Despite Being NASCAR’s Face for 15 Years, Dale Earnhardt Jr Feels the Need to “Earn His Place”

Dale Earnhardt Jr did not achieve the feats that his father did behind the wheel. But outside, he did more. With 15 Most Popular Driver awards, helped the sport transcend boundaries. One of the most influential and known faces across the world of motorsports and entertainment during his zenith, he was the first-of-a-kind driver. Still a powerful voice years after his retirement, he has now expressed that he never takes the respect he received for granted.

Talking to former racer Kenny Wallace, the “Pied Piper of Daytona” opened up on his notions of self-awareness.

Dale Earnhardt Jr makes a self-aware declaration that he could lose it all

Talking on episode #29 of the “Kenny Conversation” show by Kenny Wallace, Dale Earnhardt Jr was asked how he deals with the fame and popularity he has obtained over his career. From appearing in music concerts to the magazine covers, and featuring alongside superstars like Michael Jordan in popularity lists, Dale Jr was the most adored figure in NASCAR in the 2000s. His voice still carrying heavy weight as he performs the role of an analyst with NBC, his answer was very much grounded.

Mentioning the influence Junior has, Wallace’s question went, “How do you deal with that? I mean I know that you know that. You hold the key. How do you deal with that? Is it a burden or do you like it?” 

Dale Jr replied, “I feel like that every day I got to get up and earn respect every day. I got to get up and earn my place in the sport and I don’t take it for granted. I don’t just assume that I’m gonna always have a spot at the table.”

The case has always been that when Dale Earnhardt Jr talks, NASCAR listens. While stars who are yet to achieve a fraction of what he did let the clout get to their head, it is refreshing to see Junior’s take on handling fame and respect.

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Rolling Stone, Forbes, GQ, you name it. Dale Earnhardt Jr’s name has appeared in almost all of the leading magazine’s most influential sports personalities list. It is not just the character of the icon that got him to the stature that he enjoys now. Through the help of his sponsors and the guidance of his father, he created a brand image that hadn’t been seen before in NASCAR.

Despite the name that he made for himself in the process of uplifting NASCAR, he emphasized to Wallace that all that he did was for the sport. Saying that, “See, my role is to make NASCAR better every day.” Acknowledging that he does get things wrong once in a while on his podcast or in front of NBC’s mic, he continued, “That’s truly what I want to do. That’s where my heart is.”

Though he is not a full-time driver anymore, Dale Jr does his part to please fans with the occasional appearances in the Xfinity Series and late-model racing. Continuing to do everything possible for the sport that he loves while maintaining his humbleness, he inspires the millions who love and follow him.

Read More: “Wasn’t the Power of the Earnhardt”: Dale Jr Shares the Reason Behind His Astronomical Fame