Technology
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Explains How 'Valuable' Therapy is for Young NASCAR drivers
NASCAR is often regarded as the pinnacle of stock racing, with the Cup Series being the most difficult category for drivers to excel in. Even veteran drivers have failed to achieve coveted title wins in the sport, as it is even more difficult for young drivers who are just entering the sport. Because of this, the drivers often face self-doubt and also criticism from outside. T
o tackle this, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has talked about therapy and how important it is for young drivers of the sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a great conversation with the young Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth, who suffered from multiple ups and downs in the 2025 season.
Caruth has had a great season so far despite the occasional problems and is looking strong in his championship ambitions in the playoffs. Still, he had some moments of self-doubt and difficulties as he talked about going to therapy with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Notably, Dale Earnhardt Jr raced in NASCAR for quite a while and is no stranger to the difficulties that come with it. As such, Dale Jr. insisted that therapy was super valuable for NASCAR drivers, especially the up-and-coming young ones. The 51-year-old continued that therapy was necessary as the environment today was very complex.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained that there were a lot of conversations and negative comments hurled by people on the internet. Amid all the noise, it was necessary to take a step back and block the noise and only focus on the important things for a NASCAR driver.
As such, Dale Jr. asserted that therapy was necessary to understand not only how to be a better friend, but a great teammate on track as well, along with other improvements.
I think it’s (therapy) very valuable for guys that are in sports because the environment today is just really complex. There’s a lot going on, a lot of conversations happening around you and publicly online. Being able to manage that, block out the noise, and know what to focus on is important. I get some really valuable information in those conversations about managing expectations, how to be a better friend, a better partner, and also, in a professional sense, how to be a better teammate.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on Dale Jr Download.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepts therapy is ‘not always comfortable’
NASCAR drivers put their lives on risk when they sit in the cockpit and do not stop racing until the chequered flag is waved or they crash out on track. In addition to this, the contractual agreements and future uncertainty for a driver definitely take a toll, especially on their mental health. Amid all these problems, going to therapy and talking it all out isn’t always comfortable, even Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepted this fact.
NASCAR is often regarded as the pinnacle of stock racing, with the Cup Series being the most difficult category for drivers to excel in. Even veteran drivers have failed to achieve coveted title wins in the sport, as it is even more difficult for young drivers who are just entering the sport. Because of this, the drivers often face self-doubt and also criticism from outside. T
o tackle this, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has talked about therapy and how important it is for young drivers of the sport. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a great conversation with the young Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth, who suffered from multiple ups and downs in the 2025 season.
Caruth has had a great season so far despite the occasional problems and is looking strong in his championship ambitions in the playoffs. Still, he had some moments of self-doubt and difficulties as he talked about going to therapy with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Notably, Dale Earnhardt Jr raced in NASCAR for quite a while and is no stranger to the difficulties that come with it. As such, Dale Jr. insisted that therapy was super valuable for NASCAR drivers, especially the up-and-coming young ones. The 51-year-old continued that therapy was necessary as the environment today was very complex.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained that there were a lot of conversations and negative comments hurled by people on the internet. Amid all the noise, it was necessary to take a step back and block the noise and only focus on the important things for a NASCAR driver.
As such, Dale Jr. asserted that therapy was necessary to understand not only how to be a better friend, but a great teammate on track as well, along with other improvements.
I think it’s (therapy) very valuable for guys that are in sports because the environment today is just really complex. There’s a lot going on, a lot of conversations happening around you and publicly online. Being able to manage that, block out the noise, and know what to focus on is important. I get some really valuable information in those conversations about managing expectations, how to be a better friend, a better partner, and also, in a professional sense, how to be a better teammate.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on Dale Jr Download.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepts therapy is ‘not always comfortable’
NASCAR drivers put their lives on risk when they sit in the cockpit and do not stop racing until the chequered flag is waved or they crash out on track. In addition to this, the contractual agreements and future uncertainty for a driver definitely take a toll, especially on their mental health. Amid all these problems, going to therapy and talking it all out isn’t always comfortable, even Dale Earnhardt Jr. accepted this fact.
