Subway Fresh Fit 500

Dale Jr had a very good finish after a rocky start and somewhat of a rough race. He started 35th and after working his way up, pitted, only to be caught speeding on pit road. After working his way back up into the top 15, Dale radioed that he felt like he had a loose wheel, so Steve called for him to come in right away so they could change tires and fill him up with fuel. Dale then was a lap down and eventually got the Lucky Dog, then got back on the lead lap and finished 10th.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick in Nationwide "Go Long" TV Commercial

Interview with Dale Earnhardt, Jr at the Team Chevy Racing Display in Da...

PIR city names street in Earnhardt's honor

By Track Release

February 23, 2011

The city of Avondale, Ariz., will honor one of NASCAR's greatest families by naming a street in the new Avondale City Center Dale Earnhardt Drive. Both NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have won Cup Series events on PIR's 1-mile oval in Avondale.

On Sunday, Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers and Phoenix International Raceway president Bryan R. Sperber will present a replica of the street sign to Earnhardt in honor of his family's racing achievements and contributions to the sport of NASCAR.

"This is a special honor for my family, and we want to thank the city of Avondale, Mayor Rogers, and the entire Avondale community for recognizing my dad this way," Earnhardt said. "We've enjoyed racing at Phoenix International Raceway for years. It's one of the great tracks on the NASCAR circuit. The racing is always very good, and the fans are extremely passionate. The naming of Dale Earnhardt Drive is every bit a tribute to the passionate NASCAR fans in Arizona, and I hope they are equally as honored with this as we are."

Sperber said the honor is especially exciting because the honor is the first of its kind in a Phoenix metropolitan area that exceeds four million people.

"This is a first for the Valley of the Sun -- no city in the Phoenix area has ever named one of its streets after a NASCAR driver," Sperber said. "We appreciate the city of Avondale's leadership in recognition of NASCAR, race fans and one of the sport's truly remarkable families in bestowing this honor on the Earnhardts."

The north entrance to the new Avondale City Center, which is under construction along Avondale Boulevard -- a main thoroughfare leading to Phoenix International Raceway -- will bear the name Dale Earnhardt Drive.

"The city of Avondale is proud to be home to Phoenix International Raceway, which hosts two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races every year," Rogers said. "Dale Earnhardt's legacy was very much felt in Avondale as it was throughout the country. We've also had the pleasure of watching Dale Jr. carry that legacy forward at PIR. Avondale wishes to pay tribute to the Earnhardt family achievements, as well as recognize the huge economic significance of NASCAR and PIR to the metro-Phoenix region."

Avondale spent $6 million on infrastructure improvements to build Phase 1 of City Center. In November, American Sports Centers Avondale, an 83,000-square-foot indoor-sports facility, opened at the Randall McDaniel Sports Complex. A 24,500-square-foot retail component to feature shops and restaurants will be completed by fall.

Daytona 500

Dale had a strong run and it looked as though he might have gotten the win, however he got knocked off the track due to Robby Gordon trying to get back on it, and had no where to go, but to the wall. Dale finished 24th and afterwards congratulated the Wood Bros. and Trevor Bayne on winning the Daytona 500.

What a great Daytona 500, after Dale was out of the race, I cheered for Bayne. He pushed all the top drivers around all week and never thought he had a chance and in the end proved himself wrong. Congrats Trevor!!

Gatorade Duels

Dale Jr finished 13th in the Gatorade Duel. Not bad if you ask me. That's all I have for now, talk to ya soon!

Junior to the rear....

During the first practice today, Dale Jr got accidentally (and it was because Martin came over and apologized for it, he had nowhere to go) rear ended by Martin Truex Jr, and is going to a backup car. This means that not only will he start in the rear for the 500, but will also start in the rear for tomorrow nights Gatorade Duel.

Dale Jr wins the Daytona 500 pole - February 13, 2011

He did it!! Dale Jr won the pole for the Daytona 500!! WTG Junebug! Below is a link to the video on NASCAR.com

Dale Earnhardt Jr wins the Daytona 500 pole - February 13, 2011 - NASCAR.COM Video

From the Pole to the Garage and More

Dale went from the pole to the garage and then out of the race tonight. I had to work, but got to hear the first part of the race on the radio. Dale finished 19th tonight. Here is a break down of the coming week and what will be on what channel and when:


Qualifying- 1 p.m. ET SUN on FOX

Practice- 10:30 a.m. ET WED on SPEED

Practice- 1:30 p.m. ET WED on SPEED

Duel (1 & 2)- 2 p.m. ET THU on SPEED

Practice- 11 a.m. ET FRI on SPEED

Practice- 12:30 p.m. ET FRI on SPEED

Practice- 10:30 a.m. ET SAT on SPEED

Daytona 500 1 p.m. ET SUN on FOX

As you gear up for this Sunday's big race to kick off the 2011 season, I ask that you take a moment and say a prayer or have moment of silence in memory of Junior's daddy.  I lost my father this past June, and can only imagine what Kerry, Kelley, Dale Jr and Taylor are feeling right now.