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Father's Day makes Michigan win special for Earnhardt Jr.
By SceneDaily Staff
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. says that winning is great, but to win on Father's Day is particularly special.
Dale Earnhardt died in the 2001 Daytona 500 while his son was driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc. Winning at Michigan International Speedway on Father's Day was something special for both Earnhardt Jr. and his sister and business manager, Kelley Earnhardt Elledge.
"My daddy, he meant a lot to me," Earnhardt Jr. said. "There's a lot of people that I look up to that just happen to be great fathers themselves, role models for their sons. It means a lot to me to do well on Father's Day. It's a special day for my family, special for my sister. She's very, very happy at home and in tears on the telephone, so it means a lot to her. I'm glad she's as happy as she could possibly be today under circumstances. And it makes me feel good.
"I know I can't tell my father, happy Father's Day, but I get the opportunity to wish it upon all of the other fathers out there, and I genuinely mean that when I say it, because that's what today is all about. It's for all of the fathers out there."
Earnhardt Jr. says he remembers racing his dad, particularly in the International Race of Champions Series. In 2000, Earnhardt won the race at Daytona - but only after a spirited run from his son.
"I swear, I had him," Earnhardt Jr. says. "And it burns [me] to this day that Rusty Wallace pushed him by me, because I wanted to beat my daddy so bad. And I had him, and he knew it. I'm telling you, it bothers me because I sat behind him, and he waved and waved telling me to stay there and I'm like, 'Man I've got to run my own race here, there's only 12 of us out here, can't you fend for yourself?' And I sat there like a good son until the last lap and put a good move on him, and he never gave me any credit for that because he knew I had [him].
"To me, I was more tired after that race than I had ever been in my life. ... I had to go to the infield care center get some IV after a 50-lap race in IROC because of how hard I had worked. I had worked like 10 men on that last lap. And I'm surprised that didn't get more play when people talk about me and him and our friendship, our relationship as father and son, because to me, that day ranks right up there with the Winston win. … I look back, I got that, it's in my bookmarks on YouTube so I can watch it just about any time I want."
Mentioned Drivers: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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11 responses to "Father's Day makes Michigan win special for Earnhardt Jr.". Post a Comment.
sally whan said:
Jun 17, 2008 at 11:12 AMJr, everyone knows how you and Kelly are and how much your Dad meant to you all..and it was special for you to win that race and Jr dont ever think Dad is not looking down on you in every race and wacting over you, Kelly and Taylor...you all where his babies..okay...you just keep up the good work and you ar going to go far...I send you emails alot to Jr. motorsport but I am sure you dont ever get to see them but we love you here in ole Okla and watch every race and for that matter everything you are on...by the way would you someplace maybe on QVC when you said you tore your house down and let us fans know what you are doing now that was such a place and fit you perfect and we are all wondering now what is going on and where you are going to live...haha..thank you and Good Luck Always and God be with you and your family...
emily bagwell said:
Jun 17, 2008 at 9:11 PMJunior, i also have this race taped--loved your dad and love you, too. You've had a hard act to follow, and I feel for you at every race, but now that you have a new home at Hendrix,you seem to be A-OKAY, but I have to tell you---Your Dad might have wrecked you before he let you win---I believe I remember some rubbing---which is racing!
Barb Kinney said:
Jun 17, 2008 at 9:55 PMIn reply to Sally Whan Dale Earnhardt Senior had 4 Children. Lets not forget Kerry Earnhardt who looks just like Dad. A super nice person whom me & my family have been lucky enough to have met. He treated us like we were his neighbors.Were glad to see he's at DEI and wish his son the best in his racing career. Dale Earnhardts Seniors family didn't just consist of Kelly and Dale Jr & it would be nice if people remembered that there is Kerry & Taylor Nicole and it would be nice if Dale Jr and Kelly remembered that also.
grandamgt Russell said:
Jun 18, 2008 at 11:23 AMI'm sure Kelly and Dale Jr. are very much aware they have a half brother and half sister. Just because they don't talk about them in public doesn't mean they don't care about them. Unless you have grown up in circumstances similar to theirs, don't judge them. Kerry was raised by his mother, Dale Sr first wife. Dale Jr. and Kelly were raised by their mother, Dale Sr second wife. When their house burned down, the 2 kids went to live with Sr. and Teresa. They were tended to by nannies and had little contact with Sr because of his racing. They didn't have contact with Kerry either until much later. Everyone knows that Dale & Kelly looked out for each other growing up. They have a special bond that just doesn't exist with Kerry or Taylor. Taylor is Sr. & Teresa's daughter. Maybe they aren't as close as Jr & Kelly but it really isn't any of our business.
Barb Kinney said:
Jun 18, 2008 at 1:27 PMIn reply to grandamgt Russell.Kerry Earnhardt was around Jr & Kelly in their teen years racing and years ago if you did your homework Dale Jr daid how he was going to hhelp his brother Kerry which he didn't when he won the Winston. They might have a close bond but their treatment of Kerry & Taylor is not nice. They seemed to think they deserved 51% of DEI which neither one of them work hard to make what it was. Jr raced for DEI he did not make DEI.Like I said Dale Jr puts on a good show and that's about all it is a show.Blood is blood period.Taylor & Kerry lost a Dad not just Dale Jr & Kelly.Judgeing them i'm not but there is two sides to every story not just Dale Jrs & Kellys. I have followed the Earnhardt Family for many many years so maybe you should brush up on things that have been said in the past by Kelly & Dale Jr and if it's none of our business they shouldn't run their mouth on tv and in the press.
emily bagwell said:
Jun 18, 2008 at 2:41 PMBarb, I agree with some of what you say. I was obsessed with Dale Senior. i have all his races taped and two rooms of sovenirs and collectibles. i also have some of Kerry's things from when he was racing at the same time I started collecting Dale juniors cars. He does look like his dad, but he just nere could get his racing career going. I don't think he wanted to race to tell you the truth. Having said all of this, don't blame Junior or Kelly because Dale Senior married a money grubbing otfit who still chases the almighty dollar trying to sell Earnhardt's stuff.I got 5 solicitations just this week. And God knows she made enough off Little E while he was with her. Maybe Dale Senior should be blamed a bit for HIS children not seeing each other. i also expect Taylor has many other interests other than racing---just like Teresa.
Susan Coley said:
Jun 19, 2008 at 11:33 AMWell,my take on this subject is............it is none of our "the public's" business what the relationship is with all of the children. I do admire the close relationship that Dale Jr. and Kelley have. Don't blame them, if Kerry and Taylor want to have or for all we know, they could have a relationship with each other. But still, don't go bashing unless you know them personally....and I take it you don't Barb!! Let's all just go racin'!!
Marie Edwards said:
Jun 20, 2008 at 5:16 AMI am sure that Dale Earnhardt did not build DEI solely and exclusively for Theresa & Taylor. If you see the move Dale for 2007, he said he built it for his CHILDREN and his WIFE. That was for the entire family. And had Dale Jr not been as successful I doubt DEI would have had the revenue from the sponsors to keep the doors open. That is why some race teams go defunct. This article was solely about Dale Jr winning on father's day. His win. He won, not anyone else. Kerry nor Taylor won the race. Dale Jr did.
Marie Edwards said:
Jun 20, 2008 at 5:17 AMThis story was about HIS personal feelings, about winning, and HIS feelings about his father. I am sure the siblings have the best relationship they can under the circumstances. I have never heard Dale Jr or Kelley speak negatively about Taylor nor Kerry. Dale Jr even asked his fans to lighten up last year during those negotiations.
Marie Edwards said:
Jun 20, 2008 at 5:17 AMLet's try to remain on the subject. Dale Jr won on Father's Day. His father was important to him--thus he was emotional about the win. Enough said :)
Marie Edwards said:
Jun 20, 2008 at 5:24 AMThe movie I am talking about is the one with the clips from his life, interviews & the one sanctioned by his family, NASCAR films & CMT. The tag line is: Behind the wheel he was a legend, behind the legend he was one of us. I know that movie inside and out :)