Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I don't care for "Little E" and I hate what NASCAR has become.

Having said that, I found this interesting and decided to share it since it bears directly to this thread.

https://speedsport.com/nascar/monster-nascar-cup/nascar-monster-earnhardt-larson-elliott/

I am lucky enough to work at one of the best tracks 
anywhere.

I've hung around Earnhardt a little especially in his earlier days.  Always pretty laid back and shy.  A few of his close friends raced sprint cars if anyone has ever heard of Scott and Jeff Young.  They won a few ASCS races back in the day.  They all went to high school together. 

I was always a supporter of Dale's cause he brings great sponsors to the sport creating tons of jobs for the area and never once created any bad publicity.  One day I randomly started following him on Twitter and started liking him even more.  I think he's played the role of his fathers son prefectly.  He tries hard and cares about the sport.  Made a ton of money yet still acts like one of the good ole boys from the hills of the Piedmont country.

Probably see him at Millbridge a lot next year hanging out with his sister and nieces. 

Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's

Above all he does seem like a good guy and he doesn't get into any trouble, ever.  Like Maddog said, a majority of his fans......well, let's just say none of them spoke at their high school graduation--if that did indeed ever happen.

If his name had been Dale Smith, there wouldn't have been such a weight on his shoulders and his career would have been excellent.  Then again, had his name been Dale Smith, he would have worked at Piggly Wiggly for 35 years. 

(sorry for offending those that work at Piggly Wiggly)

Regarding the good guy Jr appears to be......just watched an interview about his retirement and he mentioned that he wished his dad could see him today and that they could talk.....what Sr might think of Jr's wife and how Jr turned out. He said that he and his dad's conversations in the past were never about how to drive a race car, but instead matters of life that really mattered. Like how to treat people, how to be a good person and really care about others. Makes sense when you watch film clips of Dale Sr and statements of those that competed with Sr and how he was always willing to put out a helping hand for others. Dale Jarrett once talked about his own NASCAR title in 1999 and trip to New York for the awards. He didn't have the budget that allowed for a team airplane and Dale Sr knew that. So Sr provided one of his airplanes to transport Jarrett's entire team. I think most of us hope that those racers (and others) that we see in the limelight are good decent people. And I think NASCAR has had a lot more than just a handful of them.

Seniors mom refused to quit her job has a waitress at K&W Cafeteria, a local southern spot, when he made it huge so he built one in DEI.  Half the paved church parking lots in the Carolinas were paid for by DE.  They just dont know it.

Brandon McLain
United Sprint Car Series Driver
2014 Season
National Rookie of the Year!
National Points - 8th
Southern Points - 3rd
Asphalt Points - 3rd
18 Races, 3 Top 5's, 14 Top 10's

There is no doubt Dale Jr. got opportunities others would not have had due to the fame and wallet of his father.  That said, Sr. did try to make it as difficult and real as possible for him.  I do think that made a big difference in the man that Jr. has become--no doubt.  Had he been treated like a total spoiled brat (like a couple of brothers on the tour right now) he would likely be tearing up cars, throwing fits, disrespecting reporters and the list goes on and on.  Sr. gave him just the right amount of help and just the right amount of tough love.  I am a firm believer in NOT making my kid's lives easier than mine was.  The struggle (and my childhood was not a struggle compared to many in this world) is part of the learning process and if you watch some of the early interviews when Jr. was getting started, Sr. made things as real as possible for him.  I do think his old man would be proud of him.  As far as driver?  His career is a lot better than most give him credit for.  Not too many people can boast 50 wins combined in Nascar's two top series.  

Good guy.  Time to go.  He hasn't been a legit threat to win consistently since parting ways with step mother.  Nothing to be ashamed of for his career.