His career comes to an end, but Jarrett still 'feels great'
By Rea White - Associate Editor
Sunday, May 18, 2008
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CONCORD, N.C. – As the national anthem played prior to the Sprint All-Star Race Saturday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Dale Jarrett surreptitiously wiped a tear from his eye.
He’d just taken the UPS truck onto the track, completing a unique ad campaign focused around the theme of having Jarrett race the truck. He’d talked for months about how this would be his last start, his final time behind the wheel in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
But now the moment was at hand. Somehow, that made it all feel different.
Jarrett certainly didn’t have the run he would have preferred, finishing 21st in his Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota. He expected to have
some struggles, though, as the team he helped build continues to grow and learn.
As he climbed from his car, Jarrett held fast to the belief that he wouldn’t change anything, even if he could.
“It’s been great and I wouldn’t do anything different,” he said. “It feels great.”
Still, as the laps wound down, he found himself reflecting on his 24-year Cup career.
“It started with about five to go, [I] started taking things in and realizing it wouldn’t be happening anymore,” he said. “Once again, it was great. I’m very satisfied with the decision and the way things have gone in my career.”
Jarrett, the 1999 Cup champion, announced late last year his plans to retire from racing this season. He planned to run the season-opening non-points Budweiser Shootout then the opening five points races. After that, he’d focus on his new duties as an ESPN commentator and then conclude his career in the Sprint All-Star Race. He steadfastly held to that schedule and said that he doesn’t plan to return for any more races – to truly retire from the sport.
After all was said and done, he felt that retiring after this race was the right plan.
“It was the right one,” he said. “This race is about the fans and it was a chance for me to say thank you to them. They come here for the
reason of what the all-star race is about and it was the perfect race.
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Dale Jarrett
Comments
3 responses to "His career comes to an end, but Jarrett still 'feels great'"
walter gruner said:
May 18, 2008 at 9:17 AMjust a shame that mikey couldn't have given dj a competitive ride. maybe in hindsight he could have worked a deal with jgr to get dj something a little better. not sure mikey was trying as hard as dj was to build a decent team. thank's for the memories dj, we appreciate every one.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportChad Manley said:
May 19, 2008 at 3:16 AMThis is one fan who will probably retire with Jarrett. I sure will miss him.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHope Roberson said:
May 19, 2008 at 8:34 AMI agree Walter, Mikey should have given DJ a better ride, but maybe it's better the way it ended..without DJ getting into a wreck or something worse, like blowing up. You will be missed my dear hero. You are a wonderful human being with a heart as big as the sky. Have a wonderful retirement. At least now I will see more of you, up in the booth calling the races. Hope Roberson Aumsville, OR
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