By Deb Williams | Senior Writer
RacinToday.com

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Sunday his intentions were to race next year and his Hendrick Motorsports team was handling bookings for 2017 as usual.

“We are doing all our photo shoots and everything with anticipation of our sponsors marketing me as the driver of the No. 88 car,” Earnhardt said at Martinsville Speedway during a press conference announcing his trading cards with Goody’s. “Those types of things have to be decided quite early. So we are moving forward with the plan to be in the car and I don’t see anything that says that is not going to happen. Things are good.”

Earnhardt admitted he was “apprehensive and real nervous” about being around the track and not driving a race car, but he has enjoyed being an ambassador of NASCAR.

“I tell him (Rick Hendrick) all the time I feel like being in the car is what I’m supposed to do and not being in the car brings on a sense of guilt that I’m not doing my responsibilities,” Earnhardt said. “Maybe I’m actively seeking out these opportunities to be visible and be relevant and work with my partners and handle all the responsibilities that we have and have planned before all this happened. I have been open and happy and excited to start booking all these photo shoots.”

Earnhardt said he has to stay busy.

“Sitting at home is not a lot of fun,” he continued. “Those first several weeks trying to get better sitting at home not really wanting to go anywhere were not fun at all. It’s awesome to be able to drive up here to do this press conference and talk about one of our promotions with Goody’s; to be able to have a chance to go into the booth, things like that are really good for me.  It’s not only good therapy, but I need to be doing something.  I love being around the sport and I want to feel like I’m an asset to something.” 

No Comment