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Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of the newest members of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, has seen many interesting things during his illustrious career. Enough to fill a book – he even wrote two. So it should go without saying that he probably doesn’t remember every single event or chance encounter. Like the time he first met Martin Truex Jr.’s younger brother, Ryan.
Before he told it Jeff Gluck from The Athletic Speaking of that first meeting nearly 19 years ago, Ryan Truex, who currently competes part-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series, spoke of one person he would be impressed to meet.
“It would have to be someone who’s really low key, like Keanu Reeves,” Truex said. “Someone who doesn’t want to be famous. I would just get along better with them than someone who has an entourage and is hard to talk to. It was really cool that I got to meet someone like that.’”
This reminded Truex of the first time he met Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2004, the year Junior won his first Daytona 500.
Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“I met him in Martin’s RV,” Truex recalled. “Dale walked in, didn’t say a word to me and just looked at my shoulder. I was 12. He didn’t say anything and just laughed and walked over to go to the bathroom or something. I was like, ‘That’s how I just met Dale Jr., NASCAR’s most popular driver.’ And in 2004 he was on top of the world, right? I guess he just saw me as Martin’s little punk brother and was just kidding me.”
Apparently Truex Dale told this story a few months ago. Dale couldn’t believe it.
“But I told Dale this story a few months ago, and he’s like, ‘You’re lying. That didn’t happen,’” Truex continued. “I’m like, ‘Dale, I remember it clearly because that’s the first time I met you. That’s how it went.’ So I guess this is a star-gazing moment — literally star-struck.”
Now Dale Jr. is a star who can count NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers among his many accolades. A well deserved honor as he not only joins his father Dale Earnhardt Sr. on the list but also his grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt. Three Earnhardts on the list is quite an achievement for one of NASCAR’s biggest families.
Dale Jr.’s racing skills alone did not bring him to this moment, as he has also proven his knack for spotting talent and giving a range of drivers the chance to succeed at the highest levels of NASCAR. That list includes Ryan’s older brother Martin, as well as fellow Cup drivers Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Noah Gragson and William Byron to name a few.
All those years ago, Ryan Truex really saw Dale for what he was: the ultimate NASCAR personality. I think Dale Jr is a bit like Keanu Reeves too: They can both rock a beard. Does Dale know kung fu?