For the first time since 2000, the Daytona 500 – the NASCAR Cup Series’ iconic season-opener – will start without Dale Earnhardt Jr. The 15-time most popular driver retired from full-time racing in November at the 2017 season finale, marking the end of an era.

Early in his retirement, Earnhardt already has plenty going on in his life. He and his wife, Amy, are expecting their first child in the spring, and he’s joining NBC when it takes over broadcasting the season in July. He’s also going to help cover the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics in South Korea.

He has a lot to be excited about, but during a NASCAR Facebook Live video Friday, it was clear Junior already misses the sport.

“I’m sure that’ll eventually go away, and I’ll get used to where I am and what this new chapter’s all like and what it’s about,” he said. “You’ll always miss it. You’ll always miss driving, and especially at Daytona.”

When asked if he’s come to terms with his decision to retire or accepted that someone else will be driving the No. 88 Chevrolet in NASCAR’s biggest race (around the 5:30-mark), Earnhardt said:

“It’s definitely going to be an odd feeling. I won’t feel that until it’s happening leading up to (Daytona 500). It’ll be weird, I guess, when I know guys are at the track, and I’m not there. It’ll feel like, ‘Man, I’m supposed to be at the track.’ There’s gonna be a part of me that wants to be there, wants to be in the car, wants to be going through that process of getting ready for Daytona.”

But Earnhardt will still be at the race and taking part in its traditions, which he’s looking at as a silver lining and reminder that he’s not really leaving racing.

He continued:

“Now I’m going to be the Grand Marshal of the race – which should be a lot of fun – and that’s going to keep me occupied, and I’ll enjoy that for sure. But when the cars roll off pit road, that’s a fun moment. That’s a really proud moment for a driver to have gotten through Speedweeks (the week leading up to the race, which includes qualifying) and positioned himself in the starting grid.

“It’s a great accomplishment to make that race and be in that race and be starting in it, so I’ll miss that. Rolling off those pace laps is such an emotional feeling for the Daytona 500, and to know that I won’t do that again is going to be a little difficult in that moment I’m sure.”

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