Enthusiastic Dale Jr Recalls the “Greatest Thing Ever” When the NASCAR Great Trumped Michael Schumacher

In a stunning clash of titans at the Race of Champions, two racing legends battled for supremacy on the asphalt stage. The year was 2008 when the illustrious Michael Schumacher, lured from retirement, rekindled his racing fire at Wembley Stadium. Yet, it was the NASCAR virtuoso Carl Edwards, who dared to challenge the seven-time world champion. 

On the latest episode of the ‘Dale Jr Download’ podcast hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr and co-host Mike Davis, the air crackled with excitement as they delved into the captivating tale of an unlikely showdown – one that pitted a NASCAR great against the renowned Michael Schumacher of Formula 1 fame.

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“Let’s just be honest,” Dale began with a spark of curiosity, “what kind of shot does motorsports have to make it? Is it a global sport?”. Davis caught the bait, “Yeah, I mean, can you imagine… an F1 driver representing his country, you know, couple of NASCAR, you know, Yeah, yeah, it’s a global sport and I’m not saying it’s global like soccer.” 

But the gem of the conversation lay just around the corner, a memory that ignited JR Motorsports owner’s reminiscences. “So what is the Race of Champions that they used to have?” he inquired, prompting a nostalgic grin from Mike. “It was in the stadium kind of that, you know, they’d have two lanes and the drivers racing,” he added.

“Michael Schumacher and I think Carl, Carl Edwards had a race in. Carl beating that was like the greatest thing ever. Carl Edwards beat Michael Schumacher.” Dale exclaimed. “So it used to. It used to happen and it was still going like a couple years ago they they did it on ice somewhere recently in Norway I think is that yeah.” The international flair of the event was evident, transcending geographical boundaries in a dance of wheels and horsepower. 

The event, hosted at the iconic Wembley Stadium in 2008, saw Schumacher, who had returned to the driver’s seat after over a year of retirement, facing off against the seasoned American racer.

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So what exactly went down in the race between Edwards and Schumacher?

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Edwards, renowned for his 28 triumphs in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, came prepared to challenge the seven-time world champion, and he did so with astounding finesse. The Abarth 500 Assetto Corse vehicles of both competitors were primed for action. As the lights dimmed and the engines roared to life, the crowd was treated to a spectacle that would go down in racing history.

Despite Schumacher’s legendary prowess on the track, it was Edwards who showcased his mettle, skillfully navigating the twists and turns of the course. In a twist that sent shockwaves through the racing community, Edwards clinched victory with a commanding lead of over two seconds, leaving Schumacher trailing in his wake. This triumph must have felt akin to claiming a championship title for the NASCAR sensation.

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As the commentators speculated and the crowd held their breath, the race unfolded in a manner that defied expectations. Edwards’ familiarity with oval tracks undoubtedly provided an advantage. Still, Schumacher’s expertise in mastering turns and straightaways couldn’t be overlooked.