CONCORD, N.C. – As Dale Earnhardt Jr. wraps up his final full-time NASCAR Cup Series season, he’s making sure to seize the opportunity to express his immense gratitude to everyone that has helped him along the way.
Starting this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, Earnhardt is embarking on the JR Nation Appreci88ion Tour.
“My expectations were very low when I started racing – I just wanted to pay my bills,” Earnhardt said. “If I could pay bills and make a living by racing, that was a win.
“Now, some 18 years later, I look at what became of it and I just feel grateful. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of so many people, especially fans. So, as I visit tracks for the last time in this role, that is my motivation. I’m going to drive as hard as I can for the people who made an 18-year Cup career possible.”
The five-month Appreci88ion campaign will give fans the opportunity to celebrate Earnhardt’s career as well through social media, at-track activation and even special merchandise.
Throughout, fans can join the celebration by using the #Appreci88ion hashtag on social media. Earnhardt himself will be using it to share weekly videos recounting memories and milestones from each of the upcoming tracks the remainder of the season.
“Long after your career, guys come along and win races and some of your accomplishments on the track sort of get forgotten. But who you are as a person never gets forgotten,” Earnhardt said after last weekend’s top-10 finish at Sonoma Raceway. “I hope people just thought I was good and honest and represented the sport well. I hope people that worked with me enjoyed working with me, whether it was in the late model ranks or whatever; and I hope the guys I raced against enjoyed racing with me. That’s really all that will matter.”
Most of all, he wants the fans – and everyone else who has touched his career along the way – to know how much they have meant to him.
“Hopefully I left a good impression,” the driver said. “I’ve had a lot of fun.”
For more information on the Appreci88ion campaign, check out DaleJr.com.