Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals how Rusty Wallace made him stop “casually flipping the bird” during races
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared some stories from his 20’s where he had some bad tendencies on the track.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Rusty Wallace (Via IMAGO)
Xfinity Series prodigy Riley Herbst got under the skin of Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. last week during the Bristol race. In response Junior flipped the bird at the youngster, to show his frustration. In the recent episode of his podcast, while talking about the same the JRM owner explained his past around giving the bird to fellow drivers.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained that when he was in his 20’s he casually gave the bird to anyone on the track. He admitted via Dale Jr. Download podcast he never hesitated to do it, as he didn’t realize the seriousness of his actions at the moment. Junior within a handful of years realized how insulting it was for a driver to get the bird during races.
Here's to all the birds @DaleJr's flipped, both past and present. ?? pic.twitter.com/P1tOQBLGwL
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) September 25, 2024
When I was in my 20s, flipping the bird was a pretty casual thing. I’d flip a f***ing bird, I don’t care. And I would flip off, maybe not Dad, I would flip off his peers. So, I didn’t think it was that serious.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
Dale Jr. one day heard former NASCAR champion Rusty Wallace assert flipping him off the worst thing a driver could do, and he would be coming for him. Junior realized what he has been doing was messed up and since them take measured approach and gave the bird only if he sees it was necessary.
Then I heard Rusty Wallace say one day, flipping me off is the worst thing you can do. You flip me off, I’m coming after you. And I thought, f***, I had no idea people felt this way. And so, then I was like, I’ll be a little more, I’ll be a little more strategic. Thanks to Rusty, this veteran, I am now a smarter, better race car driver.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explains why he flipped the bird at Riley Herbst
During the Bristol race, which was Dale Jr.’s first and only Xfinity race of the season, Riley Herbst held him back for over 20 laps and then only let him pass, which he could have done a long time ago. This cost Junior a lot of time and some potential position gains, making him frustrated about it. He didn’t hesitate to show the youngster how he feels.
I go right around and I’m like, ‘I think he let me go there. I’m not sure, but why did he do it that way?’ And that was what frustrated me. Like, we just ran 20 fu*king laps here. You’re just being stubborn as hell. … I was so mad… and then a couple corners later I was like it’s fine. It’s not a big deal.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.
The action from the HOF shows how much of a compotator he still his and how much he loves racing the youngsters in the second tier of the sport. Fans will be disappointed next season as he won’t be racing in NASCAR and will be looking forward for his return in 2026.
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Justin P Joy
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