Sure, Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t been a fixture in a late model race car in decades, but the 47-year old NASCAR Hall of Famer knocked the rust off in style on Tuesday night at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
In practice No. 2 for the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Tour Window World 125, Earnhardt turned the fastest lap in the No. 3 SunDrop Chevrolet, and he did so by almost a tenth and a half over current NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Corey Heim.
Following the session, Earnhardt spoke to Racetrack Revival North Wilkesboro’s social team about how he is acclimating to the car.
https://twitter.com/RTRevival/status/1564784450541654019?s=20&t=pmHoHMrbOPpNt_VL1ld3Mg
“We did a mock [qualifying] run, that’s why we were so quick in practice, compared to a lot of guys,” Earnhardt explained. “Just working on a couple of little balance issues. The car was really loose earlier today, now, the car has changed quite a bit. We’ll see if we can change a few things and see how the car reacts to it.”
While he was quick in practice, Earnhardt is still a little nervous, despite having a fun time so far in the No. 3 machine.
“So far, so good. Having a lot of fun. Just trying to settle in,” Earnhardt admitted. “Get a little more comfortable. The anxiety and the nerves are at a max, so, I’m trying to chill out a little bit.”
Here are the full results from the practice session:
- 3-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 19.454 sec.
- 78-Corey Heim, -0.146 sec.
- 87-Mike Looney, -0.154
- 81-Mini Tyrrell, -0.250
- 43-William Sawalich, -0.257
- 5-Carter Langley, -0.326
- 12-Kaden Honeycutt, -0.371
- 16-Chad McCumbee, -0.449
- 8-Carson Kvapil, -0.463
- 2R-Braden Rogers, -0.472
- 22-Bobby McCarty, -0.536
- 24-Mason Diaz, -0.541
- 91-Jonathan Shafer, -0.586
- 28-Connor Mosack, -0.591
- 14-Jared Fryar, -0.594
- 77-Connor Hall, -0.600
- 95-Jacob Heafner, -0.621
- 03-Brenden Queen, -0.624
- 2-Brandon Pierce, -0.636
- 32-Zack Miracle, -0.676
- 1-Andrew Grady, -0.698
- 44-Conner Jones, -0.756
- 4w-Dylon Wilson, -0.797
- 29-Bryan Reedy, -0.809
- 8b-Chase Burrow, -0.870
- 21-Stefan Parsons, -0.890
- 71-Katie Hattinger, -0.927
- 34-Pat Rachels, -1.040
- 10-Janson Marchbanks, -1.150
- 4-Hayden Swank, -1.542
