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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Retiring As Active NASCAR Driver After '17 Season

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he will retire after the '17 season. Earnhardt and Hendrick Motorsports team Owner Rick Hendrick at 3:00pm ET this afternoon will discuss the decision during a press conference, but a team-issued release stated the two first discussed retirement March 29. Earnhardt is a two-time Daytona 500 winner and has captured a total of 26 Cup Series points races. He has been voted by fans as NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver a record 14 consecutive years (THE DAILY). ESPN's Jaymee Sire notes Earnhardt's retirement will "mean the loss of one of the biggest and most popular names" in NASCAR history ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/25). FOXSPORTS.com’s Tom Jensen writes Earnhardt “moves the needle for NASCAR and energizes the fan base … far more than any other driver.” He is the “one driver who commands national attention” from the mainstream media (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/25). CNBC’s Sue Herera: “The sport will miss him” (“Squawk Alley,” CNBC, 4/25).

THE BIGGEST SHOE DROPS: The AP's Jenna Fryer writes the move will "cost NASCAR its most popular driver as the series scrambles to rebuild its fan base." Earnhardt is the "last of the true country boys" on the Cup circuit, and he is "just the latest in a series of veterans stepping away from the sport after long and popular careers" (AP, 4/25). NASCAR reporter Jeff Gluck writes most observers speculated Earnhardt "would stop probably racing within the next few years," but this is "really the end of an era." He joins Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart in making up a "trifecta of star power -- with Earnhardt being arguably the biggest star NASCAR has ever had -- that transcended racing and could reach across the lines of sports and pop culture." NASCAR "isn’t going to die just because Earnhardt is leaving -- nor will it be on life support." Gluck: "But NASCAR is sick, and it’s serious." The next five years "will be absolutely crucial in the sport’s history, because now is the time where NASCAR either builds new superstars or continues to trend downward" (JEFFGLUCK.com, 4/25). USA TODAY's Mike Hembree writes the news "comes as a hammer blow for a sport that has seen its star power fade in recent years." A list of "promising young drivers" includes Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez and William Byron. However, all "seem years away from being able to carry the weight of superstardom," and that "assumes they become proven winners and start showing some personality" (USATODAY.com, 4/25).  Motor Racing Network's Pete Pistone tweeted, "Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr. -can't think of another sport that lost such star power in such a short time" (TWITTER.com, 4/25).

LOSING THE FAMILY NAME: Earnhardt is a third generation driver, and next year could mark the first time since '74 someone from the Earnhardt family will not race in the NASCAR Cup series (THE DAILY). ESPN's Mike Golic said, "This is not only a person in Junior, but a family, that family of racing. ... It's just incredible how important they've been to NASCAR." ESPN's Mike Greenberg added, "He's been the biggest name and biggest star in the sport" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 4/25). ESPN's Marty Smith said not having the Earnhardt name in NASCAR "is not good," though Dale Jr. "wouldn't want to hear me say that." In addition to having on-track success and being "extremely popular," Earnhardt is "very relatable." Fans "feel like they know" Earnhardt, and "that's extremely important to NASCAR." His absence "will create a void." ESPN's Ricky Craven said, "I don't think there's ever been a race driver -- ever, ever! -- in NASCAR's existence that has experienced and had the pressure and the responsibility that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has carried for at least a decade" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/25).

PUTTING HIS HEALTH FIRST? ESPN's Craven said he was "not surprised" by the announcement, as Earnhardt sat out the last few months of the '16 season dealing with concussions. Craven noted the "consequences of having a history of concussions would offset the reward of continuing to race to your early to mid-40's." Craven said he believed Earnhardt came back this season in large part because he did not "want to let people down." Craven: "He doesn't want to disappoint and to some degree I think he wanted to end things on his terms." ESPN's Smith said the physical struggles Earnhardt endured over the past year "changes you, and he didn't care about racing cars when he was suffering from those terrible post-concussion symptoms." Smith: "When you add all of this up, it makes all the sense. He just wants to be happy and healthy" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 4/25).

TAKE THE WHEEL: Social media was flooded with tributes from fellow NASCAR drivers and other motorsports competitors. Tony Stewart tweeted, "I'm proud of my great friend @DaleJr for everything he's done for this sport. I'm even more proud of who he is as a man. Love you friend." Jimmie Johnson: "You're a hell of a friend and teammate @DaleJr, I'm really happy for you and @AmyEarnhardt." Mark Martin: "I'm really excited for the next chapter in @DaleJr and @AmyEarnhardt lives. JR has made #NASCAR so much better and will continue to do so." Clint Bowyer: "Congrats to @DaleJr on one helluva run. I didn't think they would announce Carl's return till end of year though? Hmm!" Alex Bowman: "Excited to see what the future holds for @DaleJr, think he will be just as captivating and influential off track as he was while on track." William Byron: "Amazing what @DaleJr has done for the sport and the impact he's had on all of us. It'll be cool to watch him finish out this year strong." Dario Franchitti: "@DaleJr sad to see you retire but don't worry, it doesn't hurt!! Thanks for all the great races." John Force: "Woke up to the news about @DaleJr great career son. Wanna come race a Funny Car? @TeamChevy"

WHAT LIES AHEAD: Other Twitter observers mused about what Earnhardt's impact will be post-retirement. His sister, JR Motorsports co-Owner Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, tweeted, "Fully support his decision although I've watched he and my dad all my life. It will be a little different for sure." Motorsports writer John Oreovicz: "@DaleJr will still be a huge asset to NASCAR after he's done driving - team owner, TV etc. I respect and applaud his decision to stop." Motorsports marketer Chad Willis: "Hiring someone to evaluate Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s brand position makes a lot more sense now. A lot." FS1's Kaitlyn Vincie: "Sad to see him leave Cup competition, been an icon in our sport for many years. Excited for him on what may lay ahead!"

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