Dale Earnhardt Jr is considering a NASCAR return, but only if the racing style changes.
He hasn't sat in a Cup car at Daytona since 2017.
## What sparked the rumor?
Dale Jr. discussed Daytona's racing package on his podcast, sparking speculation about his potential return.
Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen joined the conversation, asking about NASCAR's plans to change drafting at Daytona.
Dale Jr. confirmed they're testing changes, which led to questions about his possible return.
## Why it matters for Dale Earnhardt Jr
Dale Jr. has 36 Cup starts at Daytona and two Daytona 500 wins, making his potential return significant.
He recalled the 2001 Daytona race, where he told Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon they'd run wide open.
Dale Jr. also mentioned Simon Pagenaud's Indy 500 win, where Pagenaud ignored his team's fuel strategy.
## What comes next?
Dale Jr.'s JR Motorsports is scaling up fast, with a major multi-year deal with Arby's and the hiring of Rodney Childers as crew chief.
The team is positioning itself as the fastest pipeline in NASCAR's garage, with a long-term goal of pushing into the Cup Series.
Dale Jr.'s potential return is contingent on changes to the racing style, which could happen soon.
He's focused on his team's growth and success, but a return to NASCAR is still a possibility.
Dale Jr. is 51 years old and has been retired from full-time racing since 2017.
His wife Amy jokingly suggested he run the 2027 Daytona 500, but he's only interested if the racing style changes.
The NASCAR community is eagerly awaiting news on Dale Jr.'s potential return, which could happen if the changes he's looking for are made.