Dale Earnhardt Jr. Is preparing for a new NASCAR Xfinity Series role.
Earnhardt is slated to add crew chief to his resume as a Hall of Famer, current co-owner of JR Motorsports, and former national series driver. With Mady Lindley scheduled to serve a one-race suspension this weekend at Pocono Raceway, Earnhardt will serve as the lead voice for driver Connor Zilisch.
Lindley was punished for improperly secured lug nuts at Nashville Speedway on May 31.
As a driver, Earnhardt posted two Xfinity Series championships and 24 wins.
A rookie of the year candidate, Zilisch, 18, earned a win and six top-10 finishes in 14 starts. He ranks No. 5 in the drivers’ standings and drew +500 sports-betting odds to capture the circuit championship, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. It ranked as the third-best odds, following points leader Justin Allgaier (+200) and Austin Hill.
(+400).
Zilisch posted on X (Twitter): “Pressure is on.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will step in as Connor Zilisch’s crew chief this weekend, filling in for Mardy Lindley, who’s serving a one-race suspension. Find out more on The Daily Downforcehttps://t.co/fOepyVxzCZ pic.twitter.com/7B2aZ8gfR3
— The Daily Downforce (@dailydownforce) June 18, 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quote Of The Week
“Pocono is perhaps the most unique track we have on the NASCAR circuit. With three distinct corners and straightaways, teams face a choice of setting up their cars where they feel they can make the most time. We have a new tire set-up for the Cup cars this year, one with more grip and more fall-off, which should make for a great race for the fans.”
– Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager of global race tires.
October 2, 1994: For the last time in the Cup Series, a race was won by a tire other than Goodyear
Using Hoosier tires, Geoff Bodine won at North Wilkesboro, lapping the field pic.twitter.com/QWdMbtJSb5
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) October 2, 2024
2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Drivers’ Championship Odds
Here is a Week 16 look at the drivers’ odds for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers’ championship, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:
| Driver | 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Justin Allgaier | +220 |
| Austin Hill | +400 |
| Connor Zilisch | +500 |
| Jesse Love | +650 |
| Sam Mayer | +800 |
| Sheldon Creed | +1000 |
| Sammy Smith | +1400 |
| Brandon Jones | +1400 |
| Carson Kvapil | +2100 |
| Taylor Gray | +2100 |
| Nicholas Sanchez | +4500 |
| Ryan Sieg | +5000 |
| Christian Eckes | +6500 |
| William Sawalich | +8000 |
| Harrison Burton | +8500 |
| Jeb Burton | +10000 |
| Daniel Dye | +20000 |
| Jeremy Clements | +25000 |
| Matt DiBenedetto | +25000 |
| Josh Williams | +25000 |
| Parker Retzlaff | +25000 |
| Dean Thompson | +30000 |
| Blaine Perkins | +47000 |
| Kyle Sieg | +47000 |
| Garrett Smithley | +50000 |
| Brennan Poole | +50000 |
| Leland Honeyman Jr. | +50000 |
| Kris Wright | +50000 |
| Ryan Ellis | +50000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
