“Dale Earnhardt Jr. saw all NASCAR had changed in the Xfinity and Camping World Truck Series and said it was very good.” - Book of Dale, Chapter 1, Verse 1.
The 13-time most popular driver gave his vote of approval Tuesday to the newly announced changes in the Xfinity and Truck Series that give each circuit an elimination playoff format similar to the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
But Earnhardt’s opinion didn’t come in the form of a Biblical text. It came down from on high in a news release in his role as owner of JR Motorsports, which runs teams in both series.
Each playoff format will be seven races, with the Xfinity Series’ starting with 12 drivers and the Truck Series’ beginning with eight.
“I think it’s going to be exciting for fans who follow the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series,” said Earnhardt. “They will have a playoff-style atmosphere at the end of the season that has been missing. It’s been in the Cup Series for several years and has been very successful. As a car owner in both series, I am excited, because it’s going to bring a lot of attention to both series, hopefully help grow both series and improve the health of both series. It’s very exciting.”
JR Motorsports will have Justin Allgaier and Elliott Sadler full time in the Xfinity Series and Cole Custer will be the first full-time driver for JRM in the Truck Series.
Allgaier will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet in his first season driving for Earnhardt.
“I think it’s going to be a good deal for us,” Allgaier said in the release. “We’ve been so tied to making changes to the car to go faster and to gain the most points, pushing your team and the technology. Of course, you have to still make the Chase, but once you do, you can have time to do all that in anticipation of the final seven races.”
The Xfinity Series playoffs begin Sept. 24 at Kentucky Speedway and the Truck Series’ will get under way the same day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.