Leave
Junior Alone!
Let's
get this out of the way at the start; Dale Earnhardt, Jr. owes you nothing. The
man has raced at the highest level of NASCAR for 19 years now. He's earned 26
Cup wins, good enough for 7th among active drivers and 29th overall. He's also
finished in the top ten in points seven times. He's accomplished all this in
the face of unrealistic expectations many placed on him over the years, simply
because of his name. He's also done this at great risk to his physical and
mental health, as evidenced by his history of concussions and how they have affected
him. Even as he steps away from racing, there will be questions about possible
long term consequences. Yet for some in NASCAR fandom, that doesn't seem to be
enough.
Although
Dale announced earlier this season that he was retiring at the conclusion of
this season, the question came up a few weeks ago about whether he might race
in the 2018 Clash at Daytona. His wife Amy let it be known that she opposed the
idea. Immediately, some extremely vocal and selfish people who would call
themselves fans, started directing vitriol in her direction through social
media. They stated in sometimes colorful language, littered with insults that
they believed it wasn't her decision to make, that if Dale wanted to race, he
should race regardless of what she thought. Are you kidding?! She's his wife;
of course she should have a say in the decision, especially considering his
health scare in 2016. It makes one wonder what kind of marriage some of those
"fans" themselves have if they find it illogical for a spouse to have
any input in a decision like that.
Some
say and have said since he entered NASCAR that he wouldn't have gotten where he
was if not for his name. What they fail to consider is that with that great
opportunity, came unwarranted pressure they can't even fathom. It has been a
trade off those critics probably can't comprehend. It's one thing to ask a
preacher's kid or a banker's child if they're going to follow in their father's
footsteps. Those men aren't performing their job in front of millions of people
on a weekly basis. Dale Junior didn't have to follow his dad's career path but
he wanted to, knowing he would be judged throughout his career that no one
other than the possibility of Kyle Petty could comprehend. It's probably been
worse for Dale simply because of the social media platforms which exist today.
Junior
made his millions years ago. He's not been racing because he has to. After last
season's concussion scare, in a society which is finally realizing the possible
long term effects of repeated brain trauma, no logical person could have
faulted Dale if he decided not to get back in the car. Perhaps he did so from a
sense of obligation. Maybe he did it because he wanted to prove something to
himself or perhaps he wanted to leave on his own terms. Whatever the reason, he
worked hard to be ready for the 2017 season. For that his fans should be
appreciative. Whether he wins again, enjoy this season for what it is; be
thankful you're seeing him leave the sport when he wants, the way he wants.
He'll
still be in the sport next season and beyond, just in different roles. It was
announced this week that NBC has hired him for their broadcast team. He still
has an Xfinity Series team and has even mentioned the possibility of racing in
a limited number of events in that series. Whether he does or not, that's up to
him and no doubt, he'll take his wife's desires into consideration, as well he
should. That's how normal people function in a successful and healthy marriage.
Your thoughts or anyone else's are meaningless to that conversation. What kind
of person considers themselves a fan of an athlete, musician or other celebrity
yet doesn't care about what that individual and those close to him want or feel
is right for them? Is that really a fan or just some obsessed and illogical
individual?
Dale
Earnhardt, Jr. has done plenty in this sport. The only people he owes anything
to are himself and his wife Amy. If they decide to leave Homestead and never be
seen in public again, wish them happiness if he's given you joy over the years.
As is more likely the case, if you see him at the track next season as a car
owner or broadcast, wish him well and be thankful he still has his hand in the
sport. And if he does decide to strap in at the Clash or at an Xfinity race,
enjoy those moments for the brief period they're in front of you. He's given
you his best for two decades and lost more while in the public eye than you
will ever endure. One last thing, since they don't owe you anything more than
what's been given, if you were part of that idiotic barrage of hate, go ahead
and apologize to both Dale and Amy. They don't owe you a thing but you
certainly owe them that.