CONCORD, N.C. – Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR met the NFL.
Thanks to Nationwide, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis got the experience of a lifetime with the driver of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Davis, the NFL’s reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year, will drive the pace car to begin Sunday’s 600-mile race. After learning the skills he needs to pace the field, the linebacker got to hop into Earnhardt’s ride for a little faster experience.
“I want to give him the best representation I can,” Earnhardt said. “We might get up close to the wall a couple of times, but I want him to know what it really feels like.”
“Hey, I don’t scare easily,” Davis smiled as he prepared to climb into the Chevrolet.
“That’s what I figured,” Earnhardt replied.
And Davis backed it up once the two hit the track.
“I ran that thing as hard as it would go!” Earnhardt said. “He was filming the whole thing with his phone, like he was riding down the interstate.”
But Davis acknowledged that it was quite an adrenaline rush. He likened it to the feeling he gets running out of the tunnel at Bank of America Stadium every Sunday.
“It was an awesome experience, man, and I wanted to make sure I have everything captured so when I get home I can share it with my sons,” he said. “They love seeing me do new things, and this is definitely something new for me. Thank you for the opportunity. I appreciate it.”
And it gave him a whole new level of respect and understanding for what NASCAR drivers undergo on a weekly basis.
That was the most important part to Earnhardt.
“I love being able to take guys from other sports and put them in our cars and let them understand the temperatures and G-forces and loads and speeds and just the focus that you need. I think they get a new appreciation for it, obviously,” he said.
“I think when the guys get in the car they are able to understand that and see the intensity and the mental makeup and composition that you need to be able to compete and they can definitely appreciate that being competitors themselves.”NASCAR meets NFL.Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis have some fun before taking hot laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Posted by Hendrick Motorsports on Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The two athletes exchanged helmets, which they both autographed, and Davis was given one of Earnhardt’s Nationwide firesuits in addition to the personalized Nationwide firesuit the linebacker wore for the experience.
“I want to thank Nationwide for everything they have done for him and myself,” Earnhardt said. “Both of our foundations and charities have been able to benefit with that relationship quite a bit. Nationwide does a lot of work so we are thrilled to be a partner with them.”
For a photo gallery from the unique event, click here. Stay tuned later this week for some exclusive video of the duo's trip around the track.