Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 'frustrated' over failure to buy a Cup charter when they were cheaper

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Justin P Joy | Last updated 5/2/24

Since the retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. from the Cup Series, the legendary family name has been a big miss on the Cup garage. Many expected the Hall of Famer to make a Cup return a team owner by making his Xfinity Series team JR Motorsports a Cup side as well and it was Juniors’ dream as well. But for many reasons including funding he failed to do it.

But now a Cup return a team owner would be much tougher that ever for the two times Daytona 500 winner. In the last seven years the charter price has gone from $2 million to $40 million. This demands a significant investment from JRM to make a Cup entry and Dale Earnhardt Jr. frustrated because he failed to invest when it was cheaper.

Recently on his podcast, Junior discussed his feelings about the same when Andrew Kurland asked him about what he thinks about the current Cup charters situation taking the Xfinity Serie charter situation in mind. That’s when he revealed how frustrated he is with the missed opportunity of owning a Cup side.

I’m frustrated that I… I don’t know, it’s tough. I wish I had been smart enough to buy a charter when they were cheaper. That’s the first thing I want to say because I know anything I say after this, people are gonna go, ‘Well, you had a shot, you had the chance. You missed your chance, bud. It’s over.’ And I did. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. can’t enter NASCAR Cup Serie alone

While talking further about the issue of charters becoming more expensive than ever, Junior pointed out that he personally won’t enter Cup Series as a single investor. They have become so expensive for even the richest drivers ever in the sport.

There’s no way at the current selling price that I personally am gonna go out and buy a charter myself. Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

NASCAR’s decisions regarding the charter negotiations that are going on might decode Juniors’ future as a potential Cup team owner. They team teams deserves a better return for the investment they are making as that’s the only way for the sports to grow as a whole.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: