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Dale Earnhardt Jr. talked about his own and his father’s NASCAR records during the latest version of his Dirty Mo Radio ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast.
As his final full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season is down to just nine more races, Earnhardt was asked if he’s put much thought into not surpassing Bill Elliott’s Most Popular Driver Award record, which sits at 16. Earnhardt won for the 14th consecutive time in 2016.
Earnhardt said it wouldn’t be fair if he stuck around a couple more years just to reach that feat.
“I never thought about it,” Earnhardt noted. “It would be sticking around only for that and that would be wrong.”
That question segued into a conversation about his thoughts on Jimmie Johnson possibly winning eight championships, which would surpass a record set by both his father, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty.
“There’s a little sliver of me that doesn’t want Jimmie (Johnson) to win eight,” Earnhardt said. “I like that Jimmie tied him because I see him and my father more as equals. I think Jimmie is definitely in the conversation of the greatest driver that’s ever been in the sport. Now, I’m biased because I think my dad’s awesome.”