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Dale Earnhardt Jr. hints at retirement if he wins title in 2017

By Ted Fleming

Feb 19, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) watches qualifying results from the first round as they conclude for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) watches qualifying results from the first round as they conclude for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. would consider 2017 his last season if he could win a championship, likely spurred on by what happened to him last season.

It should come as no surprise that there are questions about the health of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver missed the second half of last season with concussion-like symptoms. While doctors have cleared him medically and has told everyone within earshot that he is ready to climb back into his No. 88 Chevy SS, he may have given the first hint of what his future could look like after the 2017 season.

According to the sanctioning body’s official website, Junior seems ready to call it a career if he should win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Championship.

"“Hell yeah. I would definitely not want to come back and race anymore if I won the championship, I’d be outta of here,” he said smiling. “I’ve always wanted to win a championship so badly. And coming back from this injury, we’ve worked so hard. So to come back this year and win the championship, it would be hard not to hang it up.“This is the last year of my deal. I would like to race more, but if I won the championship I’d have to consider going out on top.”"

Junior made the comments on Wednesday during Media Day for the Daytona 500 at the World Center of Racing, and it would be a crowning achievement if he were able to pull it off. At 42, he knows the years are winding down on his career. However, he is acutely aware that one more serious blow to his head could end his career in any event.

Next: NASCAR issues new concussion protocol for all three series

Concussions are at the top of Earnhardt’s agenda now, which is why he has donated his brain to science after his death to see if he was dealing with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE. It was nearly a year ago that he made the decision because concussions have been at the root of CTE and health issues associated with it.

Earnhardt has suffered some concussions over his career and the one that sidelined him a year ago likely hastened his desire to step away if he was able to do it with a title.

"“There’s a few races I’d like to win,” he said. “But the championship would definitely be the icing on the cake for my career.”"

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