Junior defends state of NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the pace car at Sunday’s Daytona 500, but beforehand he defended NASCAR against the critics who claim it’s a dying sport.
Earnhardt, in an interview in the infield media room Sunday morning, said NASCAR can overcome its well-documented malaise, which includes plummeting TV ratings, plunging attendance and an exodus of corporate sponsors.
“I love stock-car racing and NASCAR,” Earnhardt said. “I kind of take offense to anybody who has any cross words about it. It’s kind of like your brother. You can talk all the crap you want about him, but you won’t let anyone else do it.
“I look at NASCAR from its start to present day. I wasn’t around in ’40s and ’50s, but I’ve done my homework and try to be as aware as I can of where we came from. We can’t ride at the top of the mountain forever. There will be ups and downs and good days and bad days. You weather the storm. If you love it and believe in it, you stick in there and you gut it out because you believe it will cycle back to the good.”
Earnhardt also said he believes NASCAR has employed some smart people in charge of solving the sport’s deep-seated problems.
“I think there’s a lot of great conversation going on and a lot of great change happening,” said Earnhardt, who now broadcasts NASCAR races for NBC. “There’s some really, really good people who have the steering wheel right now. I’m excited about the next 5 to 10 years. It’s going to be a really interesting transition, and I think it’s going to be good.” Owen returns: It was a homecoming of sorts for country music artist Jake Owen, who returned to the familiar stomping grounds of Daytona International Speedway to perform before the Daytona 500 Sunday.
Owen, who is from down the road in Winter Haven, said he visited the Great American Race multiple times while growing up.
“It’s a big deal for everyone whether you’re a Floridian or not,” Owen said before the race. “When they fire those engines up … I think it was three or four years ago I was here and got to drive the pace car and it was pretty amazing.
“To be here as a kid, to come and share that moment with my friends and be all up in the stands and eventually somehow in life where I can hang out in the middle of this place and to be able to have these moments whether it’s to play music today or drive the pace car, these are things I’ll never forget.”
Owen has toured with acts like Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban and has had several hits, including Beachin’.
Thunderbirds flyover: The Thunderbirds once again performed the flyover over Daytona International Speedway following the national anthem.
The squadron was led by Lt. Col. John Caldwell, an Orlando native, who was excited to be back in the Sunshine State.
“This is my first time at the Daytona 500 and I have to admit this is an incredible experience,” said Caldwell. “The fan base is amazing, very warm and receptive.
“It is one of the highlights of our season because we have such a strong relationship with the people here.”
The Thunderbirds travel to around 42 locations throughout the year and take part in 60-to-70 airshows a year.