How Will We Remember Dale Jr. And Will Carl Edwards Remember He’s A Driver?
By T. Walker
Obviously, there is more to NASCAR than Dale Jr., but right now, at this moment, JR Nation does not care.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is NASCAR for the masses. It is challenging for many to remember that there was racing before Dale Jr. and there will be racing after Dale Jr. Think I’m exaggerating? Don’t take my word for it. Just ask some of the young guns like Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney or veteran drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards. Yes, that Carl Edwards. But why Carl Edwards, you may ask? After all, he has retired, right?
Carl Edwards Is Not Thinking About Racing
Carl Edwards “temporarily” put his helmet on the passenger seat, but he will be back. He will remember that he can be happy and content behind the wheel of a NASCAR stock car. While being interviewed this past weekend at Sonoma Raceway, Edwards said, “I haven’t talked to anyone and I haven’t even considered coming back.” He also added, “I would love to be getting in a car and go qualify today. I love this place; love is an understatement. It’s a really, really special place for me.”
Edwards’ own words prove that he is not as out of touch and as through with NASCAR as he has claimed to be. Presently, he is not considering coming back, but NASCAR fans like myself refuse to believe he is gone for good; not by a long shot. Like Dale Jr., we can’t let him go. We will not forget.
LISTEN: Dale Jr. Retirement, Race Results, and Being Remembered
NASCAR After Dale Jr.
NASCAR will face a huge uphill battle with the absence of Dale Jr. Racing will not be the same once he retires. Let’s face it, NASCAR has not been the same without Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Jeff Gordon or Carl Edwards, but the green flag will still drop every Sunday and the race will go on. And if Danica Patrick decides to call it a day and hang up her fire suit soon as many have been speculating, most won’t care, but the day Dale Jr. leaves there will be a void that will not be filled no matter who is in the No. 88.
How Should We Remember Dale Jr.?
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going out as grateful as any driver in NASCAR history. With the announcement of his Appreci88ion campaign, a five-month promotion to celebrate his career while offering gratitude to everyone who made it possible, in one of his final acts, Dale Jr. has proved that he is one of a kind. I often feel like we are just starting to get to know who Dale Jr. really is as he continues to emerge from the shadow of his dad, Dale Earnhardt Sr., who is remembered as arguably one of the best to ever do it. No one can dispute the fact that NASCAR would not have become what it is today without Dale Jr.’s contribution to the sport over the last 18 years.
"“Now some 18 years later, I look at what became of it, and I just feel grateful. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of so many people, especially fans.” ~ Dale Earnhardt Jr."
NASCAR Talk
On the latest episode of All Turns No Brakes, a NASCAR podcast for fans by fans, we discuss Kevin Harvick’s win at Sonoma, Danica Patrick’s luck, Martin Truex Jr., also known as “The Stage King,” and some of the hot topics churning on the NASCAR rumor mill. We also discuss how much we admire Dale Jr.’s personality, which is a recurring topic on the podcast, and one that we simply cannot ventilate enough.
In practically every episode, it is almost certain that like most NASCAR fans, we find ourselves welcoming Dale Jr.’s realness. We love his honesty and we appreciate that he never shies away from offering fans a true look at how he really feels. He is not politically correct; he’s just Dale Jr., a grateful guy who will be remembered as a driver who was adored by fans for all the right reasons.
Check it out. Join the debate with Rene and I as we talk all things NASCAR in an unapologetic, humorous and unfiltered way.
Next: Comparing Kyle Larson To Jimmie Johnson
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