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Daytona announces fan fest dates

Tickets, which go on sale Saturday, Dec. 20 at 9 a.m., are $15 with autograph session availability limited to only 100 people per driver in advance. To purchase tickets and request access to the special autograph sessions, call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Drivers scheduled to make appearances on Friday, Jan. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. include 50th running of the Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola, Casey Mears, Greg Biffle, Travis Kvapil, David Gilliland, former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner and Jon Wes Townley.

Scheduled to appear on Saturday, Jan. 17 during the noon - 4 p.m. session include three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth, 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup runner-up Carl Edwards, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Colin Braun, Erik Darnell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard and Alex Garcia.

In the 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. session on Saturday, Jan. 17, drivers scheduled to appear include former Daytona 500 winners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip and Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski and three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr.

http://www.racingone.com/article.aspx?artnum=46585

Cats In The Cradle…A Dale Earnhardt Jr. Story
December 20, 2008 by Sal Sigala Jr. · 6 Comments
Filed under: NASCAR News, Opinion · Print This!
Sal Sigala Jr., FanZone Sports

While listening to the song ‘Cats in the cradle” It kind of reminded about the life of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his son Dale Jr. For those of you who have heard the song which I am sure many of you have. Harry sings about a very sad but also a very real life relationship that some of us sons may have had with our dads. While reading the stories and watching some old film clips. All that Jr ever wanted to be was like his dad. But because of the grueling schedule that each and every full time driver has to deal with. There are sacrifices that have to be made. And that sacrifice is usually not getting the chance to watch your own kids grow up.

What a life Jr has had to endure while growing up. I am sure there were many times that he wanted to play ball or even just sit by his side. But as popular as Sr was. He didn’t have that time. You could see it in Jr’s eyes when he was interviewed for the movie Dale. There is an emptiness that could never be fulfilled ever again. There were very few times that Jr could actually share where he and his dad spent that quality time together. And if they did. It seemed that it was either at this race track or at that race track. What a life for any son to have to live. And to think that Sr may not have even been there to watch his son take his first step. But to the younger Dale. That didn’t matter. Because the only thing on his young mind was, “I’m gonna be like you dad. You know I’m gonna be like you”

Here was a man who was not only famous. But was also a man who was feared on and off the track. He always made time for his fans as well as his sponsors. But how many times did the younger Dale have to ask these words and get this kind of response from his own dad? When you comin’ home dad? I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son you know we’ll have good time then. While watching his famous dad on T.V. hoping that someday he would acknowledge him as much as he did all the other people who surrounded him at the track. Who could ever forget Dale Jr looking from afar as his dad was in victory circle celebrating one of his 76 race wins? Wanting so bad to be a bigger part of his life.

But it still didn’t bother the younger Dale. Instead he would walk away with a smile and say,”Im gonna be like him, yeah. You know I’m gonna be like him. Dale Jr has grown up to be like his dad in a lot of ways. He may not be the feared or the overly aggressive driver that his dad was. But one of the things that he did inherit from his dad is the desire and the will to win. A will and desire that comes from the heart. Dale Jr as some of us may know is caught up in a type of prison. He is locked behind the bars of his dads greatness and all of his accomplishments. What a life to live knowing that your dad was one of the best.

The hardest part has to be trying to make a name for yourself without someone telling you. “How come you’re not like your dad”? “Why don’t you drive like him”? After all you’re an Earnhardt. Your grandpa Ralph was a known as a hard and dirty driver. Your dad followed in his footsteps and was also the same type of driver. But what happened to you? Why didn’t you follow in your dads footsteps? This has to be one of the worst places to be in. To hear these words week in and week out. Just like a correctional officer always on your back asking you why did you do this. And why did you do that.

Dale Jr has overcome a lot of adversity to get to where he is today. He has made his own choices. Choices that he will have to live up to whether they work out or not. On one side he has the Earnhardt name. On the other are his dads’ accomplishments. On the other was his dads’ rough style of driving. And on the last one is which is probably the hardest. Not having him around to encourage and to guide him. Not being able to see him in victory lane getting that big ol bear hug that Sr was famous for. These are the 4 prison walls that Jr. will have to endure for the rest of his life. Encouragement is probably the hardest one to have to live with. Dale will never get to hear these words. “Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”

Whatever Dale Jr does on and off the race track will be of his own thinking and decision making. No more going to dad for advice. He can’t look over his shoulder and see that big smile of acceptance. Instead he looks into his own mind and thoughts for relief and comfort. His fans Im sure play a big part in this part of his life. After all he does have the biggest fans base in Nascar today. His fans are loyal as well as loving. But there will always be that void that only a father can fill. A void that a lot of us are feeling today. And also a void that some of us haven’t had to worry about just yet. As we get ready for the second part of our racing season. Take the time to love those around you. Because one day it just might be to late.

A word of encouragement is maybe all that someone might need to hear today. Maybe even a handshake or a hug. It doesn’t cost anything. But it sure goes along way. The only way that this will ever happen in Dale Jrs life. Is when he finally makes it to heaven. And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon. Little boy blue and the man on the moon. When you comin’ home son? I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son. You know we’ll have a good time then. Im Out

http://fanzonesports.net/nascar/2008/12/cats-in-the-cradlea-dale-earnhardt-jr-story/