2000, this hat backwards, cool guy, walk to the beat of his own tune, was Dale Earnhardt Jr. I never knew back in 2000, that I would be one of his biggest fans. I've seen the bad races, I've seen him carry the weight of his dad's death on his shoulders, I've seen that famous 2001 Pepsi 400 that still brings tears to my eyes when I watch it and hes just my favorite racer.
December 2001, my mom and I were walking through the North East Mall in Hurst, Texas that's when I saw a poster of Dale Jr's face hanging from the ceiling and I made my mom go over there to see what it was all about. Of course Dale Jr was endorsing Drakkar Noir at the time, so for a Christmas present, mom dropped $75 dollars that day so I could have a guaranteed spot to meet Dale Jr. Only problem was I had to wait an excruciating 4 months until I actually got to meet him.
April 3, 2002 (which I'm weird about numbers and that day happened to be 04/03/02) Literally meeting Dale Jr was the only thing I talked about for 4 months. I was so dang excited!! I got ready, put on my one and only Dale Jr shirt I had at the time and we went to pick up my best friend to go with us and headed to the mall. I was smiling from ear to ear and was nervous too.
We arrived at the mall, in front of the JcPenney they had a stage set up and a roped off line you had to line up in and a whole bunch of people. I was so ecstatic, I knew within a few minutes Dale Jr would be on stage doing a quick interview type question and answer for the crowd, the line would move and I'd be on my way to getting to talk to him.
I walk through the ropes slowly just looking at him as he signed autographs for people and realizing within a few minutes I'd be up there. I didn't know what he was going to say, I didn't know what I would say, I just was nervous.
There was a lady standing in front of the stage, I'm not sure if she was security or who she was, that part is all fuzzy, but you couldn't stand next to him and get a picture so I politely asked the lady to take my picture when I got up there on stage. She kindly said yes and I was at the bottom of steps about to walk up and meet my favorite race car driver.
A lady handed me the cologne bottle told me he would sign this and when you get across stage they will give you a bag and the box for the cologne. I walked up on stage and handed my bottle to him, Jr asked "How are you?" and all that could come out was "FFFFFIIIIIINNNNEEE!!!" (stutter voice). I kept turning around, because that lady had not taken my picture yet, Jr kept looking around me like what is she looking at as if he was missing something. I turned back around and I knew my time was almost up so I blurted out "Can I have a hug?" and Jr responded "Sure" I about died. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it and I just remember the crowd going "AWWW" so I'm pretty sure after I got off stage he was giving hugs like crazy. (Sorry Jr). I just remember ducking down to get the camera from the lady and walking off stage, I remember the minute I hit the step tears started rolling down my face. I was the happiest 13 year old kid!
April 4, 2002 - Dale Jr was doing a book signing of his Driver #8 book at a local Barnes and Noble, this meet and greet wasn't a sure deal as the Drakkar Noir meet and greet, but luckily I was able to meet him again. Once we made it through the doors I knew I was safe if they happened to shut the doors for time limit reasons. I remember walking to the table and there was a book jam and Jr asked "Are those your books?" I told him "yes" and he signed my books. Mom once again dropped $100 on books because you had to purchase 1 each from that Barnes and Noble or something, I don't know I just know we walked out of there with 4 copies autographed. My mom of course told him, "This is your year!" He just looked at her and gave her the Earnhardt grin.
April 16, 2010 - I had previously been in the pit area for race weekends at Texas Motor Speedway and Dale Jr never walks through, but who would want to if you're Dale Jr. I know I wouldn't want to walk down pit road, he gets mobbed and I had noticed this with my previous times down there. For some reason, it was my 8th year from the first time I met him and he was walking through pit road. I was so ecstatic. I know he's just a person, but for some reason I just get happy when I get to see him in person. I know from experience you have to walk fast if you want to get an autograph. So I was quickly walking and turning pages in my program and his hand was on the book, but some HUGE football player man knocked into me and about knocked me to the ground and Dale Jr was walking away slowly. I was so mad and by the time I got up the guy had disappeared as did Dale Jr. Though through it all Dale Jr had bumped shoulders with me and ended up having a bruise on my arm for a few days so I didn't complain. :)
April 8, 2011 - This day I actually had a sneeky way of getting to meet him, but it was only because I knew someone who works for a race team that helped me. It was right after qualifying and he was in a hurry anyways, but by the time he had drove the car back to the garage, got out and be there waiting was ridiculous for me to ask for an autograph. I was in a different area where no one was around and I had spun around real quickly and I (stutteringly - I know its not a word but you get the point) said, "Dale will you sign my picture I met you back in 2002!" He just looked at me tired and said "yes" As he was walking away I was like me and my twitter friends we just love you, good luck & thank you!" I know it sounds cheesy but it's all that I could get out fast enough" He just looked at me and gave me that Earnhardt smile.
I don't ever have to get another Jr autograph I just want to work on #88 Have a conversation with Dale Jr and not get tongue tied - it's on my bucket list and each time I see him I'll try to get better. Not saying that I'll get lucky and meet him ever again, but I'll try.
