NASCAR World Reacts to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Retirement

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In: NASCAR Cup Series News

Statement from Eddie Gossage at TMS

“Dang it! Dale Jr., put my kids through college and I was hoping he would stick around long enough to send my grandkids to college. You have to be happy and support him when he makes a choice like this and, certainly, I do. Now I’ve got to go pony shopping…”

IMS Statement about Retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after 2017 Season

“Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a NASCAR legend, and everyone at IMS offers him best wishes after his retirement as a full-time driver. His legacy is secure as a champion, a winner, a great ambassador for motorsports and a class act. Dale always has given so much of himself to everyone, especially the fans. We’re looking forward to seeing him race one more time at IMS during the Brickyard 400 weekend on July 21-23. And, as a promoter, I’m usually neutral and support the field, but frankly I hope Dale wins the 2017 Brickyard 400!” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles

Statement from Darlington Raceway

“All of us at Darlington Raceway wish Dale Earnhardt Jr. the best as he announces his future retirement at the end of the 2017 NASCAR season. Dale has been a tremendous supporter of Darlington Raceway and our throwback weekend. His passion for the history of the sport has forged a special relationship with our race track. His contributions, attitude and perseverance throughout his career have made him a fan favorite for many, many years. He has carried the Earnhardt name with great pride and dignity and he has had an enormous positive impact on us all.  We wish Dale, his wife Amy and their entire family all the best and we encourage our fans to show their support as Dale races in his final Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Sept. 3.” Darlington Raceway President Kerry Tharp

Statement from Richmond’s President Dennis Bickmeier

“The Earnhardt name is iconic in the sport of motor racing,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “Dale Earnhardt Jr. has upheld the legacy of his family to lift the sport to new heights. We look forward to watching Dale Jr’s last Richmond day race this weekend and his final regular season race this September in Richmond. We wish him all the best as he continues to serve the sport and its fans in the years to come.”

Statement from LVMS President Chris Powell

“Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been the embodiment of NASCAR for two-plus decades.  His respect for NASCAR’s history and his willingness to help develop the sport’s next superstars make him the true bridge from NASCAR’s past to its future.  He has done all of that with humility, leading to his being voted by the fans as the sport’s most popular driver every year since 2003. We’ll miss him here in Las Vegas as well.  While he never won here, his 10 top 10s tie him for first all-time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and he’s been a great ambassador for our speedway and our city.  We wish him well for the remainder of the 2017 season and beyond and hope he remains a very visible part of NASCAR for many years.”

Statement from Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell

“Every driver deserves the right to go out on his terms and I’m happy that Dale’s able to do that. While Dale won’t be on the track next year, I have no doubt that he will continue to serve as a great ambassador for our sport. One of my favorite memories at Martinsville came in 2014, when he finally won here, taking home the grandfather clock. As a historian of the sport, I know what that meant to him and seeing how excited he was is something I will never forget. I look forward to seeing him one more time in a Cup car here in the fall and look forward to continuing to see him around the garage for years to come.” – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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