Happy Birthday, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver adds another candle to his birthday cake today; he turns 43 years old.

As an outsider looking in who has observed Dale Earnhardt Jr. for many years, it is an exciting time for him.

Introduced to the public as a boy – Dale Earnhardt’s boy – Dale Jr. was living in the shadow of his famous father.

Growing into a young man with driving talent, we watched as Dale Jr. raced hard and well and carved a name for himself with two NASCAR Busch Series championships and then with wins in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

His father’s strong arms were never far away. His influence was ever-present.

And then the unthinkable happened and Dale Jr. was left to live life without his father.

There were ups and downs. Successes and failures. High hopes and dashed dreams. A parting of the ways between Dale Jr. and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated was the start of a new chapter in Dale Jr.’s life.

More time elapsed with still more failures on the track than successes.

Finally a turning point occurred.

Solid finishes, consistency, a driver with focus, determination, and optimism.

Personally, Dale Jr. seemed happier than ever before. His smile was genuine, his shoulders not slumped in despair.

And then the 2014 season dawned at Daytona. Dale Jr. won the Great American race for the second time in his career – a feat even his father could never claim.

The win took enormous pressure off of the driver and team under the brand new Chase format as they had secured a spot after the first race of the season.

But Dale Jr. and his No. 88 team continued to work hard.

Two more wins followed, both at Pocono Raceway. I was fortunate to be at both races.

My vantage point in Victory Lane allowed me to see up close and personally the complete and utter joy that flowed from Dale Jr.

In June Dale Jr. shook hands with every crew member, took endless pictures, and conducted countless television and radio interviews. He was then escorted into the media center at Pocono Raceway and sat patiently and unhurriedly answering every question hurled at him.

Dale Jr. answered thoughtfully, spoke eloquently, and was so in the moment.  At the same time he was calm, present, and so very happy.

In his return to Pocono Raceway in August there was a zest and confidence that Dale Jr. exuded. Perhaps it was bravado or simply a guy having fun, but it was different than I’d seen him in the past.

A sweep of Pocono capped Dale Jr.’s summer and showed the other drivers in the series and Dale Jr.’s fans and detractors that he was, indeed, a true competitor and, in fact, the real deal.

Of course, the unfailingly loyal fans of Dale Jr. – Junior Nation – have always known that to be true.

I asked Dale Jr. a question in August 2014 that made him reveal a bit about his personal life. I asked him what his Simple Joys were.

Dale Jr. mentioned Amy first.

Amy Reimann has been Dale Jr.’s companion for several years and seems to truly make him happy and content. On New Year's Eve 2016 they officially wed. 

He also mentioned beer and Redskin football.

For a week following Pocono and my question, any time Dale Jr. was interviewed the Simple Joy question was re-asked. He changed his answer slightly, but it was the response he gave me on the spot that shows how deeply happy – joyful – Dale Jr. is in life.

The 2015 season saw Dale Jr. take home three more wins. But luck hasn't been on the side of the No. 88 team. Winless in both 2016 and currently in 2017, Dale Jr. will have to be satisfied with whatever circumstances ends his 19 years in NASCAR's top series. He has a long list of accomplishments, wins, and Favorite Driver honors to bolster his ego.

Regardless, Dale Jr. is on top of the world. With personal life, career, family fulfilling him, Dale Jr. needn’t win a Cup to be successful.

Now Dale Jr. looks ahead to a new chapter in his ever-evolving life.

Dale Jr. will become a NASCAR broadcaster on NBC.
This is footage of Dale Jr. guest-broadcasting for Fox.

At 43 Dale Jr. seems to have figured out what's important in his life, how to re-invent himself, and continue to be the unparalleled ambassador for the sport in which he's lived his entire life.

Happy Birthday, Dale Jr. 

Simple Joys

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187™Chatter.

Finding and recognizing my Simple Joys again in the last couple of weeks has truly enriched my life. By constantly being on the lookout I find I am more able to live in the moment, experience joy even if it is fleeting, and look forward to every opportunity to find ever more joy.

These personal findings aren’t meant to do anything than to keep my perspective. I’m neither preaching nor bragging. I simply want to share with you the times I found Simple Joys in the last week. It helps me keep balance and perspective in my overly busy, stressful life, and I hope it inspires you to do the same.

And now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Twitter friendship – It’s difficult to say Twitter “followers” and “followees” are friends, but some actually do become ones. I have some awesome friendships that began there – Doc, Johnny, Ted, JJ, and more – and others who became fun acquaintances.

When one of my friends retweeted (RT) my last week’s Simple Joys post, one of her friends RT’d it, too. The assumption was that I suffered from “Fibro”. I quickly corrected the error – I don’t – but was stricken with two thoughts. First, how sad it is that people suffer from all types of conditions “24 hours a day in pain” as I was told. Second, how my Simple Joys piece resonated so strongly with this community.

Having my work – truly a selfish piece – impacting people so strongly is a Simple Joy that is powerful and humbling.

Facebook Birthday Greetings. Over the years replying to Facebook birthday greetings took a small part of my day and was always enjoyable.

It’s still immensely enjoyable to see all of the lovely birthday greetings, but now there are so many I’m hard pressed to keep up with all of them. I am NOT complaining. It means the world to me to see the multiple good wishes, heartfelt hellos, and good will being sent my way.

Having a plethora of friends sending wonderful birthday wishes on Facebook is an overwhelming Simple Joy!

Birthday dinner. Some people spend their birthday dinners going out to dinner and I admit I do enjoy doing just that. This year, however, with my birthday falling on a Saturday, a larger group than normal gathered, and still having young children, I chose a meal at home.

With extended family, the best of summer’s fresh produce, and a gorgeous night weather-wise, I had one of the best birthdays of my life!

Spending my birthday dinner at home surrounded by loved ones was a most pleasing and excellent Simple Joy.

Birthday Race Chat. Once the dinner party was over and the children were tucked into bed, each with a story, I relaxed into the last part of my evening watching the NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Bristol. I watch the race while chatting with my friends on the Drafting the Circuits Facebook page.

I’m not one to sit still and watch a race for four hours from start to finish alone, but while hanging out online, chatting with my friends, the time melts away. It was a thrill to get back to my online life during a race!

Indulging in watching a NASCAR race with my online friends is a consistent Simple Joy.

Russell Stover Candy. My big brother was able to spend my birthday with me; he arrived from out-of-state to join me for dinner. He brought a big hug, a sweet card, and a box of Russell Stover’s Candy.

At dessert I opened the box and everybody delighted in their favorite candy. It’s like a tiny bit of Christmas on a summer’s night.
The candy was scrumptious! Sometimes a little sweetness and choice makes the day perfect!

Having a fresh box of Russell Stover’s Candy to close out my birthday celebration was a sweet Simple Joy.

My Simple Joys revolved around people – and chocolate – this week.

As I get older I realize so much more clearly that a present for a birthday means far less than a relative being at the dinner table.
That a person’s richness is measured by how many lives they touch and who remembers them fondly than by how much is in their wallet is another lesson I’m learning.

Remembering to look for Simple Joys – good health, pain-free day or hour or even minute, surrounding oneself with family and friends – and appreciating them in every form is powerful.

Even in this short time I have gained so much from paying attention to my Simple Joys. I’ll continue to write mine weekly. My hope is that in some way you find a way to spot your Simple Joys throughout the week.

Wishing you a week filled with Simple Joys!