Earnhardt Jr. wants to stay involved in racing during retirement

CHARLOTTE, N.C - Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he wants to stay involved in racing in some capacity after he has finished driving.

"I do have ambition to work," Earnhardt said. "I'm not going to quit working. There's a feeling to being an asset to something. I don't have to be the guy holding the trophy, but being a part of that success, I really enjoy. I really enjoy making people happy and doing stuff as a team. I think I can replicate that in the next chapter of my life."

Earnhardt is a third-generation racer.

He has 26 career Cup victories and is a two-time champion of NASCAR's second-tier series. But the son of the late champion has never won a Cup title. The Kannapolis, North Carolina, native in his 18th full-time season at the Cup level and he made his 600th career series start earlier this year.

Earnhardt partially owns JR Motorsports.