Dale Earnhardt Jr, a NASCAR legend and fan favorite, shocked the racing world in February of 2024. He announced his departure from NBC Sports, where he served as a race analyst and commentator to join Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery.
From electrifying race calls to insightful analysis, Dale Jr was the heartbeat of NASCAR broadcasts for years. Now, when he hasn’t even embarked on the new journey, could there be a twist in the tale? Rumors of his return to NBC are already making waves.
Unpacking the rumors of Dale Jr’s return to NBC
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Speculations have been rampant about Dale Jr’s exit from NBC earlier this Feb. Some people even cited that NBC had asked him to provide commentary from a remote booth or that he was ‘scolded’. These were considered the reasons behind Dale Jr’s exit for a while. However, Dale Jr quickly dismissed these rumors, stating that there were no frustrations with NBC. In a recent segment of ‘Dale Jr Download’, Junior expressed how much he missed being in the booth, praising NBC’s coverage and hinting at a potential return to broadcasting. He even teased his former colleagues about their energy levels.
“NBC did a great job, just so good. Yeah, it was weird listening to the booth and not being there. I texted them and gave them a hard time. Told them they didn’t have any energy. Yeah, I missed it, man,” Dale Jr remarked humorously. His candid comments reflected his good relationship with his ex-colleagues.
Much to everyone’s excitement, Dale Jr added, “They’re great guys, and there are zero frustrations or anything like that. I don’t want anybody to think that. And there’s a good chance that if I stay in broadcasting long-term, I may likely work with them again.”
Although it might be hard to expect a full-time commitment from the veteran like before, his recent remarks have still managed to create an uproar amongst fans. As soon as he made his remarks on social media, fans came in swarming like bees.
Fans React to Dale Jr’s Possible Return
Fan reactions to Dale Jr’s hints of a return have been enthusiastic. One fan commented, “I really missed your ‘WE GOT A CRASH!!!’,” highlighting the unique energy Dale brought to the booth. Another fan expressed”, “It felt a little empty at times,” suggesting that while NBC did a great job, Dale’s presence was irreplaceable. Another user emphasized how well Dale understood the fans and catered to them. They said, “It just wasn’t the same without you Dale Jr ! You brought the excitement and real fan emotions to the broadcast“.
However, the comment section also saw fans take digs at Steve Letarte, mocking his accent. “My biggest problem with n b c is they Messing up drivers names and car numbers And they are way too dramatic. And Steve his way of pronouncing words,” a user complained. While another straightaway said, “I wish Steve le tart would shut up“.
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Nevertheless, with Dale Jr’s words, many saw their dreams coming true. Comments like “Jr, you were missed not being in the booth Sunday” and “Hopefully, someday you will be back” reflected the strong desire to see him return to NASCAR broadcasting. And so much so that one fan even suggested, “Go to #foxsports1″.
With nine more races left, fans are keeping their fingers crossed and eyeballs glued to news channels. The question is ringing loud in everyone’s ears, “When will see our Dale Jr back in the booth?”
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