Dale Earnhardt Jr. has ambition for daughters after they stole show after NASCAR win
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has revealed his hopes for his two daughters in NASCAR after making his debut as a crew chief for JR Motorsports at Pocono.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has outlined what he hopes his daughters get out of their sports experiences after winning in his debut as a stand-in crew chief for Xfinity winner Connor Zilisch at Pocono. Earnhardt Jr. was on pit road guiding the 18-year-old after his regular crew chief, Mardy Lindley, was suspended for one race due to loose lug nuts on Zilisch's car in Mexico City, which was won by hometown hero Daniel Suarez.
The JR Motorsports co-owner stepped up for the team at Pocono Raceway and had his daughters Isla Rose, born in 2018, and Nicole Lorraine, born in 2020, with him. Earnhardt Jr. hopes his daughter's exposure to NASCAR will give them a sense of belonging, having come from stock car royalty.
"I want them to have that opportunity and understand that this is a place that they could, you know, create opportunities for themselves down the road," Dale Jr. said in his post-race press conference. "I'll let them do what they want to do with their lives and steer themselves where they want to go and support everything that they want to do.
- Dale Earnhardt's widow angers neighbors with $30B plans after family's grave admission
- Chase Elliott makes feelings on Shane van Gisbergen clear after Mexico race
"But I certainly want them to know that NASCAR is an option. It exists, and there are so many possibilities. If they enjoy being around it, they can find ways to, you know, make a living at it."
Earnhardt Jr's oldest daughter, Isla, was seen clutching the checkered flag in Victory Lane, while the youngest, Lorraine, was in the comfort of her dad's arms. "These are memories. Core memories that they make, I believe. Walking down pit road, going to Victory Lane," he added.
Saturday's victory was Zilisch's first oval win of his young NASCAR career. “I’ve been dying for this one for a while now, I’ve been so close on the ovals lately,” Zilisch said. “I finished second at Charlotte, second at Nashville.
“And Dale Jr., not too bad on the box,” he added on Dale Jr.'s role. “Pretty cool to have him up there. Thank you so much to the entire JR Motorsports team. … this one is definitely special. I’ve been chasing an oval win for a while now.”
Zilisch also enjoyed a tough battle with last year's Rookie of the Year, Jesse Love. A late restart allowed Zilisch to start behind Love before taking the chequered flag.
DON'T MISS...
“That’s the most focused I’ve ever been inside a race car, I did not want Connor to beat me because I’ll have to hear about it for a long time,” said Love. “Hats off to him. He ran a good race. Once I was able to get a draft I was able to get back to him.
"But that bums me out, I’m not going to lie, but I’m still trying to be grateful we have fast race cars and are in position to win. Hats off to Connor.”
