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DARLINGTON, SC – SEPTEMBER 3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Sr. pose for a photograph after the Pepsi Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway on September 3, 2000 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SC – SEPTEMBER 3: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Sr. pose for a photograph after the Pepsi Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway on September 3, 2000 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
NASCAR is a sport that primarily operated within the confines of the United States. This means that it was rare for the sport to go anywhere outside of American soil. However, the 1998 Coca-Cola 500 at the Motegi Speedway in Japan did just that. What made this race more special was the fact that Dale Earnhardt Jr. competed in the Cup Series for the very first time and raced against his father.
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To make things even more interesting, the father-son duo were piloting special Coca-Cola race cars. In this scenario, Dale Sr was driving a red #3 car, bearing the signature Coca-Cola Red Disk Icon. Meanwhile, Dale Jr. was driving the #1 car with the Coca-Cola polar bear emblazoned on it.
Speaking about racing his dad, Dale Jr said, “My dad is the reason I am in this sport. He’s someone I have always looked up to, not only as my dad but as a great race car driver. The biggest thing I’m thinking about right now is our team getting some cars ready that will be competitive.”
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“It might be really weird the first time I try to pass him on the track if I get a chance to pass him. But, it’s something that will be exciting for both of us I’m sure.”
What did Dale Earnhardt Sr. say about the showdown?
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Speaking about his own father, Dale Sr. admitted that it was ‘neat’ to face off against him. So, it was pretty exciting for him to see his own son follow in his footsteps, and looked forward to facing him at Motegi. It is also interesting to note that both father and son had achieved some incredible milestones during that year.
PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ — November 6, 1999: Although he finished second to Jeff Gordon in the Outback Steakhouse 200 at Phoenix International Raceway, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. (L) and his dad Dale Earnhardt (R) had plenty of reason to celebrate, as the younger Earnhardt clinched the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series championship even though there was still one race to run the following week at Homestead-Miami Speedway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)
When the season had kicked off, Dale Earnhardt finally realized his dream of winning his first Daytona 500. In the same year, Dale Jr clinched the NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division championship.
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WATCH THIS STORY: “A Life Dedicated to Building Our Sport” – From Jimmie Johnson to Chase Elliott, NASCAR Community Pays Tribute to Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.
From the fans’ perspective, this was a dream come true, as they got to witness Dale and Dale Jr compete against each other.
