The 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, unlike in past years, doubles as a countdown clock. And JR Motorsports vice president Kelley Earnhardt isn’t surprised at all.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley’s brother, is set to trade his racing helmet for a microphone after the conclusion of this season, so every playoff race weekend has consisted of a ceremony honoring the second-generation driver. For Dale, the hubbub apparently seems like a bit much, so Kelley has had to tell him that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“He’s such a humble person,” Kelley said, via NASCAR.com. “I even have to tell him sometimes, ‘you are the caliber of a Derek Jeter retiring. You are the caliber of a Tom Brady doing something.’ He just kind of rolls his eyes sometimes and shrugs his shoulders because, on the flip side of that, he’s just an everyday guy.”
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Interestingly, even though the latest “Legacy: Dale Earnhardt Jr.” video discussed what lies ahead for him, it also reiterated that fans love Earnhardt’s genuineness — the underlying theme of the series’ last installment.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew O’Haren/USA TODAY Sports Images
