Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to run Spring Xfinity race at Martinsville in 2022: Will drive the No. 88

 

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

    Even though he has been retired from full-time NASCAR competition since 2017, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has made a yearly start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The 15-time "Most Popular Driver" owns JR Motorsports, which is currently fields the No. 1, 7, 8, and 9 cars full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Dale, made his most recent start at Richmond Raceway on September 11th, of this year.

Well next year, things at JR Motorsports look a bit more busy, as Josh Berry will be taking over as the full-time the No. 8 Camaro. Justin Allgaier will return to his No. 7 and Noah Gragson back in the No. 9 car. Michael Annett announced a few weeks back that he would be retiring from full-time racing, and the only real candidate for the No. 1 ride is Sam Mayer, who was said earlier this year to run full-time for JR Motorsports in 2022. 

Making his start of 2022 at Martinsville Raceway, JR Motorsports will field a 5th entry for its team owner. They will bring back the No. 88 to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which hasn't touched the racing surface in the series since 2018 when Dale Jr. drove it at Richmond.

So Dale Jr. fans better mark their calendars, as he will return behind the wheel at Martinsville on April 9th, 2022.