Dale Earnhardt Jr. recaps 'emotional day' watching Kevin Harvick, Ryan Blaney at Phoenix

Following the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took time to reflect on the race, and the passing of time. Watching Kevin Harvick in his final race, and Ryan Blaney claims his first-ever NASCAR championship, Earnhardt found himself emotional on Sunday.

Of course, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been around for a little bit of time. Seeing the driver that replaced his father after his death race in his final event has to be powerful. The fact that Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick are good friends can’t make that easier.

Then there is Ryan Blaney. Earnhardt didn’t just pick him as his champion to start the year and to start the playoffs, he’s known Blaney his whole career. Now he’s a champion.

The realization of how much time has gone by apparently hit Earnhardt all at once.

“This was an emotional day,” Earnhardt tweeted. “Watching Kevin Harvick finish his career drives home just how far into this life I find myself. So many years and memories in the past. And Blaney, who I remember talking to on the grid of his first [Cup] start. I brought the beer to the post race party after the first [Cup] win. It’s been fun to watch his career. He’s one of the good guys and does what he can to push the sport forward.

“Man this sport can be frustrating at times, but it still to this day means the world to me and gets to me like nothing else in my professional life does. Now, time to go home and be with my girls.”

This was an emotional day. Watching @KevinHarvick finish his career drives home just how far into this life I find myself. So many years and memories in the past. And @Blaney, who I remember talking to on the grid of his first cup start. I brought the beer to the post race party…

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 6, 2023

Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t the only emotional one. Kevin Harvick also admitted that he was on an “emotional rollercoaster” this weekend. It was a historic championship, if you think about it.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is right about this championship

Outside of his personal connections, this is a big day. A new champion was crowned. It was the youngest Championship 4 ever in the history of the sport. NASCAR feels like it is in a good place, and it’s almost fitting this is Harvick’s final race.

There are still veterans in the Cup Series. Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin are all returning. However, this is not your dad’s Cup Series, folks. Drivers are younger, they come from different backgrounds such as dirt, modifieds, late models, and more.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. should also be excited about the future. Drivers like Blaney are great for the sport. He will be an awesome champion just like Dale said. A great ambassador for NASCAR. However, drivers like Larson, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick and more are all good for the sport, too.

While it’s sad to see a part of NASCAR history officially fade away, it’s very exciting to think about where the sport could go next.