When NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. singles out a young driver as a future winner, the racing world takes notice. That’s exactly what happened to 21-year-old Parker Retzlaff, who recently received a significant endorsement from one of the sport’s most respected talent evaluators.
The vote of confidence came after Retzlaff’s breakout performance at Rockingham Speedway, where he secured a career-best second-place finish and made history for Alpha Prime Racing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sees Star Potential in Parker Retzlaff
Racing America asked Dale Jr. which young driver he thought could do great things with top-notch equipment. He didn’t hesitate to name Retzlaff.
“Parker Retzlaff is one,” said Earnhardt Jr. “I think he’s pretty much the kind of driver that gets behind the wheel of a race car, and not to say anything negative about the equipment, but he gets in a car and it runs better than you expect.”
He added that Retzlaff’s impact is so noticeable, it makes people question whether the team has made major changes when, in reality, it’s the driver making the difference.
Responds with Gratitude to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Comment
When Retzlaff heard about these comments, he was clearly touched. He posted on social media: “This truly means a lot, especially coming from @DaleJr. This sport isn’t easy. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities teams & sponsors have given me to get me to where I am today. Thank you for seeing my efforts, we have a lot to prove this year!”
His response showed genuine appreciation not just for Dale Jr.’s words but also for everyone who’s helped him along the way in NASCAR.
Retzlaff’s runner-up finish at the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway marked both a personal milestone and the best result in Alpha Prime Racing’s history. The race showcased his talent as he fought through a chaotic, caution-filled event and battled inside the top five for most of the day.
After the race, he said, “It was probably my best race to date. I kept fighting all day to make sure that we stayed in a position that we needed to be and needed to be aggressive, and just overall have something to fight for.”
🛠️ @KeenParts is BACK and will support @Parker79p this weekend at @TALLADEGA!#AgPro300 | @keenparts2 | @1844TomKeen pic.twitter.com/ZH7uKhdSnx
— Alpha Prime Racing (@TeamAlphaPrime) April 22, 2025
Retzlaff’s NASCAR journey hasn’t been smooth sailing. He started in Xfinity with RSS Racing and Our Motorsports then spent two years with Jordan Anderson Racing before joining Alpha Prime for 2025. His second year was particularly tough with 12 DNFs (Did Not Finish), but he kept pushing forward.
With Dale Jr. in his corner and his own determination, Parker Retzlaff seems ready for bigger things. NASCAR fans and teams will be watching to see if he gets a shot with a top team to prove Dale Jr. right.
For now, Retzlaff remains focused, grateful and ready to keep fighting: “We have a lot to prove this year!”