Hendrick looked on with pride from the crowd as Earnhardt made his opening remarks, later joining his driver on stage for the question-and-answer portion of the event and spoke with the utmost respect about the driver he first brought on to his team in 2008.
“Dale, Kelley and his family, they’re more to me than just a race car driver,” Hendrick explained. “He’s like a son, and we’ve had … for many, many years, a tremendous relationship. I really appreciate what we’ve been able to do together, and I appreciate the kind of guy he is and what he’s done for this sport, for NASCAR, for me personally, our company, the sponsors and everyone. And to the [people] that I’ve talked to in the last few days, our sponsors and all of our partners … the first thing they’ve said is, ‘We want what Dale wants. We want what’s best for Dale.'”
“He has delivered and given more than anybody I know. I’m fortunate today because he and I have got a lot left to do. Dale wants to help me here at [Hendrick] Motorsports, and at JRM bringing the young drivers along. We’re in the automobile business together, so I feel like I’m excited about the next chapter.”
NASCAR’s second-winningest car owner added that Earnhardt’s unique character will be both missed and celebrated in the NASCAR garage area.
“He deserves everything (that he’s earned) … all the awards and all of the accolades,” Hendrick said. “There will never be another Dale Earnhardt Jr. He’s the one. But I’m just super excited and very appreciative of what he’s done and what he’s meant to me personally, and what he’s done for our company … but most of all, what he means in my life.”
Earnhardt may be closing his Cup career at the end of the season, but it doesn’t mean that he won’t be at the race track, nor does it mean that he’ll be completely finished driving a race car.
He revealed that he has two NASCAR XFINITY Series races confirmed for 2018, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro, and also added that he might run a short-track race here and there through his JR Motorsports late model program, likely at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
But completely leaving the sport was never in the cards, nor was it considered.
“I don’t see myself really detaching from NASCAR,” Earnhardt said. “My intention is still to be involved in the sport on some level. … I want to be a part of the future of this sport for many, many years to come.”
Earnhardt did admit that the thing that he’ll miss most about not being in the race car each week is the bonds at the race track with his team members.
“I’ll miss that camaraderie, and I’ll miss it for the rest of my life., but the friendships I’ve made will live beyond the time we’ve spent in the garage together. My heart loves being in the car. I love driving, and I enjoy it as much as I ever have, but I’ll miss the team.”
Tuesday’s press conference closed with a question directed to Earnhardt, asking if he thought his father (Dale Earnhardt Sr.) would be proud of him for making the decision he made.
The son’s response was that his father likely wouldn’t have told him directly, but instead told everyone else.
“I’ve always let other people tell me what they think dad would think in a certain situation,” Earnhardt said. “I’ve never really assumed he was proud of me when he was alive, so I would never make that mistake after he passed. I’ve just never felt like I was worthy enough to assume that.”
“I don’t think he would tell me [he was proud] to my face, but he would probably tell Rick or anyone else that would listen that he was very proud of me, and then I’d have to go hear it from Rick.”
Hendrick smiled before offering a final response to Earnhardt.
“I knew your daddy pretty well, and he would be proud of the man that you are and what you’ve done for so many people … all the charities [you’ve helped] and all the good will that you’ve done. He would be … and is … very proud of you.”
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: [email protected]
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