NASCAR just started posting driver profiles for the Nationwide drivers. This is the first for Cale Gale. New ones will be added weekly.

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Photo Credit: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images for NASCAR

During the pre-race to the Sprint All-Star Race, Dale finally did it.  Dale Jarrett that is.  He drove the UPS truck sending the crowd wild.  It even looked like the big guy even shed a few tears.  Dale, who hasn’t raced since Bristol, declared the All-Star as his final with him retiring from the car and moving on to the broadcast booth.  I’ve really enjoyed watching Dale over the years.  Sadly, he’s one of the few remaining good old drivers and, I’m going to miss him. 

Dale has the perfect combination of class and skill.  Something that is often missing from the young guns today.  He’s the son of two time NASCAR Grand National Series Champion Ned Jarrett, so genetics didn’t hurt him either.  Dale entered then Winston Cup racing back in 1984 when he was just 27 years old although he didn’t race a full schedule until 1986.  Over the years, he’s driven for some of the greats.  The Wood Brothers, Cale Yarborough and he was the first driver recruited to drive for the brand new team formed by Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs back in 1992.  In recent years, he drove for Robert Yates Racing and most recently, Michael Waltrip Racing.

Dale’s a three time winner of the Great American Race, the Daytona 500.  He won his first back in 1994 and went on to win in 1996 and 2000 as well.  In 1999, he won the Winston Cup Championship.  All in all, he’s had 668 starts with 32 wins, 163 Top 5’s and 260 Top 10’s.  That puts well over half of his starts as tenth or better finishes.  Boys and girls, I don’t care how you count it up, that’s pretty damn good.

One of my favorite moments in NASCAR was when Ned Jarrett was calling the 93 Daytona 500 and the excitement and pride in his voice as his son went on to win the race.  During those final laps, Ned stopped being a sportscaster and was a Dad, coaching his son onward to the checkered.  Take a few minutes and check this video out of it.  I watched it live in 93 and I’ve seen it probably a hundred times since but still enjoy watching it every time.

Dale Jarrett’s 93 Daytona 500 Win

I’ll miss Dale in the car but I can’t wait to see him in the booth.

Thanks Dale!