Earnhardt goes from racetracks to classrooms

DOVER, Del. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. went back to high school this week.

Throughout the season, Earnhardt has been traveling to high schools across the country, speaking and interacting with students.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Earnhardt of the appearances. “The National Guard has been sending me to these high schools for about two or three years now.”

The driver of the No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet SS visited Dover High School on Thursday before heading to nearby Dover International Speedway for this weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup activities. Earnhardt may be in the media’s spotlight regularly, but that doesn’t stop him from feeling the pressure from his young audience.

“It’s super nerve-wracking because kids are the toughest critics,” Earnhardt said. “But to get up in front of the whole school and sit there and have a conversation, do a Q&A, I enjoy it.”

For Earnhardt, the appearances serve as a chance to interact with budding race fans.

“We take it as an opportunity to help kids of that age understand the opportunities that the Guard can provide and also just kind of talk about racing,” Earnhardt said. “There are a lot of kids at that age that are wearing T-shirts and racing shirts and jackets and they are fans. They want to know and they get an opportunity to ask some questions.”

And the 11-time Most Popular Driver seems to enjoy it just as much as the students.

“It’s a lot of fun for me and I always go away super happy about it,” Earnhardt said. “It’s a great experience so far.”