CONCORD, N.C. – An NCAA-record 343 consecutive stadium sellouts.
That is what the University of Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium has been cultivating since 1962.
And Nick Covey, jackman for the No. 88 team of Dale Earnhardt Jr., knows exactly how it feels to play in that sold-out stadium.
Covey was a linebacker for the Nebraska Cornhuskers from 2005 to 2009 and spent many games amidst the Sea of Red that their stadium is known as.
“There is a lot of red and it is intense,” Covey said. “It is fun, packed, crowded, loud and a good atmosphere.”
In high school, Covey knew he wanted to go to a big football college in hopes of one day furthering his football career.
“When you’re in high school and you think of big-time schools, Nebraska is one of the ones that pop into most anybody’s mind,” Covey said. “I was thinking more along the lines of how I could get in to play in the NFL; I figured that would be my best way of getting into it.”
But after multiple injuries in college, he knew that his football career would eventually come to and end and he needed to move on to pursue something new. That is where Hendrick Motorsports came along. Covey had heard about a tryout, participated, and then made the team.
Although Covey was not really a race fan growing up, he was not a complete stranger to the sport.
“My dad tried to get me into racing quarter-midgets when I was like in sixth or seventh grade,” Covey said. “Then I just kept getting bigger and it was expensive and I just decided to stick with football.”
Covey has been at Hendrick Motorsports since 2009 and said there is no comparison between the two sports.
But he acknowledged that football has given him the skills he needs to be a jackman.
“Growing up and playing (football) has given me the ability to be fast at my job now, as far as getting around the car,” Covey said. “I think I can control a lot more things from playing football.”
Covey said he hardly keeps up with Nebraska football nowadays. Instead, he focuses on his wife and kids and what sports they are going to play.
The Cornhuskers have won two games so far this season. Catch them Saturday, Oct. 17, as they take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers at 3:30 p.m. ET.