Dale Earnhardt Jr. out of Food City 300 in closing laps after car catches fire

It looked like we were going to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. in victory lane, and then he pulled his car down pit road at Bristol. Well on his way to a NASCAR Xfinity Series win, Dale Jr. wasn’t able to finish the race after battling all night for the lead.

For those at home, we got to watch a legend lead laps and put on an amazing performance. It wasn’t clear why Earnhardt was slowing down, but smoke in his cabin showed a fire was forming.

Once Dale Earnhardt Jr. got out of the car, he checkered his feet. The fire was likely in that area and causing him to feel the heat. He was a little frazzled trying to get out of his car.

Dale Jr. didn’t even make it to his own pit box.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to get out of his car due to a fire. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/dMmKNYF0aS

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 16, 2023

In total, Dale Earnhardt Jr. led for 47 laps on the night and was showing he still had what it takes to win in the Xfinity Series. When he started to hit his rhythm, it was hard to stop him from advancing up through the field.

This was a close call as the fire got into the tunnel. After getting out of the care center, Dale Jr. showed that his firesuit had a hole burned through it. It didn’t look like much at first, but this was a situation that could have gotten ugly in a hurry.

"We got a hole in my pants."@DaleJr on the fire that ended his night early, and the fun he had at @ItsBristolBaby. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/ng8DR5XL4s

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 16, 2023

Not only did he feel it, he saw the fire. Dale Jr. got out in the No. 20 pit stall and the situation was dealt with. Just glad that we get to see Dale race again this season.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a shot to win

Sometimes you just have to give yourself a chance. That’s all you can ask for as a race car driver. Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave himself a shot to win this race and that’s all he can ask for. That was a top-5 car that had winning capabilities.

I think, all things considered, Dale will probably think of this as a victory. He literally did win on the owner’s side of things. Still, you can’t be upset with that performance. You come out to race just once or twice a year in this series and put together a race like that? I felt like I was in 2011 watching Dale Jr. hold off Trevor Bayne in the Xfinity Series.

Justin Allgaier got the race win by the time this was all said and done. He even drove Dale Jr. up to victory lane along with his dad on the passenger side of the car. A family affair for Allgaier who also happened to announce that he’s back at JR Motorsports for one more year.

A lot going on at Bristol tonight. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was so close. Let’s hope we see more of this magic at Homestead-Miami later in the fall.