By ZECH YODER
On Monday, news broke that JR Motorsports driver, Josh Berry, would replace Kevin Harvick as the driver of the No. 4 Stewart Haas Racing car in the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2024 season.
Given Berry’s performance over the last two seasons in the Xfinity Series and his strong performance substituting for the injured Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman this year in the Cup Series, the news of Josh Berry’s promotion to the Cup Series was no surprise.
Despite Berry’s tremendous individual talent, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s promotion of Berry cannot and should not be ignored. Likely, without the support and backing of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Josh Berry does not reach the Cup Series. Such a statement is not a diminishment of Berry’s success and accomplishments. He deserves to be in the Cup Series, and I believe he will have a great deal of success in the coming years. However, while celebrating Josh Berry, we should also recognize Dale Earnhardt Jr. for finding and promoting an unconventional candidate into the top Cup Series prospect for 2023.
The rise of Josh Berry is just one example of the countless contributions Dale Jr. has made to stock car racing. Since his retirement at the end of the 2017 season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been the single most important advocate of NASCAR. I believe his impact on the sport after retirement will far exceed his impact as a racing.
Dale Jr. is a NASCAR historian. His thrice weekly podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, features a weekly guest segment in which he and his co-host, Mike Davis, interview varies figures in and around the world of motorsports. Dale Jr. is an exceptional interviewer, and his profound knowledge and experience surrounding motorsports draws incredible stories from his guests. Further, he is deeply humble and provides tremendous latitude for his guests to speak their mind and guide the interview.
Dale Jr. is an important NASCAR team owner. Although not in the Cup Series, Jr. Motorsports has promoted ten different drivers to the Cup Series, including several Cup Series champions. His team has been the training grounds for many Cup Series crew chiefs, engineers, and mechanics. Jr. Motorsports is a consistent contender for the Xfinity championship and will likely promote many more of its drivers and employees to the Cup Series.
Finally, Dale Jr. has become an excellent broadcaster. As NASCAR moves to NBC for the remainder of the season, he begins his sixth season in the NBC broadcast with fellow NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and play-by-play commentator Rick Allen. Together the trio provide exceptional coverage and nuanced analysis.
Without question, Dale Jr. has made NASCAR a better place. Throughout his NASCAR career, he has lived in the shadow of his legendary father. It is my belief, however, that Dale Jr.’s impact on the sport will and has transcended the impact of Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.