Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jeff Gordon Admit to Heeding Advice of the Intimidator

With the drivers making their first appearances at Daytona at Fan Fest and other media events, there is no doubt that many were waxing philosophical. Many drivers were sharing special remembrances about the track and about drivers that they idolized as they moved through their careers in the sport.

Several drivers were also remembering pieces of advice that had been given to them by drivers past. Two drivers—in fact two of the best known in the business—were remembering advice given to them by one very special driver: none other than Dale Earnhardt, Sr.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. shared how often his dad gave him advice on the evils of drugs and how he should stay as far away as he could from them. Junior shared that his dad, who was away at the race track every weekend, was particularly concerned about him and Kelly falling prey to the evils of drugs:

“I’ve know some friends to have some trouble with drugs and struggle with several years of their life, getting mixed up in certain drugs…You see it every day amongst a lot of people, and fortunately or unfortunately, we hear about it on the radio or the television a lot. I didn’t know how difficult or how vulnerable of a situation I was in until I got older and realized how close it was”.

Junior said his dad talked to him about this issue all the time, “mentioning it almost on a daily basis.” He credits this advice as definitely keeping him on the straight and narrow.

Another NASCAR legend, Jeff Gordon, also shared how he, too, remembered the morsels of advice that Dale Earnhardt, Sr. parceled out to him over time. He admitted that when he was younger, this advice did indeed go in one ear and out the other.

But Gordon said that now that he is older and more mature, he realized that so much of what Earnhardt had said to him was important. Gordon found some of Earnhardt’s advice, particularly related to managing his brand, trademarking, and other licensing arrangements, has been especially helpful to him throughout his racing career.

Earnhardt, Sr. also counseled Gordon on life issues, especially exploring other interests outside the race track. He shared with Gordon how important it was to balance family and other passions, like fishing and hunting, with a racing career.

“And now here I am, and I have ownership in a team and I love property, and I actually went hunting last year with my stepfather, and I love to go fishing”, said Gordon. 

Gordon continued, “It’s kind of crazy. Maybe that’s just getting older. But I look back now on those days, those conversations with Dale, and it puts a big smile on my face because now I feel like I’ve really been following along some of the footsteps that he was saying”.

Both Gordon’s and Earnhardt’s words were particularly poignant at the track that meant so much to Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Those two racers, more than any others, now bear the mantle of the legacy which has been passed to them by "The Intimidator."

What advice would Dale Sr. share now? There is no doubt that his counsel would have been filled with life wisdom, eagerly shared and passed on.

But for all race fans, including this one, it sure felt good to hear these two drivers, now teammates, not only remember all that Dale Earnhardt, Sr. taught them, but also heed his advice by living out his legacy in their own lives.

Source:  scenedaily.com