“He appreciates all the support”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared a positive update on former NASCAR driver and team owner Jimmy Means ahead of his scheduled heart surgery, reassuring fans that Means is in good spirits.

The concern surrounding Means grew after stock car racing driver Colby Evans urged fans to keep the 76-year-old in their thoughts, revealing that the former driver and team owner was set to undergo a double bypass surgery on Monday (July 27).

Shortly afterward, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took to X to provide a reassuring update after speaking directly with Means.

“I spoke to Jimmy this morning. He sounds really good and is preparing for his surgery tomorrow. He appreciates all the support.” Dale Jr. wrote.

Jimmy Means built a long career in NASCAR after making his Cup debut at the 1976 Daytona 500. Nicknamed the “Smut,” the Texarkana, Arkansas native competed in 455 Cup Series races and scored 17 top-10 finishes during his career before transitioning into crew chief and team ownership. He competed in NASCAR for eighteen years in mostly his own equipment, Jimmy Means Racing.

His team became a familiar presence in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for years. The team gave opportunities to several young drivers while continuing to compete despite operating on a modest budget.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets emotional after his JR Motorsports driver earns his first career win at famed Indy

Dale Earnhardt Jr.-owned JR Motorsports driver Carson Kvapil won Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Hall of Famer is proud of Kvapil’s first career victory, as it came after five second-place car finishes and in his 64th start in the series.

Speaking to CW Sports after the race, Dale Jr. went emotional and shared what it means to see Kvapil earn his first win at the Indy.

“Oh man, it’s been a long time coming. He’s (Kvapil) like a son almost. You know you work with these guys for so long, and you work so hard. He’s got a win to keep going. You gotta win it if you want to keep this deal going, and he got so close, and I’m just so, so happy for him, for Travis, his dad, for Caden, his brother” the JR Motorsports owner said.

Kvapil emerged victorious after grabbing the lead from teammate Ross Chastain on Lap 78 and then never looked back to hold off charging Justin Allgaier in the final laps to take the victory home.