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Dale Earnhardt Jr. won’t be on Drivers Council this year

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 - Practice

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JUNE 30: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on June 30, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. told NBC Sports on Wednesday that he won’t be on the Cup Drivers Council this year after playing a key role in organizing the group and running the group text.

Earnhardt told NBC Sports it was his decision, citing time commitments.

Earnhardt was a part of the first Drivers Council meeting with NASCAR in May 2015.

“We’re just trying to work together,’' Earnhardt said after that first meeting at Dover. “There’s better dialogue and communication that way.”

MORE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. excited to be back in the car

The Drivers Council represents Cup competitors and meets with NASCAR officials regularly to discuss various items about the sport from competition aspects to other areas. Earnhardt was a part of NASCAR’s announcement this week of enhancements to the race formats.

Kyle Busch has confirmed that he’ll be back on the council. Joey Logano told NBC Sports he will be back on the council. Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski both confirmed to NBC Sports that they will each be back on the council this year.

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