Dale Earnhardt Jr. has experienced it all at Daytona International Speedway.
The 50-year-old was the winner of the Daytona 500 twice, his father won seven times in the race, and Elder Earnhardt was killed in a crash.
As the team owner of JR Motorsports, Dale Jr. saw Justin Allgaier compete in “Great American Race.”
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He is currently practicing the Daytona 500 at Dale Earnhardt Jr. Daytona International Speedway, owner of the NASCAR team. (Peter Casey/Imagine image)
With tears in check after Allgaier qualified on the track, Dale Jr. said, “I can't believe I'll be going to the race on Sunday.”
Earnhardt Jr. has returned to Daytona International many times since his father Dale was killed after crashing on the final lap of the race in 2001. It is safe to assume that it is not easy for him to come back.
But Dale Jr. said he must follow in his dad's footsteps Thursday night and learn that he's OK to come back.
He did it. However, he joked that he needed a “psychiatrist” to explain his feelings.
Dale Earnhardt (David Taylor/Allsport)
“My dad loved Daytona,” Earnhardt said. “I loved winning here. I loved winning races here. He loved to add to that number no matter what it was (34). I was in front of myself. I had to go on a career.
“I knew it wasn't the truck that took him there. No matter where he was, he still felt the same about Daytona, so I did. I accepted. I don't work the same way as other people and tragedy, but for me I know I have to come here.
Allgaier won his first Xfinity title last season. He came in second place in 2020 and 2023, and became one of the most popular drivers in the Xfinity series during 14 seasons.
Earnhardt won two Daytona 500s in 2004 and 2014, with 26 overall races. However, he never won a Cup Championship, winning seven titles and approaching the achievements of the late Hall of Fame father, known as the “Blackman.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. before the Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in Indianapolis, July 31, 2022. (Marc Lebryk/USA Today Sports)
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Now he's going to go first as a team owner.
“We can push the car on a Sunday on the grid for the first time,” Earnhardt said.
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