MOORESVILLE, N.C. — NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. will step into the crew chief role for Connor Zilisch and the No. 88 JR Motorsports team at Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. Earnhardt, a two-time Xfinity Series champion, takes over as regular crew chief Mardy Lindley serves a one-race suspension following a penalty for improperly secured lug nuts on Zilisch’s car after the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville.
Earnhardt, 50, last participated in a race last fall, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he led 47 laps before an in-car fire ended his run early. Now, the 15-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver will guide 18-year-old rookie Zilisch, a rising star who won his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen in August. Zilisch, a Red Bull athlete and Trackhouse Racing development driver, has shown promise with a second-place finish at Nashville.
Connor Zilisch. Dale Jr. Pure cinema.
What a cool story.
JR Motorsports, co-owned by Earnhardt, his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and Rick Hendrick, has been a powerhouse in the Xfinity Series, securing 88 wins and four championships since 2008. Earnhardt’s temporary role as crew chief adds another chapter to his storied career, which includes 26 Cup Series wins and two Daytona 500 victories. His experience and leadership are expected to bolster Zilisch’s performance at the challenging 2.5-mile Pocono triangle.
The penalty stems from a $10,000 fine levied on JR Motorsports after officials discovered the lug nut issue post-race in Nashville. Lindley’s suspension was deferred from Mexico City to Pocono. Fans are eager to see Earnhardt’s strategic input as Zilisch aims for another strong finish in the No. 88 Chevrolet.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Pocono on a pit box, how cool!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Yes, you hear that right!
After retiring from NASCAR Cup Series in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. embraced diverse roles. As co-owner of JR Motorsports, he fielded Justin Allgaier’s No. 40 Chevrolet for the 2025 Daytona 500, marking JRM’s Cup Series debut with a ninth-place finish. Earnhardt joined Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports in 2025, broadcasting 10 NASCAR races, including the Coca-Cola 600. He continues racing late models, confirming a 2025 start at Florence Motor Speedway and eyeing CARS Tour events. Additionally, he called Red Bull’s soapbox races, showcasing quirky downhill competitions. His media ventures, including Dirty Mo Media and the Dale Jr. Download podcast, further amplify his influence.
In the meantime, check out how Kyle Busch found victory lane on Tuesday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Shocking Xfinity Series Announcement