[h=2]Earnhardt: Larson, Elliott are NASCAR's future[/h] Tuesday, 25 April 2017


Kelly Crandall / Image by LAT

Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn't hesitate when asked which drivers should have people excited about the future of NASCAR now that he's going to be joining Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon in retirement.


"Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott just to name two of probably a dozen guys that I'm excited about," Earnhardt said Tuesday. "I think that's all I read about on Twitter yesterday, was how awesome the race was and how much fun it is to watch Larson, and it's true. He's a real talent. And all those guys have great attitudes, great personalities."


NASCAR will be in need of new stars with the recent year after year departures of some of its biggest names. Gordon retired following the conclusion of the 2015 season. Stewart after 2016. Carl Edwards also announced his shock decision to step away from racing this January. Greg Biffle, who was the oldest active driver in the series, left Roush Fenway Racing and has not competed this year.

Earnhardt has been the sport's most popular driver the last 14 consecutive seasons. But he's carried the banner far longer with an ever-growing fan base, nicknamed "Junior Nation," as well as large presence within the sport because of his personality and last name.

That will be gone after November 19 when he runs his last race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"I feel like these are the guys that, they're the cream of the crop, and maybe I'm the only one that sees it in this room, but I really have a lot of confidence in the personalities that we have,' Earnhardt said. "I think that these guys that are coming in, they're really sharp and smart about how to utilize social media, how to engage fans. You see the stuff that [Ryan] Blaney and Bubba [Wallace] do, and they're not afraid to really show their personalities.

"We've just got to get them in front of the fans, let the fans get to know them, and I think the rest will take care of itself. But I'm thrilled. We definitely have tons of talent (in the sport). There's no question. But I love the people they are.

"Larson is cool as a cucumber. Easy to talk to, marketable. Chase is the same way. Chase is so easy and approachable. That's what you've got to be. These guys are effortless at it. So, once they start to pick it up and understand the power of what they have at their fingertips, the sky's the limit for NASCAR. I'm super excited about the future."

Team owner Rick Hendrick has spotted a few talented drivers in his career, including Gordon, and now with Elliott under his banner. He, too, sees the widespread talent in the sport.

"I can remember when the question was all of our drivers are in their 40s or they're going to be, what are we going to do when they retire?" Hendrick said. "I think we've got the answer. They're here, they're young, they're aggressive, they're fun.