CONCORD, N.C. -- The NASCAR offseason is all about rest, relaxation and recharging before a new campaign arrives.
Over the holidays, the Hendrick Motorsports teammates made sure to take advantage.
Jimmie Johnson spent his holidays on the slopes and building snowmen with his daughters. Kasey Kahne spent time with his family and took to the dirt track in Australia. Jeff Gordon vacationed with his family in Australia as well, and even visited Kahne at the track. Chase Elliott grabbed his snowboard and snow bike and hit the slopes in the Rockies with family.
And Dale Earnhardt Jr.? He vacationed with family as well, but he acknowledged that he doesn’t like to stray too far during the offseason.
“I think you get away as far as you can sometimes during the offseason, but at the same time when I get too far away, I feel like I’m not handling my responsibilities or I’m not where I’m supposed to be,” he said.
As the season draws closer, the driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet SS said he wants to be sure he’s nearby if his team needs him.
“I don’t want to get so far away that (No. 88 team crew chief) Greg (Ives) can’t get a hold of me at any moment and I’m not accountable,” he said.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy a little time off.
“We’ve got it pretty good as drivers,” Earnhardt smiled. “So I feel guilty sometimes going on vacation. But we definitely have fun!”