Racing to the Finish

My Story

De: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan McGee

Narrado por: Dale Earnhardt, Gabe Wicks

Racecar driver Earnhardt was at the top of his game—until a minor crash resulted in a concussion that would eventually end his 18-year career. In his only authorized book, Dale shares the inside track on his life and work, reflects on NASCAR, the loss of his dad, and his future as a broadcaster, businessperson, and family man.

It was a seemingly minor crash at Michigan International Speedway in June 2016 that ended the day early for NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. What he didn’t know was that it would also end his driving for the year. He’d dealt with concussions before, but no two are the same. Recovery can be brutal, and lengthy.

When Dale retired from professional stock car racing in 2017, he walked away from his career as a healthy man. But for years, he had worried that the worsening effects of multiple racing-related concussions would end not only his time on the track but his ability to live a full and happy life.

Torn between a race-at-all-costs culture and the fear that something was terribly wrong, Earnhardt tried to pretend that everything was fine, but the private notes about his escalating symptoms that he kept on his phone reveal a vicious cycle: suffering injuries on Sunday, struggling through the week, then recovering in time to race again the following weekend. In this candid reflection, Earnhardt opens up for the first time about:

• The physical and emotional struggles he faced as he fought to close out his career on his own terms
• His frustration with the slow recovery from multiple racing-related concussions
• His admiration for the woman who stood by him through it all
• His determination to share his own experience so that others don’t have to suffer in silence

Steering his way to the final checkered flag of his storied career proved to be the most challenging race and most rewarding finish of his life.

I would have known then what I know now.

Glad Dale shared all of these details. As a long time fan and always listening to his in car radio so many times I wish I had the button to press to talk to him myself. What are you doing now? Press the damn gas! Stick your nose in there now! I would get so mad at him because I knew he was better than when he was showing on the track. So many times in the back of my mind I wondered if it was fear and now I totally understand. Answers so many question to what happened. Couple years ago I totaled my Harley and broke my neck my back and a concussion myself. Thanks for sharing Dale. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

great listen

loved it , very eye opening, shows a version of the concussion controversy never before heard.

Educating memoir!

This was quite a journey with Dale Jr. I appreciate the honesty and the decision to share his suffering. This is not easy for a man to do but he has proven his love for the sport by helping those in it. Great finish, Jr!

Story hit home with my brain injury

After a brain injury, eye convergence, etc. etc. etc. from rear ended car wreck, I caught myself tearing up many times as Dale told his side of story, where I had trouble putting it in good words for all to understand, Dale did a good job with his story and analogies. Great book. We concussion patients really can help others as know body else knows whats going on in our heads.

Great Insight

This book provides great insight into the life of someone with concussion symptoms. It’s great that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is willing to open up and be candid and vulnerable about his experiences in an effort to help others going through similar circumstances.