Amy Earnhardt pace car driver during Martinsville Speedway intro laps
When Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes his final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville Speedway on October 29, a familiar face will lead him and the rest of the field to the green flag. Earnhardt’s wife, Amy, will serve as the Honorary Pace Car Driver for the First Data 500.
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While driving the pace car will be a first for Amy, she is no stranger to Martinsville, as she was by Dale’s side in Victory Lane when he picked up his only career win at the historic Speedway three years ago.
“I was very excited when the track approached me about driving the pace car,” stated Amy Earnhardt. “Martinsville is one of Dale’s favorite tracks and seeing how happy he and the team were in Victory Lane in 2014 is something I’ll never forget. I appreciate the track letting me be a small part of Dale’s last race at a place that means so much to him.”
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said having Amy drive the pace car is a way to give back to Dale for all he has done to not only elevate the profile of Martinsville Speedway, but NASCAR as a whole.
“The Earnhardt family has meant so much to Martinsville Speedway through the years, Dale in particular, and we wanted for him to be able to share his last Cup race here with the person closest to him,” Campbell said. “Dale has often talked about how much Amy has meant to him and this is one small way in which we can say ‘thank you’ to the both of them; to Dale for what he has meant to the sport and to Amy for what she has meant to Dale.”
The First Data 500 is the first race in the Round of 8 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. If the winning driver is in the Playoffs, he would be the first to clinch a spot in the Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Last fall, Jimmie Johnson won his ninth grandfather clock, on the way to winning his record-tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Tickets for the First Data 500 are on sale and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
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