“Put Dad to the Path of Greatness”: Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals NASCAR Hall of Famer Behind Dale Sr’s Legacy
Follow Us
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is filled with names of drivers and crew chiefs who took the sport by the scruff of the neck and completely dominated it. Dale Earnhardt was, deservedly, the first inductee to this prestigious club. But one of the most important persons behind his success was yet to receive the same honor.
Earnhardt had been a brilliant driver before Kirk Shelmerdine came onto the scene. However, the Dale Earnhardt that 1created history was a product of Kirk’s hard work as well. After the two became a team, they won 4 Cup Series titles together and 46 wins in the top competition of the sport.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Creating history with Dale Sr
Shelmerdine was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in its latest ceremony. Fittingly, it was Dale Earnhardt Jr who announced his induction with a beautifully written short speech. “Kirk would pair with Dale Earnhardt, who was a really good racer at the time, but Kirk put Dad on the path to greatness,” Junior said.
“So on behalf of Earnhardt fans around the world, it’s now my honor on this 20th day of January 2023, to represent the NASCAR Hall of Fame and induct Kirk Shelmerdine.”
Shelmerdine received a rousing round of applause for his mindblowing list of achievements. He set a number of records during his time with Dale Sr at Richard Childress Racing, such as being the youngest crew chief to win a Cup Series race. Shelmerdine is also the youngest crew chief to win the title.
Shelmerdine’s 16 years at the top deserved this kind of recognition. Some would say it has come late, but that won’t matter to Kirk now.
Going full circle with Dale Earnhardt Jr
Trending
Exclusive: Team Kicked out by NASCAR After a Driver “Snitched” On Them
April 24, 2024 02:22 AM EDT
“You’re Pissing Me Off” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Instantly Shuts Down Denny Hamlin’s Solution to Better Talladega
April 24, 2024 12:05 PM EDT
“Just Push Her”: Denny Hamlin Asks Tony Stewart’s Sensation To Move Hailie Deegan Out of His Way
April 23, 2024 06:34 AM EDT
Kyle Busch Enters Late Model Racing Steering Away From Compatriots Kevin Harvick and Dale Jr for $40,000
April 21, 2024 07:16 AM EDT
Jimmie Johnson “Racing With One Arm Tied Behind His Back,” Claims Dale Jr as He Trashes Chase Elliott’s Sufficient Practice Rant
April 17, 2024 07:02 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
2023 was not the first time Shelmerdine made it to the list for consideration to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was on the long list, but couldn’t make the cut to the final list.
Kirk Shelmerdine's name disappeared from the list of nominees for the @NASCARHall.@DaleJr and @MikeDavis88 got Kirk to offer his perspective, and explain why it doesn't bother him as much as one might think. #DJD pic.twitter.com/DCgyZ4JM5C
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) March 20, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
On Dale Jr’s podcast, his perspective was sought about the omission. But Shelmerdine had zero grudges. Zero. He described his thought process, and how he was just honored to have made that list itself.
He said, “The way I look at it, the list of names—if you look at the record books for crew chief stuff—my name is next to Smokey Yunick and Junior Johnson. All these people were heroes to me, were like Gods to me, bigger than life people.”
For Shelmerdine, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame would be a great achievement – but it was no end all. As a kid who aspired to make it to NASCAR, he had achieved all he had wanted to. Hall of Fame would’ve only been a cherry on top.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Dale Earnhardt Jr Comes Clean on His “What the ** Are You Doing” Daytona Wreck
The cherry on top was something he deserved, and he finally got it. If not in 2019, in 2023 but he got it. Congratulations legend!
Edited by:
Nischal Kandpal