Dale Jr. would "definitely consider" retiring if he wins the Cup title

“Hell yeah,” he would retire on the stage at Las Vegas if he won the championship, Earnhardt told Dan Patrick.

On Wednesday, Earnhardt reiterated the same sentiment.

“I would definitely not want to come back and try to race anymore if I won the championship,” Earnhardt said. “I would be outta here (laughter).”

Certainly, the last eight months has made that decision easier for NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. Last July, the 42-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver removed himself from competition because of a concussion he sustained during a wreck at Michigan in June. Out of action because of a concussion for the second time in his career, Earnhardt missed the final 18 races of the season.

On New Year’s Eve, Earnhardt married the love of his life, Amy Reimann. The couple wants to start a family. To be the kind of father Earnhardt hopes to be, he has to have his mental faculties in tact.

The importance of capturing that first championship

But, yes, winning the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title currently tops Earnhardt’s priority list.

“You know, I've always wanted to win a championship so badly,” Earnhardt said. “Coming back from this injury, we worked so hard. To come back this year, win a championship, it would be hard not to hang it up. This is the last year of my deal. I would like to race more. But if I win the championship, I'd have to consider going out on top. I mean, I don't know. It just really depends on a lot of different things.

“That was tongue-in-cheek. I said that a little tongue-in-cheek yesterday. But I'd definitely consider it because that's the last box I don't have checked really. There's a few races I'd like to win. The championship would definitely be the icing on the cake for my career.”

Earnhardt has often been a trendsetter in NASCAR. And his decision to step away from competition last July with a head injury will make the choice easier for other drivers in the future. While Earnhardt is generally a selfless person, last year’s sabbatical wasn’t meant to be a defining moment in the sport. It was a necessity. 

“I'm just doing what I needed to do to be taking care of myself,” Earnhardt said. “I was very, very sick. I had no business being in a car. I just did everything my doctors were telling me to do. I don't want to take any credit for how this all appears to someone else.

“If it helps somebody, that's important. But I was just looking out for myself, listening to my doctors. If it taught someone a lesson or helped someone, that's awesome. I definitely became more educated through the process. It's an incredible experience. I feel fortunate to have a lot of ammunition and understanding of what I'm dealing with.”

Being transparent

Since his return to racing, Earnhardt’s open approach hasn’t changed. While some athletes would shy away from the spotlight following a career-altering injury, there’s a reason Earnhardt has won NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award 14 times. He continues to be forthcoming with his fan base and the media in an effort to get ahead of the story.

“I don't see any reason not to be very transparent and honest. So far it's not bit me in the ass yet. I feel comfortable putting it all out there. If I was younger, I might be a little more guarded about that part of me. I'm on the backside of this. What's there to hide?

“We'll just try to keep being that way, keep being as honest as possible. I like to try to control the narrative, I guess, with you guys, give you guys the information you want. That way the fans and stuff aren't making assumptions. It gives me a lot of peace of mind to make sure the right information's out there so people aren't making up their own assumptions on what's going on. That's helped me a lot. It's given me a lot of peace of mind.”