“That’s tough to watch, but our guys worked really hard to do what they did…I’m proud of them.” For Dale Earnhardt Jr. and many others, watching Connor Zilisch fall short of the championship stung. The No. 88 JRM team picked up 10 trophies across the 2025 season, and yet succumbed to Jesse Love’s stronger car during the Phoenix finale. Now, however, there is little time to ponder over that result, as JRM is preparing for the next big challenge.

The Daytona 500 is a race that evokes mixed feelings in Dale Jr. It is the race that took the life of his father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt. And it is also the race that Junior won twice, in 2004 and 2014. And now, he is adding more weight to the positive memories – with JRM preparing for its second outing.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. bites his nails

See Full Page