Up Close And Personal With Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Jul 15, 2008
He is 29 years old, single and free to spend his money and his free time doing whatever he wants whenever he wants, no strings attached.
He collects cars and trucks. In his personal fleet, he has a number of beauties, including a 2001 “Intimidator SS” Camaro and a Chevrolet Z-71 pickup.
He listens to music. And he’s really into surfing the net and watching old TV reruns.
I know this to be true because he was asked the other day what Web sites he visits when he is hanging around the garage aimlessly killing time during a rain delay. And the rain that hit on Thursday night and forced the cancellation of Cup qualifying wasn’t of the ordinary variety.
“I go on iTunes a lot,” Earnhardt said after one slow pitch was lobbed in his direction. “Does everybody remember the mini-series Lonesome Dove? Yeah? That just came out on DVD. They just released it. And iTunes has released it. So, I downloaded that.
“I’ve got it on VHS, but the picture is horrible because it’s so old. I watch that because I like Augustus McCrae and Woodrow Call. Those are my two heroes.”
And what else?
I don’t believe that.
Rather, I think he has learned to act the part handed down to him by his mommy and daddy, that of playing the son of a racing legend and serving as keeper of a proud family name. And I think the people who drive around with “88” stickers in the windows of their own vehicles feel like than can identify with Junior because of the way he presents himself.
Simple is a shtick he has mastered, just like weaving through traffic.
