All grown up on the cover of this...
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has spent the seven years since his father's death learning how to live without him. In the cover story for ESPN The Magazine, "All Grown Up," Dale Jr. talks in depth publicly for the first time about the pain of losing his dad, who was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500 in 2001. Writer Marty Smith reveals that since Junior left the family business, Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (and affiliation with Dale Sr.'s third wife Teresa Earnhardt), for NASCAR juggernaut Hendrick Motorsports this season, he’s finally feeling like himself again.
Quoting this...
On the loss of his father:
"When my dad died, I was numb, blind. I just kept moving. Going. Doing. It was horrible. The further away from it I get, the more I understand how I went through it."
"I didn't talk about it because it wasn't something I wanted to preach. 'Oh, I lost my Daddy, woe is me, and I gotta go through life without him.' I didn't want that message."
On his stepmother:
"I ain't got nothing against her. She might have something against me, I don't know."
On himself:
"I am striving to be the total package. A mature, dedicated, motivated racecar driver."
On finding a "bring-home-to-mama girl":
"I'm looking for that mental connection, somebody who sees and understands me like my sister and my mom do. I want somebody who can read me like a book and is okay with half of it. I'm particular, and I want to be particular. It hasn't struck me yet that I should relax my standards."
The article made me cry... Marty Smith proved he is a great writer and as for Junebug, I hope he finds everything he is looking for in a woman. He deserves it.
Posted by: Doll | May 08, 2008 at 07:57 AM
This was one of the best articles I have read on Jr. Very moving!
Posted by: Race Fanatic | May 08, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Very good article! Marty did an excellent job! When is Jr. gonna catch a break!?! He's been through a lot in his life; I hope he gets that win soon!
Posted by: Kelley | May 08, 2008 at 03:18 PM
It's one of the best article written about him that I've ever seen, and he really opened himself up. Great job, Marty. Great pictures, too! Now if I could just find a copy of the magazine to buy it!
Posted by: Gail | May 09, 2008 at 06:07 AM
I agree, it was really touching. And you could tell Marty really understood where he was coming from. I looked for it today and they still have this weeks out. :(
Posted by: Angela | May 09, 2008 at 03:17 PM
I love the article...and Junior is a sweetie...he will find the right woman cause he is not rushing it...
He showed proof of his maturity and class in last weeks interview after Kyle knocked him outof the race...anybody else would have been spitting insults
Posted by: Savannah | May 09, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Great article. It shows that he's far more thoughtful then people give him credit for.
Posted by: Shannon | May 09, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Junior is a mediocre driver who would not be a blip on the Nascar radar screen if it weren't for his father and the tragedy of his death. It is because Sr. fans did not have an end of a career to go through and find another driver to love, they latched on to his son. While he can drive, yes, and win, yes - there are better more talented drivers out there. But its because of the mindless mob of "Junior Nation" that we will continue to have to hear about him every week.
Posted by: Junior can't drive | July 27, 2008 at 03:36 PM