NASCAR retirement feels 'weird', says Dale Earnhardt Jr
Dale Earnhardt Jr says he is finding retirement from the NASCAR Cup Series "weird", and that it is not a "comfortable feeling."
Earnhardt completed his final NASCAR season at the season finale at Homestead after struggling throughout 2017, failing to make the playoffs, after missing most of '16 with a concussion that left him "delicate and compromised".
Earnhardt will become a TV commentator next season and will be the grand marshal for the 2018 Daytona 500 as he remains keen to stay in NASCAR.
But the former Hendrick Motorsports driver says he is finding retirement from competition as a strange feeling so far.
"It's felt weird, to be honest with you to be finished with the season and knowing that you're not going to go back and start another one," he said.
"Being away from the sport is so weird. Just being home for Thanksgiving is a very odd feeling and not a comfortable feeling at all.
"I'm always going to want to be around the track. I'm always going to want to be around the sport and involved in the competition somehow, some way.
"If I ever thought I was just going to quit cold turkey, I must have been kidding myself because just being away for a couple of days, it's difficult."
Hendrick Motorsports will replace both Earnhardt and Kasey Kahne next season, with Xfinity champion William Byron joining multiple Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, rookie Alex Bowman and Chase Elliot for 2018.
Gordon: Elliott's winless NASCAR Cup run like Johnson's title wait
Why NASCAR is at a crossroads in 2018
Darrell Wallace Jr can become a NASCAR megastar - Kevin Harvick
Darrell Wallace Jr can become a NASCAR megastar - Kevin Harvick Darrell Wallace Jr can become a NASCAR megastar - Kevin Harvick
Daytona 500: Hendrick rookie Byron tops practice for NASCAR opener
Daytona 500: Hendrick rookie Byron tops practice for NASCAR opener Daytona 500: Hendrick rookie Byron tops practice for NASCAR opener
NASCAR champion Truex would have blown title shot earlier in career
NASCAR champion Truex would have blown title shot earlier in career NASCAR champion Truex would have blown title shot earlier in career
Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche heads second practice from Ferrari
Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche heads second practice from Ferrari Le Mans 24 Hours: Porsche heads second practice from Ferrari
Peugeot 'disappointed' by Le Mans speed after missing Hyperpole
Peugeot 'disappointed' by Le Mans speed after missing Hyperpole Peugeot 'disappointed' by Le Mans speed after missing Hyperpole
WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements
WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements WRC drivers meeting a “constructive” forum for future improvements
Kobayashi: NASCAR debut will realise childhood "dream"
Kobayashi: NASCAR debut will realise childhood "dream" Kobayashi: NASCAR debut will realise childhood "dream"
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.