1999 Cup Champ Reminisces His Memorable Yankees Encounter After Being Honored by Favorite MLB Team

The 1999 Cup Champion found himself back in the spotlight, for reasons unknown to the drills that is the racetrack. Honored by his favorite MLB team, the NASCAR champ had the distinct privilege of throwing out the first pitch before Tuesday’s game in the regular season.

The story goes beyond the ceremonial first pitch… Dale Jarrett took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about a significant encounter from the past. Jarrett’s connection with baseball is no secret as his son plays in the minor leagues. However, on Tuesday, it was more than just about being in the cage for batting practice; it was about remembering a grueling day back in 2001.

Dale Jarrett’s trip down memory lane to an MLB World Series game from 2001

After throwing down in the cage with a bit of batting practice, Dale Jarrett remembered the hot Sunday afternoon of 2001 when the Arizona Diamondbacks faced off New York Yankees in the World Series. What made this day particularly memorable was that Jarrett ran a race on the same day. Post this, he wasn’t one to burn daylight; he boarded a helicopter straight to the baseball game.

In conversation with Cameron Cox from 12News, Jarrett fondly recalled that unique day. It was a day of dual passions—racing and baseball—coming together. “Dale, this is a special place for you to be in the ballpark,” Cameron said to Jarrett. “And you were just telling me, your very first baseball game was a game during the World Series. You raced that day, then took a helicopter over to the ballpark right back in 2001.”

“Yes, sure did,” Jarrett affirmed. “They [Dbacks] were playing the Yankees in the World Series. And so, we came over here to watch. The problem was, I was dehydrated, and being a Coca-Cola family member, they didn’t have Cokes there. It was that other product. And so, I spent a lot of time trying to get hydrated, but didn’t get something like the seventh inning that I could drink there.”

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Fast forward 18 years, and Dale Jarrett found himself back on the field. This time as an honored guest of the Dbacks. Before the game, he had the opportunity to step into the batter’s cage for some batting practice. “How did it feel being in the cage? I know it’s a little different, right?” Cameron asked.

“Yeah, no, it’s a lot different. Especially now,” said Jarrett. “It’s been like 20 years since I actually did that. I pitch to my son who’s in the minor leagues. I pitch to him all the time. But I never take any swings myself. And so, I went and took a couple of swings, did that last week. He helped me a little bit. It was a lot of fun to get in there. And you realize just how hard this game is.”

During the conversation taking a segue into all things NASCAR, Cameron took the opportunity to ask the NASCAR legend about his take on the ongoing Cup Series season. Denny Hamlin was a topic of discussion.

Jarrett’s prediction set the stage for an exciting battle

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As the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs continue to unfold, Dale Jarrett shared his insights on the championship race at Phoenix in November. With the Round of 12 underway at Texas Motor Speedway, the competition is heating up, and five drivers stand out as top contenders.

Jarrett singled out two drivers he believed could make a significant impact in the championship race. The first is Denny Hamlin, a seasoned veteran known for his consistency and racing prowess. Hamlin’s performance in the regular season secured his spot in the Round of 12. And with the support of Joe Gibbs Racing, he’s poised to be a formidable contender.

However, Jarrett noted that Hamlin faces strong competition. This is in the form of Kyle Larson. Larson’s standout season in 2023 has showcased his speed and adaptability. Jarrett opined, “I think Denny Hamlin is the favorite going in, but he’s gonna have to outdo Kyle Larson, who won here just a couple of years ago, won his championship. So, I think it comes down to those two, but you never know.”

You never know, indeed.

READ MORE: NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett’s Iconic Triumph Over Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon as Heard From the Horse’s Mouth