MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 19, 2016) – Dale Earnhardt Jr. took some time to see how another half lives on Friday, taking in the annual Carolina Nationals for National Hot Rod Association machines at the Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway as a guest of Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO Marcus Smith.
Wearing a throwback Cassius Clay T-shirt, Earnhardt Jr. spoke with FOX Sports 1 about his visit to the drag strip with fiancée Amy Reimann and was on the starting line with her during a qualifying run. He hung out with NHRA Funny Car legend John Force, an old friend of Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Force’s daughter Courtney, who also drives in the Funny Car ranks. Earnhardt Jr. met Courtney through his friendship with her husband, Indy Car driver Graham Rahal, during their time driving National Guard-liveried cars in their respective series.
“[We’re here] just to see some friends,” Earnhardt told FS1 from the staging lanes on Friday. “My fiancée, Amy, she’s never been down near the tree for a run. I told her that’s one thing you have to see or do sometime in your life because it’s a modern marvel, really, what these cars can do. To see that kind of power and excitement take off and go down the strip is pretty impressive. Certainly an experience to be down here at the tree when the cars run. We don’t get that opportunity because we’re racing all the time, and since I’m out of the car we’re taking advantage of some chances here.”