Earnhardt Jr.: 'I will be sad for my dad'
By Jeff Gluck
Saturday, November 17, 2007
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Grant Halverson / Grant Halverson / Getty Images
CHARLOTTE, NC - JUNE 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet, announces that he will drive for Hendrick Motorsports next season during a news conference at JR Motorsports June 13, 2007 in Mooresville, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dale Earnhardt Jr
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HOMESTEAD, Fla. - As Dale Earnhardt Jr. prepares to embark on the final race of his career at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and leave behind the company his father built, he was feeling a bit sad despite what awaits him at Hendrick Motorsports.
Earnhardt Jr. clashed with stepmother Teresa, which caused him to leave DEI. But his late father, Dale Earnhardt, built the company with the idea that his son would win championships there.
"I will be sad for my father that things aren't different," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I'm sad for him - not for me, not for anybody else. I'm just sad because his vision was different. He was such a great person, and his visions were great and worthy and should be realized, and that'll be a shame."
Earnhardt Jr. said he tries not to think about what might have been had his father not been killed in the 2001 Daytona 500.
"There's a lot of meat to that, a lot of substance to that thought," he said. "There's a lot of what-ifs if he were here."
Despite walking away from the No. 8 car for the final time, Earnhardt Jr. is excited about the future and said he knows there's a solid support system at Hendrick awaiting him.
"People are like, 'You haven't won championships, and now you're going to a team who has won championships, and what if you don't?'" Earnhardt Jr. said. "That's sort of the opposite of the mentality. The mentality is, where can I get that opportunity, where can I find the chance? Where's the best shot? Put me there. Place me in that situation and give me the tools, because I want to know.
"I've got questions about my ability and whether I can get it done. I'm confident in my talent and I want to be in the best possible shape every year of my career."
- Mentioned Drivers:
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Comments
6 responses to "Earnhardt Jr.: 'I will be sad for my dad'"
Jinnie Ericksen said:
Jul 2, 2008 at 8:33 AMWe who loved your Dad and love you are sad too Jr....Your Dad rides with you...Good Luck and Congratulations.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRandy King said:
Jul 4, 2008 at 7:54 AMNascar's not the same without Dale Sr. I'm sad for DEI and where it's heading.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMark Ernst said:
Jul 24, 2008 at 9:52 PMDale Sr was the reason i became a fan at the start of the 82 season. I seen Junior get his first win in the Busch and Winston Cup Series. Two awesome races in Texas!!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportlinda boylan said:
Jul 26, 2008 at 6:21 PMSince Jr. moved over to my fav team I have really enjoyed watching him so I say this with the most respect Dale Sr. was a smart man and D.E.I is right where he wanted it to be(with Theresa).If he wanted his kids to have a bigger interest he would have made sure they had it. She would have been crazy to just give it to Jr.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportPete Benanti said:
Jul 30, 2008 at 2:04 PMI just don't get how easily the Jr. fans simply converted over to the arch rivals, Hendrick Motorsports. I don't root for him anymore. He is not on my team...why would anyone root for someone not on thier team. It is amazing that there are actually fans out there who hate Jeff Gordon & Jimmy Johnson and like Earnhardt. I hope they don't do thier own taxes. There is no loyalty when it comes to teams in Nascar and that is the real SAD part.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportchris camino said:
Jul 30, 2008 at 9:33 PMSr never expected to be killed. He was Superman. He never thought Teresa would have controle of this company so soon. Dale had planned to retire from driving and be a team owner. Jr didnt go to an arch rival. Ford is Jr's rival. He once said he didnt even like to ride next to them on the track,that he would never own, drive or sit in a Ford. Jr did the right thing.
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