Dale Earnhardt Jr. reconnects with a figure from his past when he sits down with Team Penske NASCAR team manager Jefferson Hodges. After growing up admiring his Uncle Dale Lemonds’ racing career, Jefferson found his way into the racing world through Rick Townsend’s late model stock outfit in the Richmond, Virginia area. From there, he’d make his way onto the NASCAR Cup scene thanks to Tommy Baldwin, who was working for Junie Donlavey Racing at the time. When the Donlavey team began to slow, Jefferson returned to Townsend and found his footing as a team leader and crew chief. 

Jefferson would play an integral role in the progression of JR Motorsports from a late model stock team to one of the leading organizations in the NASCAR Xfinity roster. Jefferson had found success in the late model ranks with driver Mark McFarland, and after taking home a NASCAR Whelen All-American Championship, the two were destined for Charlotte. Through a driver-switch up, the two found themselves at JR Motorsports, and when success in late models led to the possibility of expanding into NASCAR’s secondary division, the number-88 Xfinity ride was born. 

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