Raleigh, N.C. (Oct. 28, 2016) – Aside from being a fan of NASCAR and all its history, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also an avid sports fan. So when his local NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes, asked him to sound the siren for the team’s home opener against the New York Rangers on Friday night, Earnhardt Jr. jumped at the honor.
“When I got asked to do this, especially on opening night, I was so honored to have this opportunity,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “I was so nervous to do a good job. [It’s] very exciting. Just like any other sporting event, when you come out and see it in person, it’s easily a way to get hooked on it. I’d encourage all the fans to come out and check it out in person if you haven’t before.”
As someone who has an affinity for the NFL and his beloved Washington Redskins, finding Earnhardt Jr. rink-side at an NHL game posed an obvious question. How did he get into hockey?
“Regan Smith is a friend of mine who races”, Earnhardt Jr. explained. “He’s a huge hockey fan who got me into and watching hockey, trying to pick the game up as I go. Obviously, I’m going to be fan of the home team and pull for the Hurricanes. He taught me a lot about it. It’s pretty awesome, very high speed, and a lot of more energy to it, especially when you see it in person. It’s so different than when you see it on television.”
When asked about the what having a local hockey team to support means to the residents of the Carolinas, Earnhardt Jr. had a simple response.
“It’s very proud for all the people in North Carolina [and] South Carolina,” he said. “It’s great to have this kind of action down here. We’ve had the Checkers and that was a great draw for Charlotte. This is a great thing for the state of North Carolina. We’ve got tons of fans here that are very excited about this team, and it’s going to be a great season.”
In front of Earnhardt Jr. and the home crowd, the Hurricanes bested the Rangers 3-2 in their home opener. They’ll host the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. ET.