The CEO of North Wilkesboro Speedway, Marcus Smith, had recently given a shout-out and a big thanks to Dale Earnhardt Jr after the iconic track began its road to recovery. So even though there shouldn’t have been any explanation, Earnhardt Jr still gave one in the context of the extent of his involvement with the track.

In the recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download show, NASCAR’s richest driver spoke about how much he had to do with the North Wilkesboro Speedway’s recent announcement.

“I don’t have any monetary involvement, no ownership, I just have a passion and that’s all I own in the whole thing,” he said. “I just want to see this track do something.”

“The owner of the track, Marcus Smith, has been on the show multiple times and teased the possibility of something happening with the track or the property.”

What did Marcus Smith say about Dale Earnhardt Jr?

During the press conference of the announcement, North Wilkesboro Speedway CEO Marcus Smith revealed just how much Dale Jr’s passion and connections helped in making sure the track was fit for racing again.

“A big thanks to Dale Earnhardt Jr who asked me about cleaning up the track back in December 2019, just for the purpose of cleaning it up for iRacing. And I really think that was the catalyst that put things over the tipping point to get us where we are today,” he said during the press conference.

“So big thanks to Dale and all the people he talks with.”

Today, Dale Earnhardt Jr is one of the very few representatives of NASCAR who actually care about the past of the sport. Not that others don’t, but since the sport is so hell-bent on moving forward, it is on the verge of leaving its heritage behind.

Thankfully, though, Dale Jr. is still around.

Also Read: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Catches the NASCAR Community Off Guard as He Reveals His Big Plan for The Late Model Race