024 Daytona 500 with Mike Joy.

On the other hand, there is nothing that frustrates viewers more than the visuals not matching the audio. If the visual focus is on one thing, and the broadcaster is calling a battle on the other side of the track, it can be very jarring for the listener. There is a balancing act to be played here.

Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. be able to find his broadcasting home for 2025 and beyond? Time will tell, and hte clock is ticking if he wants to return to NBC.

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The Biggest Losers from the NASCAR Race Weekend at COTA

What’s Happening?

After two wildcards to kick off the 2026 season, NASCAR headed to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) for round 3 on the year. The big headline heading into this weekend was whether or not Tyler Reddick could become the first driver in NASCAR history to win three straight races to start a campaign. Three times before, drivers have won the first two races of the year. Now Reddick, fresh off the heels of a Daytona 500 win and a win at Atlanta makes history as the only driver to go three for three.

The No. 45 23XI team is certainly on a roll with a 70-point points lead. However, not everyone had a weekend to remember. Here are the biggest losers of the 2026 NASCAR race weekend at COTA.

Corey Day

Another race weekend, another controversial race for Hendrick Motorsports’ Corey Day. And it is, yet again, a tangle with a JR Motorsports car that lands him on this list. Late into Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA, Corey Day got into his Hendrick teammate, Connor Zilisch, who was driving the No. 1 car for the team, causing Zilisch to spin out. Up to that point, Zilisch had already overcome a lot of adversity. Heading into one of the tight corners of COTA, Day clipped Zilisch, sending him around and effectively ending his contention for the race win.

After the incident, Connor Zilisch came over the radio and called Day a “total hack” and then, after the race, told reporters that he expects and deserves an apology. Day was a good sport about it all, owning up to his mistakes. But it’s just another week of Day barreling through his competitors that makes this a weekend he’d likely rather forget. To his credit, though, despite the issues, he still managed a top 5 finish. So, at least there’s that.

Connor Zilisch

Unfortunately, Connor Zilisch makes the list. There was a lot of buzz around Connor Zilisch heading into the weekend, considering his dominance on road courses last year in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. I think that many fans viewed Saturday’s race as a cakewalk for the young phenom, while others thought that the odds were in his favor to capture his first win on Sunday. Unfortunately for him, none of that came to fruition. While Saturday’s race looked like another SVG/Connor Zilisch thriller in the making, mechanical issues put the driver of the No. 1 car behind the 8-ball. Not to mention a late race incident with Corey Day and Saturday could be considered the win that could have been for Zilisch.

Sunday wasn’t much better. He did manage to keep his nose clean, so there was that. But he was more or less a non-factor most of the race. He started in the back and was able to work his way up and contend for a top 10 finish in the closing laps. Unfortunately, all he could manage was a 14th-place finish.

Shane van Gisbergen

Undeniably, the odds-on favorite going into today’s race had to be the one, the only, the NASCAR King of the Road himself, Shane van Gisbergen. Despite win-and-you’re-in being a thing of the past, many fan still expect SVG to make the 16-driver Chase for the Cup later this year based on sheer wins at road course races alone. His first opportunity came early with COTA being the third race of the season. Unfortunately, despite winning handily in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, he wasn’t able to get the job done on Sunday. He was in prime position to win his seventh career cup win but, unfortunately, the stars didn’t align. He was forced to settle for a runner-up finish.

The Entire Cup Series Field (besides Tyler Reddick)

The story going into this weekend’s race at COTA was will Tyler Reddick be able to do the impossible and become the first driver in history to win the first three races of the season. It was a tall order, for sure, but the fact that he scored the pole on Saturday must have put a pep in his step. Early on, he was far from the fastest. As the race wore on, though, he got better and better, ultimately able to outduel the King of the Road, SVG on his own turf.

Because of Reddick’s dominant performance, the last loser on our list this week is the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field. They just did not rise to the occasion, and Tyler Reddick managed to capitalize to make history. Now, they just need to go to Phoenix next week and prevent him from going four in a row. At this rate, though, Reddick might actually embarrass the field once again.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

These are the All-Time Lap Leaders and Track Records at Circuit of the Americas

What’s Happening?

In this post, we’re breaking down the top 10 all-time lap leaders at Circuit of the Americas, along with key stats, besides reviewing the top 15 active drivers with the most laps led at the track. And that’s not all; we’re also examining some of COTA’s historic track records and the names still holding them, so stick around until the end to check them out

1st. Tyler Reddick – 111 [24.3%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
6456234.02.0
2nd. William Byron – 72 [15.7%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
6456127.39.3
3rd. Kyle Busch – 54 [11.8%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64560011.013.7
4th. Ross Chastain – 49 [10.7%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64541010.510.8
5th. Shane van Gisbergen – 25 [9.6%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
3258009.310.3
6th. Christopher Bell – 18 [4.3%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64181013.010.3
T7th. Joey Logano – 17 [3.7%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64560018.717.5
T7th. Austin Cindric – 17 [3.7%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64560019.015.2
9th. Daniel Suarez – 16 [3.9%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64030029.311.5
10th. Ryan Blaney – 12 [2.6%]
RacesLaps RunWinsPolesAvg. FinishAvg. Start
64560013.817.5

Top 10 Active Drivers Rank

  • 1st. Tyler Reddick (111)
  • 2nd. William Byron (72)
  • 2nd. Kyle Busch (54)
  • 4th. Ross Chastain (49)
  • 5th. Shane van Gisbergen (25)
  • 6th. Christopher Bell (18)
  • T7th. Joey Logano (17)
  • T7h. Austin Cindric (17)
  • 9th. Daniel Suarez (16)
  • 10th. Ryan Blaney (12)

Track Records

  • Most Races: Multiple drivers (6)
  • Most Laps Run: Multiple drivers (456)
  • Most Laps Led: Tyler Reddick (111)
  • Most Wins: Tyler Reddick (2)
  • Most Poles: Tyler Reddick (3)
  • Most Top 5s: Tyler Reddick (5)
  • Most Top 10s: Tyler Reddick (6)
  • Most Lead Lap Finishes: Multiple drivers (6)
  • Qualifying Lap Record: William Byron | 85.224 MPH | March 24th, 2024
  • Worst Starting Position by a Winner: 19th – Christopher Bell in March 2025
  • Winners from Pole: 2 in 6 Races – Latest: Tyler Reddick on March 1st, 2026
  • Most Lead Changes in a Race: 20 in March 2025
  • Fewest Lead Changes in a Race: 11 in May 2021 and March 2024

Let us know your thoughts on this list. Are there any drivers that surprise you? What track record do you think will never be broken? Join the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube for more updates.

These are the All-Time Winners in NASCAR (Post COTA)

What’s Happening?

Winning in NASCAR is no small feat. Nearly 3,000 drivers have competed in the premier American motorsports series, but only 206 have reached Victory Lane. Of those, just 140 have won multiple races. In this post, we’ll break down every driver who has claimed a win at the top level of stock car racing. In addition, we’re also listing every single champion, crown jewel, and exhibition race winner.

  • CAPITAL AND PURPLE is an active driver
  • Bold and Yellow is a Hall of Fame driver

Last Updated on March 1, 2026 [Post COTA]

Rank Driver Name WinsWin
Rate
Seasons
W/Win
Crown
Jewels
All-Star
Wins
Clash
Wins
TitlesChampionship Years
1Richard Petty20016.6%2310💎7 🏆1964, 67, 71, 72, 74, 75, 79
2David Pearson10518.2%187💎3 🏆1966, 68, 69
3Jeff Gordon9311.5%2017💎32⚔️4 🏆1995, 97, 98, 2001
4Bobby Allison8511.8%2010💎1⚔️1 🏆1983
5Darrell Waltrip8410.4%177💎11⚔️3 🏆1981, 82, 85
T6Cale Yarborough8314.8%189💎3 🏆1976, 77, 78
T6JIMMIE JOHNSON83≈11.8%1612💎42⚔️7 🏆2006, 07, 08, 09, 10, 13, 16
8Dale Earnhardt7611.2%208💎36⚔️7 🏆1980, 86, 87, 90, 91, 93, 94
9KYLE BUSCH63≈8.7%194💎12⚔️2 🏆2015, 19
T10Kevin Harvick607.2%188💎23⚔️1 🏆2014
T10DENNY HAMLIN60≈8.0%197💎4⚔️
12Rusty Wallace557.7%171💎11⚔️1 🏆1989
13Lee Petty5412.6%131💎3 🏆1954, 58, 59
T14Junior Johnson5015.9%91💎
T14Ned Jarrett5014.2%71💎2 🏆1961, 65
16Tony Stewart497.9%162💎13⚔️3 🏆2002, 05, 11
17Herb Thomas4820.9%73💎2 🏆1951, 53
18Buck Baker467.2%123💎2 🏆1956, 57
19Bill Elliott445.3%136💎11⚔️1 🏆1988
20Mark Martin404.5%153💎21⚔️
T21Matt Kenseth395.6%144💎11⚔️1 🏆2003
T21Tim Flock3920.8%62 🏆1952, 55
T23Bobby Isaac3712.0%61 🏆1970
T23JOEY LOGANO37≈6.1%151💎22⚔️3 🏆2018, 22, 24
25BRAD KESELOWSKI36≈6.3%133💎1⚔️1 🏆2012
T26Kurt Busch344.3%192💎11⚔️1 🏆2004
T26Martin Truex Jr344.9%103💎1⚔️1 🏆2017
28Fireball Roberts3316.0%103💎
T29Dale Jarrett324.7%136💎3⚔️1 🏆1999
T29KYLE LARSON32≈8.0%83💎32 🏆2021, 2025
T31Carl Edwards286.2%92💎1
T31Rex White2812.0%51 🏆1960
T33Dale Earnhardt Jr264.1%112💎12⚔️
T33Fred Lorenzen2616.4%73💎
T35Jim Paschal255.9%112💎
T35Joe Weatherly2510.8%52 🏆1962, 63
37Ricky Rudd232.5%181💎
38Terry Labonte222.4%152💎21⚔️2 🏆1984, 96
T39Benny Parsons213.9%102💎1 🏆1973
T39Bobby Labonte212.8%93💎1 🏆2000
T39Jack Smith217.9%7
T39Jeff Burton213.0%83💎
T39CHASE ELLIOTT21≈5.7%711⚔️1 🏆2020
43Speedy Thompson2010.1%61💎
T44Buddy Baker192.7%115💎1⚔️
T44Davey Allison199.9%72💎2
T44Fonty Flock1912.3%61💎
T44Greg Biffle193.6%92💎
T49Geoffrey Bodine183.1%101💎11⚔️
T49Harry Gant183.8%82💎
T49Kasey Kahne183.4%94💎1
T49Neil Bonnett184.9%93💎2⚔️
T49Ryan Newman182.4%102💎1
T54Curtis Turner179.2%91💎
T54Marvin Panch177.8%72💎
T56RYAN BLANEY17≈3.7%81💎11 🏆2023
T56WILLIAM BYRON16≈5.6%62💎
T57Ernie Irvan154.7%71
T58Dick Hutcherson1413.5%3
T58LeeRoy Yarbrough147.0%63💎
T60Dick Rathmann1310.0%3
T60Tim Richmond137.0%51💎
T60CHRISTOPHER BELL13≈6.4%51💎1
62TYLER REDDICK11≈4.7%41💎
T64Clint Bowyer101.8%6
T64Donnie Allison104.1%71💎
T64Sterling Marlin101.3%52💎
T67Bob Welborn94.9%3
T67Cotton Owens95.6%6
T67Paul Goldsmith97.0%4
T70ALEX BOWMAN8≈2.4%5
T70Kyle Petty80.9%71💎
T73A.J. Foyt75.4%51💎
T73Darel Dieringer73.8%51💎
T73Jamie McMurray71.2%52💎1
T73Jim Reed76.6%21💎
T73Marshall Teague730.4%2
T78AUSTIN DILLON6≈1.262💎
T78CHRIS BUESCHER6≈1.7%4
T78ROSS CHASTAIN6≈2.1%41💎
T78SHANE VAN GISBERGEN6≈14.0%2
T79Alan Kulwicki52.4%41 🏆1992
T79CHASE BRISCOE5≈1.8%32💎
T79Dan Gurney50.5%5
T79Dave Marcis50.5%3
T79Jeremy Mayfield51.1%4
T79Ralph Moody510.6%2
T79Tiny Lund51.6%41💎
T79Ward Burton51.3%42💎
T88Billy Wade45.7%1
T88Bob Flock411.1%3
T88Bobby Hamilton41.0%4
T88Charlie Glotzbach43.2%3
T88Eddie Gray418.1%3
T88Eddie Pagan46.4%2
T88Glen Wood46.4%2
T88Hershel McGriff44.5%1
T88Joe Nemechek40.5%4
T88Ken Schrader40.5%32⚔️
T88Lloyd Dane47.6%3
T88Michael Waltrip40.5%32💎1
T88Morgan Shepherd40.7%4
T88Nelson Stacy48.8%22💎
T88Pete Hamilton46.2%21💎
T88Parnelli Jones411.7%4
T88RICKY STENHOUSE JR4≈0.9%31💎
T105AJ ALLMENDINGER3≈0.6%3
T105Aric Almirola30.6%3
T105AUSTIN CINDRIC3≈1.6%31💎
T105Bill Blair32.4%3
T105Brian Vickers30.9%3
T105BUBBA WALLACE3≈0.7%31💎
T105Dick Linder310.7%1
T105Elliott Sadler30.6%2
T105ERIK JONES3≈1.0%32💎1⚔️
T105Frank Mundy35.7%1
T105Gwyn Staley34.3%1
T105Robby Gordon30.7%2
T115Al Keller26.8%1
T115Billy Myers22.3%2
T115Bobby Johns21.4%2
T115DANIEL SUAREZ2≈0.6%2
T115Danny Letner27.4%2
T115David Ragan20.4%2
T115David Reutimann20.8%21💎
T115Derrike Cope20.4%11💎
T115Elmo Langley20.3%1
T115Emanuel Zervakis22.4%1
T115Gober Sosebee22.8%2
T115James Hylton20.3%2
T115Jimmy Pardue20.9%2
T115Jimmy Spencer20.4%1
T115Joe Lee Johnson23.6%21💎
T115John Andretti20.5%2
T115Johnny Beauchamp28.6%2
T115Juan Pablo Montoya20.7%2
T115Marcos Ambrose20.8%2
T115Marvin Porter25.8%2
T115MICHAEL MCDOWELL2≈0.3%21💎
T115Ray Elder26.4%2
T115Red Byron213.3%11 🏆1949
T115Ricky Craven20.7%2
T115Steve Park21.0%2
T115Tim Pistone21.5%1
T144Art Watts15.2%1
T144Bill Amick12.0%1
T144Bill Norton125.0%1
T144Bill Rexford12.7%11 🏆1950
T144Brett Bodine10.2%1
T144Bob Burdick16.6%1
T144Bobby Hillin10.3%1
T144Buddy Shuman13.4%1
T144Casey Mears10.2%11💎
T144Chuck Stevenson150.0%1
T144COLE CUSTER1≈0.8%1
T144Danny Graves111.1%1
T144Danny Weinberg15.8%1
T144Dick Brooks10.2%1
T144Dick Passwater15.0%1
T144Donald Thomas11.2%1
T144Earl Balmer13.1%1
T144Earl Ross13.8%1
T144Frankie Schneider13.7%1
T144Greg Sacks10.3%1
T144Harold Kite111.1%1
T144Harrison Burton10.9%1
T144Jack White18.3%1
T144Jerry Nadeau10.5%1
T144Jim Cook12.5%1
T144Jim Hurtubise12.7%1
T144Jim Roper150.0%1
T144Jimmy Florian13.8%1
T144John Kieper16.2%1
T144John Rostek116.6%1
T144John Soares18.3%1
T144Johnny Allen10.5%1
T144Johnny Benson10.3%1
T144Johnny Mantz18.3%11💎
T144Johnny Rutherford12.8%1
T144JOSH BERRY1≈1.8%1
T144JUSTIN HALEY1≈0.6%1
T144Lake Speed10.2%1
T144Larry Frank10.9%11💎
T144Lennie Pond10.4%1
T144Leon Sales112.5%1
T144Lloyd Moore12.0%1
T144Lou Figaro15.8%1
T144Mario Andretti17.1%11💎
T144Mark Donohue116.6%1
T144Marvin Burke1100%1
T144Neil Cole15.2%1
T144Norm Nelson120.0%1
T144Paul Lewis10.8%1
T144Paul Menard10.2%11💎
T144Phil Parsons10.4%1
T144Regan Smith10.4%11💎
T144Richard Brickhouse12.5%1
T144Ron Bouchard10.6%1
T144Royce Haggerty111.1%1
T144Sam McQuagg11.6%1
T144Shorty Rollins12.3%1
T144Tommy Thompson14.5%1
T144Trevor Bayne10.5%11💎
T144Wendell Scott10.2%1

What did you think of this list? Where does your favorite driver rank? Let us know by joining the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube for more updates!