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AVONDALE, AZ – JANUARY 31: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. addresses the media during NASCAR testing at Phoenix International Raceway on January 31, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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AVONDALE, AZ – JANUARY 31: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. addresses the media during NASCAR testing at Phoenix International Raceway on January 31, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
At the Atlanta Motor Speedway, former NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Burton conducted an experiment. According to Burton, there was a time during the 70s and 80s, when someone hijacked the pace car. When they did so, the perpetrator took it for a bit of a joyride before the police caught them.
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So, Earnhardt Jr and Burton decided to check the Chevy Camaro pace car. However, the car was locked, so they were unable to ‘steal’ it and the experiment was successful.
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Burton said, “There was a time in the sport where in the 70s, someone got in the pace car. Let’s see if they learned their lesson”. Admittedly, he got the era wrong because there was one major incident back in 1986.
This occurred during the Winston 500 at the Talladega Superspeedway. As it happened, a fan invaded the track and somehow managed to hop into the pace car and took it for a joyride.
READ MORE: WATCH: When a Fan Stole a Car and Ran Laps Around Talladega Superspeedway
In a way, NASCAR had it coming, because the car was left unattended, so the fan was able to sneak up and drive it as he stole it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jeff Burton are looking forward to the 2022 race
Now, the drivers-turned-commentators are eagerly waiting for the Cup race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway to begin. Home hero Chase Elliott starts on pole position, ahead of Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric.
Admittedly, this was only because the qualifying session on Saturday was washed out. As a result, positions were set as per NASCAR’s metrics formula.
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 19: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Now, the drivers are hoping to put up a good show, and Elliott will be gunning for victory. If he does win, it will be his third win of the season and he will be the first driver to breach that barrier.
WATCH THIS STORY: Dale Earnhardt Jr Leads the Motion by NASCAR Fans to Take All-Star Race Back to Charlotte Motor Speedway
Of course, the road to that elusive win will not be easy, especially since the other drivers are just as capable of winning.
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