CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP
ROUND 7 OF 10
GOODY’S FAST RELIEF 500
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
OCTOBER 30, 2016
DALE EARNHARDT, JR., DRIVER OF THE NO. 88 CHEVROLET SS, met with member of the media as a spokesperson for Goody’s and discussed an upcoming promotion, but also discussed racing next year and many other topics. Partial Transcript:
TALK ABOUT YOUR ENDEAVORS OUTSIDE THE RACE CAR. HOW WAS IT WATCHING RACING FROM HOME?
“Tweeting is always fun. Following on Twitter is fun because all these folks in here are obviously plugged in and tweeting from the event. There are conversations that are going on outside of the broadcast on social media that are fun to be a part of. I’m always a little bit of a smart aleck so I kind of pick and play and enjoy poking fun at what is going on. I much more enjoy being at the races, watching live and being in the booth is a real thrill. Seeing the MRN booth was equally as impressive because those guys have a little bit tougher job sort of painting out what is happening to the public. It takes a real unique individual to do radio. I don’t really like sitting at home watching them as much to be honest with you.”
IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH SPONSORS HAVE YOU STARTED COMMITTING TO THINGS FOR NEXT YEAR?
“My intentions are to race and that is the plan that we have going forward so we are booking things as normal per usual. We are doing all our photoshoots and everything with anticipation of our sponsors marketing me as the driver of the No. 88 car. I think that is perfectly on track and a reasonable goal to be in the car and be competing in Daytona. We can’t sort of sit and wait. We’ve got to make a decision. Those types of things have to be decided quite early. So, we are moving forward with the plan to be in the car and I don’t see anything that says that is not going to happen. Things are good.”
HAS IT BEEN FUN TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THIS TIME AND STILL BE AN AMBASSADOR OF NASCAR EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE NOT RACING?
“Absolutely, it has been a great time. I wasn’t really sure exactly how that was going to feel being around and coming to the track and stuff. I was very apprehensive and real nervous. I feel like and I talked to Rick (Hendrick) and I tell him all the time I feel like being in the car is what I’m supposed to do and not being in the car brings on a sense of guilt that I’m not doing my responsibilities. So, maybe I’m actively seeking out these opportunities to be visible and be relevant and work with my partners and handle all the responsibilities that we have and have planned before all this happened. I have been open and happy and excited to start booking all these photoshoots. If we want to go somewhere and do something that we have never done before, hockey game, the high school football game, stuff like that, that has been a real good time. Obviously, I miss being in the car, want to be in the car, rather be racing, but until that happens, until I can get back in the car I’ve got to do things to keep myself busy. Sitting at home is not a lot of fun. Those first several weeks trying to get better sitting at home not really wanting to go anywhere were not fun at all. It’s awesome to be able to drive up here to do this press conference and talk about one of our promotions with Goody’s to be able to have a chance to go into the booth, things like that are really good for me. It’s not only good therapy, but I need to be doing something. I love being around the sport and I want to feel like I’m an asset to something. It’s very helpful.”