Racing to the Finish

My Story

By: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ryan McGee

Narrated by: 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.

Jr Nation Required reading

Eye opening journey into the sport of auto-racing. Incredibly detailed and helpful at the same time.

AMAZING COURAGE!

By the middle of the book, I didn’t want to continue. I’m like, “the amazing life that dale Jr. has had and his EXTRA ordinary father, he seriously is only talking about freaking concussions! I continue to listen because I love him either way. By the end I was crying lol. He has sooo much courage to tell his story and it has helped so many others. All people need is a little push sometimes! I am so grateful and I thank God for healing dale! #DALEYEAH

Helped me get the courage to get help!

As soon as I listened to his symptoms I knew I needed to stop hiding it and get help for my concussion.

Best nonfiction read

Dale Jr at his most candid ever. He is widely known for being a down to earth guy that the common person can identify with and people just plain like. No doubt this was why he was NASCAR's most popular driver for 15 straight years. In this book he takes being candid to a new level. His fans that followed his career, particularly since 2012, will be amazed at what he went through, and how he likely sacrificed his long term health and shortened his career because he didn't want to let them down. Anyone that has taken a blow to the head or "had their bell rung" even something that seemed minor should look for the symptoms he describes and seek help. A book that everyone should listen to, even if you are not a NASCAR fan .

Awesome

I just listened to Jrs book racing to the finish. It was awesome I loved it. I couldn’t stop listening until is was over. What a awesome man and driver.