Cup Series legend Dale Earnhardt Jr is set for a shock NASCAR debut at Pocono Raceway this weekend.

Earnhardt Jr is the owner of JR Motorsports, a racing team that competes full-time in the Xfinity Series with four entries, including Connor Zilisch in the No. 88.

However, Zilisch’s crew were facing a big dilemma ahead of this weekend’s action having been hit with a penalty at Nashville earlier this month.

Having found two unsecured lug nuts in post-race inspection that day, NASCAR fined the team $10,000 and also suspended the No. 88’s crew chief, Mardy Lindley. However, this one-race suspension was deferred for the race in Mexico City last weekend, meaning Lindley will miss this weekend’s action at Pocono.

Now, JR Motorsports have announced that it will be Earnhardt Jr replacing him on top of the pit box and calling the shots for the No. 88 this weekend, making his debut as a crew chief.

“This weekend, Earnhardt Jr will be filling in for Mardy Lindley as crew chief of the No. 88 as Lindley serves his one race suspension for loose lug nuts following the NXS race in Nashville two weeks ago,” a JR Motorsports statement confirmed.

NASCAR HEADLINES: Bubba Wallace verdict emerges as Hendrick Motorsports make exciting announcement

This weekend, @DaleJr will be filling in for Mardy Lindley as crew chief of the No. 88 as Lindley serves his one race suspension for loose lugnuts following the NXS race in Nashville two weeks ago.

— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) June 18, 2025

READ MORE: NASCAR star Chase Elliott set for series switch as official announcement made

NASCAR fans react to Earnhardt Jr crew chief debut

Having raced in 631 Cup Series races over a 19-year career in the sport, Earnhardt Jr remains one of the most popular NASCAR figures in the United States, even after retirement.

This is evidenced by the fact that his merchandise continues to be amongst the best-sellers every year, along with his legendary father, seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Naturally, then, when the news dropped that he was set for crew chief duties this weekend, fans were sent into somewhat of a frenzy.

One X user wrote: “Man Dale just out there doing everything he can in NASCAR .. this is a really cool thing .. I’m excited to hear how it goes after he does it. Will be a fun download next week hearing his recap of it all.”

Elsewhere, another user added: “If Z wins it will make for the coolest dual auto diescast.”

“THIS IS AWESOME,” another user said, with another member of the X community stating: “Coolest s**t ever if this car wins.”

Despite Earnhardt Jr’s popularity and esteemed career, there are some doubters, however.

“Uhm, does he have crew chief qualifications? Did y’all check the resume?” one user wrote.

Another doubted Earnhardt Jr’s ability to get the job done independently, writing: “I suspect there will be heavy cell phone conversations on the 88 box during the race.”

It will certainly be interesting to see how Earnhardt Jr gets on and what the feedback is from Zilisch post-race!

Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway, known as the
Explore the Pocono Mountains 250, will kick off at 3:30 pm ET.

READ MORE: Three-time NASCAR Cup Series driver announces RETIREMENT plans

Related

Running on the Power of Sour: Candy Dynamics Carves Out Its Place in NASCAR

Running on the Power of Sour: Candy Dynamics Carves Out Its Place in NASCAR

PR Newswire

INDIANAPOLIS, June 19, 2025

INDIANAPOLIS, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Candy Dynamics, owner of the Toxic Waste® Hazardously Sour Candy® brand, is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with NASCAR driver Brennan Poole for the 2025 season. Having worked with Poole the last two seasons, the company is eager to see even more success from this sponsorship – partnering for three races this year!

As a sour candy fanatic, and fan of the brand in his youth, Brennan Poole will be representing the Toxic Waste brand at three races in 2025:

1. The Loop 110 in Chicago, IL (July 5, 2025)
2. Pennzoil 250 in Indianapolis, IN (July 26, 2025)
3. NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Race in Martinsville, VA (October 25, 2025)

“To me, it’s more than a sponsorship. I feel so close to the Toxic Waste brand.”

“This is the biggest partnership with Toxic Waste yet,” says Poole who sleeps with a Toxic Waste Drum in his bedside table. “To me, it’s more than a sponsorship. I feel so close to the Toxic Waste brand.” The excitement can surely be felt on the track with fans roaring as the uniquely designed, vividly colored Toxic Waste car whips past them. Fans continue to rave about the brand off track as samples from the Toxic Waste brand are given out at racetracks across the country.

With the company headquartered in the suburbs of Indianapolis, racing has always been part of the DNA. “We have always dreamed of seeing a Toxic Waste car on track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” says Laura King, president of Candy Dynamics. This dream became a reality in 2023 when the brand partnered with Poole for a single NASCAR race in Indianapolis. In 2024, Candy Dynamics sponsored Poole for The Loop 110 as part of the Chicago Street Race. “The atmosphere at this race was electric, and we knew we needed to pursue it further,” continues King. Candy Dynamics has faced amazing success with Brennan, growing the reputation for the daring brand within the fast-paced, enduring sport.

About Candy Dynamics

Candy Dynamics Inc, previously known as Family Sweets, founded the Toxic Waste® brand in 2001. Its flagship product, Toxic Waste® Hazardously Sour Candy® answers the call for an extremely sour product that remains sour the whole way through. Its one-of-a-kind double-action sour hard candy treat has become a hit with candy lovers of all ages worldwide. The brand experienced a colossal boost with the virality of Slime Licker® on social media – garnering over 360 million views on the hashtag. The Toxic Waste appeal has spread worldwide with major markets in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa, Middle East and Australia. This international success has propelled the brand into a wide range of products including Sour Smog Balls®, Nuclear Fusion®, Atomz® and many others from the Slime Licker® brand!

About Brennan Poole

Brennan Poole, a native of The Woodlands, TX, is a veteran of over 150 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and raced full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He’s racked up 1 pole, 10 top-5 finishes and 39 top-10 finishes. He qualified for the first two Xfinity Series Playoffs In 2016 and 2017 with a career best 6th place in drivers points standings. Known as “The Bull” and as a fan-favorite, Poole finished 16th in his debut Daytona 500. In 2025, Poole returns to Alpha Prime Racing for the 2nd straight season – after punching above his weight in 2024 by finishing 16th in driver points, a season-best result for Alpha Prime Racing.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/running-on-the-power-of-sour-candy-dynamics-carves-out-its-place-in-nascar-302486494.html

SOURCE Candy Dynamics

After a thrilling inaugural event in Mexico City last weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series returns stateside with Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400 at the historic Pocono (Pa.) Raceway (2 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen punched his 2025 Playoff spot with a dominating victory on the Mexico City road course last weekend, the 10th driver to earn a bid by virtue of a win. There are 10 regular season races remaining now to set the 16-driver Playoff field.

Back on the grid this week is Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, who was awarded a championship waiver after missing the Mexico race to be home for the birth of his son. The driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota is the winningest driver in Pocono Raceway history. Hamlin earned his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Pocono in 2006 and his seven wins are the most for the perennial championship contender at any single track on the schedule.

To that end, Hamlin is the only repeat winner in the last eight Pocono races – hoisting a trophy three times in that stretch. His JGR team has won a series best six of the last 10 Pocono races.

As with Hamlin, defending race winner, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney earned his career first victory at Pocono – in 2017.

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who finished 14th at Mexico City, said this summer race line-up, in particular, is enjoyable because of the varying tracks. From inaugural Mexico City road course race, to the 2.5-mile three-turn Pocono track to the Chicago street race and Sonoma, Calif. road course in just the next month.

“It’s a fun part of the schedule where you’re going to very different places each week, and I think teams really enjoy that – at least I enjoy it because it really switches it up and keeps it fresh,” said Blaney, who claimed his first win of the season three weeks ago at the 1.33-mile Nashville oval.

“It can also be frustrating if you’re not very good at those places. You could have a stretch of some bad weeks. Hopefully, we’re not on that boat, but I like this part of the schedule. There’s a lot of different things going on this summer.”

There are eight former Pocono winners in the field. And three of the last five race winners are still looking for their first trophy of the 2025 season – Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman (2021), Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch (2022) and Hendrick’s Chase Elliott (2023).

Elliott – who was declared the 2023 race winner when first and second place drivers Hamlin and Busch were disqualified following post-race inspection – leads all drivers in points earned at Pocono in the Next Gen car era.

His teammate, NASCAR Cup Series’ championship leader William Byron boasts the best average finish (9.36) at the track. Defending race winner, Blaney joins four-time Pocono winner Busch as the only other multi-time Pocono winners.

The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champ Elliott is coming off his best finish (third place at Mexico City) of the season – his second top-10 in the last six races. Bowman turned in a stellar fourth-place showing in Mexico City.

Busch was involved in an early race accident and finished last in the 37-car field in Mexico. The two-time series champion has only a single top-10 – eighth at Michigan – in the last eight races. But. … he is a four-time winner at Pocono – a win tally second only to Hamlin’s among this weekend’s field of drivers. From 2016-21 he had nine top-10s in 10 races, including four wins and a runner-up finish. He hasn’t had a top-10, however since his win in 2020.

This is the last of three races to set the seeding for the In Season Tournament that will start with the June 28 night race at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway.

Practice followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying starts at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday (Amazon Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain started from pole position last year.

Ten races left, and the pressure is suffocating. With the NASCAR playoffs looming, jobs, millions, and legacies are on the line — and some of the sport’s biggest names are hanging by a thread. From champions clinging to hope, to winless drivers quietly building momentum, this updated breakdown of the Cup Series playoff picture might surprise you. The field is tightening. The chaos is coming. Who’s in, who’s out, and who’s just praying for a Daytona miracle?

• Which former champions may miss the playoffs entirely?
• Why Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick should be swinging for stage wins now
• Carson Hocevar and Ryan Preece as legit wildcard spoilers? Believe it.
• And could Darlington be Daniel Suárez’s last stand with Trackhouse?

From consistent grinders to win-it-or-go-home road course ringers, this playoff field isn’t just competitive, it’s volatile. One lucky break or one blown strategy call could change everything. Whether you’re rooting for the underdog or the dynasty, this video dives deep into every bubble battle and ticking time bomb on the path to the postseason. Watch the full breakdown, then hit the comments. Who do you think sneaks in, shocks the system, or watches it all slip away?

Watch Also:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will wear a new hat for JR Motorsports at Pocono Raceway, stepping in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch after Mardy Lindley was suspended for loose lug nuts

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gearing up to support his JR Motorsports team in a shock new role this weekend. With crew chief Mardy Lindley serving a one-race suspension for loose lug nuts discovered at Nashville Superspeedway, Earnhardt Jr. will step in as the crew chief for the No.88 car, driven by rising star Connor Zilisch at Pocono Raceway.

The development comes after Earnhardt Jr. recently named three current NASCAR stars that remind him of his legendary father before he shared his financial concerns for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team and weighed in with a strong view on leaked NASCAR plans.

JR Motorsports announced the temporary crew chief switch: “This weekend, @DaleJr will be filling in for Mardy Lindley as crew chief of the No. 88 as Lindley serves his one-race suspension for loose lug nuts following the NXS race in Nashville two weeks ago.”

READ MORE: Bubba Wallace left in no doubt what fans think of him at NASCAR eventREAD MORE: Jeff Gordon uncovers exciting NASCAR news after chat with Tom Cruise

The suspension was handed down after post-race checks at the May 31 Xfinity Series event in Nashville revealed two unsecured lug nuts on Zilisch’s Chevrolet. Consequently, team owner Lindley was hit with a $10,000 penalty and a suspension from race-day activities, though NASCAR opted to apply the crew chief’s suspension at Pocono rather than immediately after the Nashville race.

For Dale Earnhardt Jr., already an analyst for the Cup race broadcast on Prime Video, this presents a new challenge and a rare opportunity to return to hands-on team leadership. With two Xfinity championships, 24 wins, and 26 Cup victories under his belt—including two Daytona 500s—Dale Jr. brings a wealth of experience and a unique dual perspective as part-owner and media figure.

Eighteen year old Connor Zilisch, in his rookie Xfinity season and currently fifth in the standings, recently scored a career-best P2 finish at Nashville. As Zilisch tackles Pocono’s tricky, 2.5-mile triangular layout for the first time, Earnhardt’s guidance from the pit box could prove invaluable.

Earnhardt Jr. ‘s decision to step behind the scenes underscores his dedication to JR Motorsports and its driver development philosophy. Since its inception in 1998 under Earnhardt’s leadership, the team has become a mainstay of the Xfinity Series, striving not only to win races but also to cultivate future talent.

From a wider perspective, the situation underscores NASCAR’s strict enforcement of technical regulations, regardless of a team’s fame or ownership. Loose lug nuts are viewed as both a safety risk and a competitive threat, and NASCAR’s prompt response reflects its increasing rigor.

However, the deferred suspension has sparked debate about consistency: while Lindley must sit out Pocono, some argue that the delay benefits JR Motorsports.

This weekend, all attention will be on Earnhardt Jr. as he juggles his broadcasting role with his duties as a crew chief. His extensive racing knowledge, love for the sport, and connection with Zilisch could prove beneficial, possibly leading to a solid performance at Pocono – further cementing JR Motorsports’ reputation as a dominant force in nurturing NASCAR talent.

Watch the video of the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster below

Fast Motorsports will have sponsorship from Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster for the upcoming race at EchoPark Speedway.

The coaster is set to open for business in the Smoky Mountains on June 20th. BJ McLeod is the co-owner of the Pigeon Forge, TN business and is also a co-owner of the NASCAR team.

The coaster offers, “side-by-side tracks for a high-speed, competitive ride you won’t forget.”

Coaster Location: 115 Conner Heights Rd Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

BJ McLeod comments

“We’re excited to have Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster onboard to celebrate their grand opening,” said BJ McLeod, driver of the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevy Camaro and Co-Owner of the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster.

“We know this wouldn’t be possible without the fans so can’t wait to giveaway this experience to allow them to be a part of it.”

Giveaway

With the sponsorship, they are also offering a giveaway to race fans:

Prize Package Includes:

– “A 4-day / 3-night stay in a luxury cabin in scenic Pigeon Forge, TN on dates of your choosing (some exclusions may apply, excluding holidays)”

– “4 free tickets to ride the Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster”

To Enter:

1. Follow @teamlivefast, @bjmcleod78, and @pigeonforgeracingcoaster on Instagram

2. Comment on the official giveaway post who you would bring along for the ride

Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster Video

Links

Fast Motorsports | Pigeon Forge Racing Coaster | NASCAR