NASCAR pulls out all stops to rev up fading Cup Series
tion after missing the second half of last season with a concussion. Earnhardt’s sidelining absolutely cut into the audience, and had to send shivers down NASCAR’s spine over its dwindling cast of superstars.
Jeff Gordon is in the TV booth now, Tony Stewart is retired. They had seven championships between them and NASCAR is counting on Earnhardt to bring his fan base back to the track with him. How important is Earnhardt? Chicagoland Speedway, site of the Sept. 17 opening playoff race, has promised a full refund to anyone who buys a single-day ticket to that event between now and the Daytona 500 if Earnhardt wins for a third time.
But be prepared, Dale is different! He’s married, head-over-heels in love and you can double-click his Instagram account if you like photos of a man who has finally, in his 18th season, settled into his skin and found a peace that he is sharing with the entire world.
“Getting married has been incredible. I wish I would have figured this all out sooner,” he said. “I’m frustrated with myself that I took so long to grow up because I have an amazing wife and she’s changed my life.
NASCAR, though, must prepare for life after Junior, because Jimmie Johnson — who just won his record-tying seventh championship then had Snoop Dogg play at his party — and ex-champions Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch aren’t getting any younger.
NASCAR hopes it’s off to a good start with Daniel Suarez, the only non-American in the Monster Energy Cup Series who has become a sensation in his native Mexico. Only he didn’t get a promotion for becoming the first foreign-born series champion with an Xfinity Series title last November. No, the 25-year-old Suarez was promoted when Carl Edwards abruptly walked away at age 37.