Dale Earnhardt Jr., the NASCAR Hall of Famer and owner of JR Motorsports (JRM), recently named Justin Allgaier as his preferred driver for a potential future Cup Series team. Earnhardt Jr., who has built one of the most successful operations in the Xfinity Series, highlighted Allgaier’s solid performance and potential to excel on NASCAR’s highest stage.
JR Motorsports has amassed 93 Xfinity Series wins and four driver championships, securing its standing as a leading NASCAR team. However, despite that success, fans and media have frequently questioned when Earnhardt Jr. might expand into the Cup Series level. Earlier this year, JRM briefly entered the Cup Series spotlight when Allgaier made his Next Gen Cup car debut driving the #40 Chevrolet Camaro at the Daytona 500, finishing ninth, which impressed many observers.
Earnhardt Highlights Allgaier’s Capabilities and Experience
During a fan event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Earnhardt Jr. was asked about the possibility of fielding a full-time Cup team and which driver he would select. He expressed strong confidence in Allgaier’s abilities and experience behind the wheel.
“Well, Justin did a good job for us in Daytona. I think Justin is a Cup talent, Cup quality driver. So, if we did snap our fingers and get a cup team tomorrow, I think Justin would be our driver. And he’s done a really good job driving the Next Gen car for Chevrolet at test and so forth. And last year when he subbed in for Kyle Larson in the #5, I mean, he drove that car past the leaders to get a lap back, which was really impressive. Good little driver and great friend of the company and so that would be pretty cool,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. described. [49:30]
Earnhardt’s praise for Allgaier reflects the driver’s versatility and success not only in the Xfinity Series but also in stepping up during key Cup opportunities, showcasing his readiness for a permanent Cup seat.
Earnhardt’s Priorities Remain Focused on Grassroots Racing Development
Despite interest in launching a Cup-level team, Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that becoming a Cup Series owner is not his immediate goal. Instead, he remains deeply committed to growing the CARS Tour, a grassroots racing series aimed at keeping regional racing accessible and affordable. He explained the importance of making entry-level motorsports viable for local racers who face rising costs.
“The CARS Tour is something very very important to me. So trying to make that as big of a success as we can and figuring out how to make grassroots racing a bluecollar affordable sport again is really a huge challenge,” he said.
Earnhardt Junior also addressed the challenges local racing faces due to rising expenses, stating that it is becoming increasingly difficult for aspiring drivers to compete at smaller tracks. His focus on preserving the grassroots level of NASCAR reflects his desire to sustain the sport’s future by nurturing young talent and maintaining accessibility.
The Cost Barrier to Entering NASCAR’s Cup Series as an Owner
In a recent podcast conversation with Kevin Harvick, Earnhardt Jr. reflected on his past opportunities to become a Cup Series owner and the changing landscape of NASCAR ownership. He recalled a period when entering a Cup race was more straightforward, requiring only a car, licenses, and entry fees. Today, however, securing a Cup Series charter has become prohibitively expensive.
“That charter is going to be $100 million and $150 million and 200. It’s going to go to the moon over the next several years. It was a good time to buy it 10 years ago. I regret that I didn’t, but it’s become this place where only people with that kind of money can play,” he said.
Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged that while the rising charter prices limit new ownership opportunities, the high financial barriers benefit NASCAR and existing team owners by solidifying the sport’s economic framework. Still, these costs have made it difficult for former drivers and emerging entrepreneurs to enter the Cup Series as team owners.
Looking Ahead: The Future of JR Motorsports and Cup Series Aspirations
Although putting together a full-time Cup Series team remains secondary to his current commitments, Dale Earnhardt Jr. named Justin Allgaier as the ideal candidate to lead such a venture if it comes to fruition. Allgaier’s demonstrated skill and loyalty to the JRM organization position him as a strong contender to take over the seat recently held by Kyle Larson.
Meanwhile, Earnhardt Jr.’s dedication to grassroots racing development highlights his broader vision for the sport’s sustainability, focusing on nurturing affordable racing opportunities and community engagement. For NASCAR fans and industry insiders, Allgaier’s potential Cup ride could signal the beginning of a new chapter in JR Motorsports’ evolution, balancing competitive ambitions with a passion for motorsports growth at all levels.
