Win a 2026 Vacation at Dale Jr.'s

Just $10.00 Per Ticket

 

The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals, having raised more than $11 million since its inception.

 

The Dale Jr. Foundation has made a monumental impact in the local community since its beginning. TDJF has contributed to more than 300 charities nationally and locally, including The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Blessings in a Backpack, Children’s Hope Alliance, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, FeedNC, and Mooresville Christian Mission.

 

Don’t miss your chance to buy a raffle ticket for an unforgettable getaway - a six (6) night stay at the Earnhardt Family Lakehouse on beautiful Lake Norman, NC, and so much more! Raffle ticket sales begin February 1 at 8:00 AM ET and end March 31 at 11:59 PM ET, with the winner drawn on April 8, 2026. See the below package details to explore everything included in this incredible package and purchase your ticket to support the Dale Jr. Foundation.

 

BUY TICKETS HERE

Ends on March 31, 2026

Drawing Held April 8, 2026

You still have a chance for a six night stay at the Earnhardt Family Lakehouse and so much more!

Purchase your $10 raffle ticket here: https://t.co/C3BQRUmgHW pic.twitter.com/u1uYA9KgPm

— Dale Jr Foundation (@tdjf) March 5, 2026

Package Includes:

• Six (6) Night Stay at the Earnhardt Family Lakehouse on beautiful Lake Norman, NC. House includes 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Large bonus room with Table Tennis, Stand-Up Paddle Boards and In-Ground Pool. Dates: May 20-25, 2026.
• Two (2) VIP JR Motorsports Pit Passes and Two (2) Grand Stand Tickets for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Saturday, May 23, 2026.
• Two (2) Race Tickets for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
• Two (2) JRM Fan Day autograph session wrist bands for Thursday, May 21, 2026 (includes Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports drivers).
• Two (2) Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame
• Private JR Motorsports Shop Tour
• Eight (8) Races at Trackhouse Motorplex
• $500 in Travel Expenses
• Swag Bag

 

source: Dale Jr. Foundation Media

Isla Autographs Weatherman's Bumper

Isla Rose Earnhardt, the first child of Dale and Amy Earnhardt, was born on April 30, 2018. She took time to place a smiley face on the #34 Chevrolet of driver Kyle Weatherman. Weatherman started the race from swenty-seventh (27th) on the grid and brought it home in sixteenth (16).

 

. @DaleJr's daughter, Isla, autographs the bumper on Kyle Weatherman's car prior to the Xfinity Series race. pic.twitter.com/ZGZngCgb4I

— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) April 8, 2022

 

Isla's father, Dale Jr. started the 'Call 811 Before You Dig 250 presented by Call811.com' far back in the field (30th) and recorded a eleventh place finish.

 

Earnhardt Family:  Dale Holding Isla Rose
with Amy Holding Nicole Lorraine

  

source: NASCAR Media

zzzzz

Mom Can We Go To the Race Track?

Happy Third Birthday Isla Earnhardt

"Mom, can we go to the racetrack?"@DaleJr and @AmyEarnhardt's daughter Isla turned 3 years old today, and her parents surprised her with a new go-kart! 😊 @onherturf pic.twitter.com/kkt4dTa6KZ

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) April 30, 2021

After the 1983 season, Dale Earnhardt Sr. returned to Richard Childress Racing, replacing Ricky Rudd in the #3.  Wrangler sponsored the team. During the 1984 and 1985 seasons, Earnhardt Sr. occupied victory lane six times, and  finished fourth, then eighth in the season standings, respectively.

Team Owner Richard Childress considered the legendary NASCAR Driver a great personal friend. In the thirteen years since Dale Earnhardt died in a wreck at the 2001 Daytona 500, Childress honors that relationship by sending a beautiful bouquet of flowers to Martha Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt's mother each and every month. 

Richard & Judy Childress have sent our grandmother Martha flowers every month since dad passed. 13 yrs. #Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/ZuYWQxCk0y
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 30, 2014

Join forces with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Superman!

What a perfect gift for the NASCAR Fan - Kid or Father!

NASCAR Race Mom loves the cap on the top right!  Mens, Ladies and Youth t-shirts, hats, hoodies, die-cast, can koozies, lanyards, collectible pins AND MORE are all available at the Official Trackside Merchandise Trailer for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and online at www.nascar.com/superstore.

FREE 3-Day SHIPPING at the NASCAR.COM Superstore
on orders over $50 with discount code: 123DAD. 

 

Happy Birthday Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver and team owner, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR. Earnhardt began his career in 1975 when he drove in the 1975 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the Winston Cup Series (later the Sprint Cup Series).

Earnhardt won a total of 76 races over the course of his career, including one Daytona 500 victory in 1998. He earned seven NASCAR Winston Cup Championships and his aggressive driving style earned him the nickname "The Intimidator."

He also carried the title of “Dad.”

In 1995, Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s hero card featured his three children Kerry (then 25), Kelly (then 22), and Ralph Dale Jr. (then 20). The Earnhardt children are the third generation of racers and were just beginning their racing career. Like their father, Dale Sr. and their grandfather, Ralph racing was in their blood.

Today would have been Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. sixty-third birthday. Happy Birthday to "The Intimidator."

Dale Jr. Learns a Lesson From 1994 Crew Chief

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Driver of the NASCAR #88

Dale Earnhardt Jr. met with members of the media at Daytona International Speedway. He reminisced about his 1994 – 1995 crew chief when he was twenty-years-old.

Question: You said you were happy for Steve. As much as you were, with the momentum that you guys were apparently coming into the season with, was it tough just to think, oh, man, why now?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Not really. I had a lesson back when I raced late models, I was working with Gary Hargett, and Gary Hargett and I worked together in '94, '95, and he became kind of like a grandfather to me, really, really, really close relationship. I spent a lot of time with him throughout the week and throughout the weekend, and when we went to the racetrack we went together. It was just a great relationship.

And there was a day where I had an opportunity to move my cars from his shop in Union County up to my shop to be able to work on them. It was an hour drive. And at that time I was working at the dealership in Newton, and then I would drive to Gary's at the South Carolina line and work on my car on Wednesday nights and then I'd drive back down on Fridays and go racing at Florence and Myrtle Beach on Friday and Saturdays, and it was a lot of driving around.

My father said, all right, we're going to bring your cars up here and I'll give you some space to work on them and you can keep them up here and learn how to build these cars and fix them, and I was just missing out on that experience being able to work on my own cars and understand them.

But I had to take it away from Gary, and I wanted him to come up to the shop and work, and he didn't want to drive an hour up there to work, so he decided he wasn't going to do that, so he had to split up. I was taking the cars and moving the cars up to Mooresville because that was what was good for me and my career, but I was going to have to do it without Gary.

And that was a real, real difficult choice to make. That was just a lesson I learned early, that things in the sport, no matter how great they are and how much you enjoy them, aren't always going to stay the same. This is just another situation where that's come true.

NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. - Testing at Daytona

2014 Sprint Cup Championship Odds

At least NASCAR Race Mom is not the only one going through NASCAR Withdrawals.

According to the Sporting News, the newly-crowned six-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his 2013 title rival Matt Kenseth are atop the first list of the 2014 Sprint Cup Championship Odds.

Johnson is listed as the favorite for 2014 at 3-to-1 odds, while Kenseth sits at 11-to-2 odds – a fair reflection of their solid respective seasons.

Next up is Kyle Busch, who has his title bid derailed at Kansas but hung tough with four Top-10s in the final six races to claim fourth in the championship at season’s end.

Dale Jr. with his 2014 National Guard Chevy (#88)

“Rowdy” has been placed at 13-2 odds by William Hill, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. right behind him at 7-1 odds after putting together a fine post-season stretch of his own following his blown engine in the Chase opener at Chicagoland.

Rounding out the Top 5 is Jeff Gordon at 10-1. The four-time champ’s big win at Martinsville catapulted him into the title picture with three races left, but a wreck at Texas forced his “Drive For Five” to continue into 2014.

Austin Dillon Displays his Championship Rings (NASCAR Nationwide & Truck Series)

Other notables include Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin and the returning Tony Stewart each at 15-1 odds; rookie of the year Ricky Stenhouse and Austin Dillon both at 75-1; Kyle Larson at 150-1; and Danica Patrick at 250-1.

NASCAR Race Mom's a Winner!

They say no good deed goes unpunished. As you know NASCAR Race Mom is a huge fan of all the charitable endeavors of the NASCAR Community. NRM is an especially big fan of the benevolent work of Sprint Cup Drivers #24 Jeff Gordon and his teammate #88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 

In fact, just a couple of days ago, NASCAR Race Mom posted about the Jeff Gordon's Children's Raffle which ended today. The proceeds of the raffle benefited the needed funding for childhood cancer research and treatment.

NASCAR Race Mom made sure to buy her ten tickets for the raffle. While I did not win the first nor second prize, NRM was just notified that she won the #9 prize (2005 JG Daytona picture, 1998 JG diecast, 1999 JG diecast/stats book).

 

It is too bad that the picture is not autographed. NASCAR Race Mom still does not have a Jeff Gordon autograph for her NASCAR Collection. However, that does not dampen the joyous feel generated by the fact that NRM was able to help kids in need AND receive a nice reward for that good deed!

Click here for post about Raffle

My Conversation with #24 Jeff Gordon

 

NASCAR AND NHRA STARS TO “PAINT THE TRACK PINK™”

This month, the hottest color in motorsports will be pink when the biggest stars in racing take the track to show their support for those affected by breast cancer.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr “Paint the Track Pink” #17

As part of Lionel Racing’s “Paint the Track Pink” initiative, drivers like Greg Biffle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Courtney Force and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will drive pink race cars as they battle for the win during breast cancer awareness month. “The color pink is now a universally recognized show of support for breast cancer victims and survivors,” said Howard Hitchcock, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Lionel Racing.

With the most popular drivers in both NASCAR and the NHRA driving ‘Paint the Track Pink’ cars, the entire racing community is going to make a strong statement of on-track support that fans can get behind, as well as raise awareness and funds for an important breast cancer charity, Hitchcock continued.

Not only will the pink cars on track serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done in fighting this disease, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each “Paint the Track Pink” die-cast will benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), a Texas-based charity that works to increase awareness through education, provide diagnostic breast care services for those in need, and provide support services. 

We are excited to partner with Lionel Racing, the official die-cast of NASCAR,” said NBCF Senior Vice President of Development, Brent Hail. “This promotion not only educates race fans about the importance of early detection, but the funds raised will help provide mammograms and early detection services for women in need.

Drivers participating in the “Paint the Track Pink” program include:

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. - National Guard Pink in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Martinsville.
• Greg Biffle - 3M Pink in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Martinsville.
• Brittany Force - Castrol Edge Pink at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove.
• Courtney Force - Traxxas Pink at the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove.
• Danica Patrick - GoDaddy Pink in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning at Kansas.
• Regan Smith - Fire Alarm Services Pink in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas.
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - Driven Pink in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Martinsville.
• Brad Sweet - Great Clips Pink in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Kansas.

“Paint the Track Pink” die-cast cars are now available for pre-order through LionelRacing.com, the NASCAR.com Superstore, and authorized die-cast dealers. 

NASCAR AND NHRA STARS TO “PAINT THE TRACK PINK™” FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

NASCAR Race Mom Has Her Dale Jr. Ticket

Well, more accurately – NASCAR Race Mom opened her pocketbook and bought four tickets. Along with dreams of owning Dale Jr.’s 2013 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, the thought of actually meeting NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver would also be a NASCAR Dream come true.

However, on a more reality based note
every ticket sold benefits ‘The Dale Jr. Foundation.’

About

The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals.

Mission

The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals.

Company Overview

The Dale Jr. Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by NASCAR Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Description

The Dale Jr. Foundation supports over 300 charities nationally and locally, including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Family Promise of Cabarrus County, Speedway Children's Charities, Ace and TJ's GRIN Kids, Barium Springs Home for Children, VH1 Save the Music Foundation, Blessings in a Backpack, Mooresville Soup Kitchen, and more.

For more information about the Foundation and the charities we support, as well as foundation updates visit www.thedalejrfoundation.org. 

Click here to purchase a $25 Raffle Ticket

 

 

Win Dale Jr.’s Ride

NASCAR Race Mom probably should not be spreading the word, because I would really love to be that lucky fan who wins Dale Jr.’s ride! However, more importantly than my own selfish desires is the great work “The Dale Jr Foundation” does. Check out the video below.

The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals.

If you can, please join me and buy a $25 raffle ticket to support this worthy undertaking. After all, would it not be wonderful if you or I could win Dale Jr.’s Ride while help other achieve their goals. Only 8,888 tickets will be sold and there are three awesome prizes up for grabs!

MORE ABOUT THE RIDE

• 2013 Corvette Grand Sport 
• Convertible hardtop • Black Exterior 
• Titanium Grey Interior 
• QZW wheels, grand sport black aluminum 
• 6.2L 430H Engine 
• 6 speed paddle shift automatic transmission 
• Heated front seats 
• Navigation system 
• 6 months of OnStar Directions and Connections 
• Bose premium audio 9 speakers 
• Bluetooth 
• Universal home remote 
• Keyless Access with Push Button Start 
• Power Heated Outside Mirrors • Total Value: $63,000

Grand Prize

Come over to JR Motorsports and pick up your 2013 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible presented to you by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. We’ll cover the federal taxes on the vehicle! Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of JR Motorsport’s race shop before taking off in your new ride.

Second Prize 

Opportunity for winner and a guest to attend the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series race of your choice as an Honorary Pit Crew Member on a JR Motorsports car. Includes race credentials, tour of the JRM race haulers, time spent on the JRM pit stall, roundtrip airfare for two*, as well as a VIP gift bag.

Third Prize 

Roundtrip airfare and Pit and Garage Access for two to the May 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Event in Charlotte, NC. While you’re in town, enjoy a $200 shopping spree at the JR Nation store in Mooresville, NC.

More information 

Raffle Dates: April 1 – October 1, 2013

Cost: Purchase one raffle ticket for $25.

Odds: Only 8,888 tickets will be sold.

Click Here To Purchase A Raffle Ticket

Source: 

 

The Greats Didn't Make It On Talent Alone

The new NASCAR Home Tracks spot aired yesterday during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race from Daytona, live on TNT. “Do Your Part,” pays homage to our local and regional series. It encourages fans to see and feel what NASCAR is all about in their hometowns. I also encourage you to experience NASCAR in person at your local track.

Attending a NASCAR race is a full senses experience. The bright colors; the roars of the engines and the screaming fans; the smell of brake dust and rubber; the taste of a cold beverage on a smoking hot day spent in the sun with your friends and feeling the rumble in your seat as the cars charge past. There is nothing in the world like attending a NASCAR Sprint Cup race in person. You'll be hooked.

Earnhardt's Granddaughter to Race as No. 3

Twelve-year-old Karsyn Elledge proud to carry on family's tradition in racing

SONOMA, Calif. -- Her name and car number are familiar signs of racing success, and Dale Earnhardt's 12-year-old granddaughter Karsyn Elledge announced plans Saturday to enter the family business full throttle.

Wearing a bright pink SpongeBob SquarePants driving suit, the petite eighth-grader stood in the Sonoma Raceway Winner's Circle and proudly unveiled the new No. 3 Nickelodeon-sponsored pink Mini Outlaw sprint car she'll use barnstorming the West Coast for her summer vacation.

Elledge has been racing for four years and has dominated the Mini Outlaw Box Stock class at her local Millbridge, N.C., short track, winning five of eight races this season. Her father, former Sprint Cup Series crew chief Jimmy Elledge, felt it a good idea to test her elsewhere, and the Nickelodeon sponsorship cemented the deal.

"It's very fun and not just because it's my family's thing," Elledge said of racing. "It's interesting and so much fun. And, I'm thankful for the opportunity."

As for the famous car number that donned her grandfather's championship cars, Elledge said, "I definitely am proud of the No. 3. I didn't get to witness what went on with this number, but I've only heard how great it was and I'm excited to carry on."

While Elledge comes from a lineage of racing royalty -- her mother is Earnhardt's daughter Kelley and her father is a former Cup winning crew chief -- she couldn't be more down to earth.

For someone on a first-name basis with Danica Patrick and who calls the sport's Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., 'uncle,' Elledge seems very much a typical pre-teen.

And that includes her list of heroes.

"(Danica Patrick) is like my idol because she's a girl and she races and she shows that girls can do it, too. That's why I like her," Elledge said. "She always asks me how my racing's going and wishes me luck. It's always fun when I talk to her because … she's Danica Patrick."

When Elledge isn't racing she said she spends time on her phone or computer, likes to ride her bike and visit with her horse. She insists her classmates in school don't pay much attention to her racing.

And Elledge couldn't be more humble about her early success and promising future.

"I've been to Victory Lane a couple times and I've had some not-so-good nights too," Elledge said smiling.

Her father got a bit emotional during the announcement, looking over to his daughter and acknowledging, "I guess she's growing up."

"You think, 'wow, this is a 12-year-old kid,' and you realize life is progressing faster than you think.

"I did not expect it. I took her to a race with me and she thought they were cool cars, and ignored her about it, but she kept asking and kept asking. So we got her a car. I didn't know if she'd stick with it or even be competitive at it. And we've evolved to this today."

Source: Holly Cain, NASCAR.com

Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This special day celebrates both fatherhood and the importance of male parenting. Of course my favorite NASCAR Father / Son Duo would have to be my very own husband and son.

Moses Smith and his father Paul

"My earliest memories are of my dad working on his street/drag car or building his sand rail in the garage," Moses said. "He was always involved in motorsports as a hobby and I thought it would be cool if I could do it for a living," Smith said.

Paul has always been an all-encompassing family man and constant source of support for his two sons. Moses started working with his father, in a race team garage by the age of three.

However, for second place, the Earnhardts and Pettys tie as favorite NASCAR Fathers and Son.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

(photo credit = msn.foxsports.com)

Dale Sr. won a record-tying seven NASCAR championships during his career; his 76 wins place him fourth of all time. His career was highlighted by his memorable first victory at the Daytona 500 in 1998. (Sadly, the driver of the No. 3 car died after a crash on the final lap at Daytona in 2001.)

Dale Jr. has carried on his father's driving legacy, making his debut on the Winston Cup circuit in 2000. In 2003, he finished third in the championship standings, and in 2004, Dale Jr. won the Daytona 500 six years to the day after his father's victory there.

Cool fact: When Dale Sr. and sons Dale Jr. and Kerry all competed in the 2000 Pepsi 400, it marked just the second time a father had raced against two sons.

Lee & Richard Petty

Lee, Richard, Kyle, and Adam Petty
(photo credit = nascar.speedtv.com)

Lee Petty was NASCAR's first real superstar, winning three drivers' championships between 1954 and 1959. He also won the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Richard Petty shares the record for most drivers' championships, having won seven between 1967 and 1979. He retired in 1992 with 200 career wins (the most ever) and joined his dad in the Hall of Fame in 1997. (Sadly, the Pettys suffered the loss of Adam Petty, NASCAR’s first fourth-generation driver on May 12, 2000. The young driver was practicing for the Nationwide Series at the New Hampshire International Speedway when his throttle stuck wide open, causing the car to hit the outside wall.)

Cool fact: Both Pettys were named among the Top 50 NASCAR drivers of all time in 1998.

Honorable Mention

Butch Gilliland, the 1997 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion and winner of 13 victories in the division. His then-crew chief, son David Gilliland, currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. David Gilliland still runs an occasional K&N Pro Series race. Butch must have raised him right, because David is one of the most polite and approachable drivers I have had the pleasure of meeting.

NASCAR Race Mom with a very nice David Gilliland at Sonoma Raceway (6/24/2011)

Cool fact:  David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series, had a career-best second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2013, pushing his teammate David Ragan to a surprising win.

Child, you outgrew my lap,
but never my heart.
Happy Father’s Day!

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Niece Karsyn Races Karts

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s niece Karsyn Elledge is just 11 and she races karts. She is progressing her racing career.

Karsyn is moving up to the 125cc go-kart class at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury, N.C., driving the No. 3 Air Hogs car on dirt.

Her dream is to one day race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series like her famous uncle.

Awesome, Dale Jr. Friday

By now, most of you know what a huge NASCAR fan I am. But did you know that teammates Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon are two of my all-time favorite drivers! 

A Hendrick Motorsports #88 Diet Mtn Dew 1:24 Scale Stock Car
Limited Edition Adult Collectable!

Recently NASCAR Race Mom was honored to have two unbelievable NASCAR opportunities. The first one involved a five-minute phone call with the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and Chase contender, Jeff Gordon. (see post here)

The second was an opportunity to participate in a Google+ hangout with nine-time, NASCAR Sprint Cup Most Popular Driver and NASCAR Chase contender Dale Earnhardt Jr. (see post here)

It has been a pretty good 2012 for this NASCAR fan. However, it did not prepare me for today. 

The U.S. Mail service brought me an awesome new green Dale Jr. hoodie. Now, I was expecting this attire. However, the mailperson also brought me a package from an unexpected source. The big box contained a Dale Jr. backpack; spy sunglasses; a Dark Knight Rises #88 Diet Mtn. Dew cap; and my favorite, a Hendrick Motorsports #88 Diet Mtn Dew 1:24 Scale Stock Car, Limited Edition Adult Collectable! 

Now while I was counting my blessings, in the back of my mind, NASCAR Race Mom lamented the fact that I still did not have that coveted Dale Jr. autograph. Then in a "real-life is stranger than fiction moment," my husband Paul walked in with a huge box the UPS man left. 

Doesn't NASCAR Race Mom look happy!

Believe it or not, the box housed a beautifully framed AUTOGRAPHED photo of Dale Jr.! Not sure what NASCAR Race Mom did to deserve all this special attention from Dale Jr. However to say I am appreciative would be a huge understatement. 

NASCAR Race Mom is honored to be a member of the Dew Crew!

On the Dew Crew with Dale Jr.

As a Mountain Dew Insider, and in the top ten of the “Dew Crew,” NASCAR Race Mom was invited to participate in an exclusive virtual press conference (via Google+ Hangout) with NASCAR Chase Driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 

Dew Crew Google+ Hangout with NASCAR Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

If you are like me, you probably do not know much about the free Google+ Hangout Feature. However, it is much like Skype in a conference call format. Google+ Hangout is very intuitive and user friendly. 

My five fellow invited “influencers” and myself were allowed to ask two or three questions. I was amazed at how congenial Dale Jr. was and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Mr. Earnhardt Jr. made me feel very welcomed and valued! 

With the assist of my readers, NASCAR Race Mom picked two questions to ask the nine-time, NASCAR Sprint Cup Most Popular Driver: 

Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were teammates at the 2001 Rolex 24.
(Photo by ISC Archives via Getty Images)

Question Two:

NASCAR Race Mom: What was the best piece of advice your father* gave you? 

Dale Jr.: One thing that was important to him was that we finish school. He dropped out of school in eighth grade at sixteen years old and even though he was able to have a successful career as a race car driver I think that he knew as he got older and understood just what he had done, I think he understood how limited and how the odds were stacked against him to have that type of career and have that kind of lifestyle so it was really important to him that myself and Kelly finished school and attempt to earn a degree in college. He was really glad that my sister went the extra mile to do that. I went to Mitchell, which is in Statesville, North Carolina, twenty minutes up the road and got an automotive degree because I wanted to work on cars, and at this time, when I graduated high school, driving race cars and being a race car driver for a living weren’t a guarantee. So I went and got an automotive degree to be a mechanic in a dealership, and that’s what I actually did for about four years. But, that’s what was most important, the standard stuff, stay away from drugs and alcohol and hanging around with the wrong crowd. He was always worried about us sort of getting mixed up in the wrong things and I just think he knew what the pitfalls in life were out there and how dangerously close we were to those and how easily affected and impressionable young kids are so he was really worried that we make the right choices at that age, but once we got done with college we got a lot of freedom, we made the choices we wanted to make and he wasn’t quite as concerned after that.

For Question One, click here to go to the NASCAR Race Mom blog. 

* Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001) is considered one of the best NASCAR drivers of all time. Earnhardt Sr. won a total of 76 races over the course of his career, including one Daytona 500 victory in 1998. He also earned seven championships as his aggressive driving style earned him the nickname "The Intimidator". 

A complete video of the event should be available soon.