"They picked up where that void was" - Dale Earnhardt Jr. remembers Terry Labonte and racing greats filling the gap after dad’s passing

Dale Earnhardt Jr. talked about the moment at Watkins Glen when other drivers started looking out for him after his father’s passing. He said NASCAR drivers like Terry Labonte and Ken Schrader were some of the few names that stepped in and filled the gap.

During an episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. was asked about his “Watkins Glen Adventure Story” with Labonte and Schrader. The former NASCAR driver couldn’t remember the exact year but said it was on a Friday night in the early 2000s.

Schrader knocked on Earnhardt Jr.’s bus to ask him to join them on his bus where other “old heads” were having a drink. Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t remember everyone on the bus but recalled Schrader, Labonte, and Sterling Marlin being in the picture.

After around 10 minutes, Labonte told everyone he never spoke to Earnhardt Jr. but urged the now 49-year-old driver to wear safety equipment on track, saying:

“I really think you need to wear one of them devices."

Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t recall whether Labonte was talking about a HANS device or a full-face helmet but he agreed to do so anyway.

“Yes, sir. Whatever you say,” he replied.

Labonte continued talking to him and said:

“I really want you to be around here for a long time, man. Don’t want anything to happen to you like I really think you need to take it serious."

This proved to be a sort of icebreaker between them. Earnhardt Jr. told the podcast that those older drivers filled that void since then, giving him advice week in and week out.

“Dad was gonna be the guy that tell me all the things I should be doing,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “And now, Schrader, Terry Labonte, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, all these guys picked up where that void was at right," he said.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. passed away after crashing at Daytona 500 in 2001. He was running in P3 just behind his son in the race's final lap when he hit the wall after making contact with Schrader and Marlin. He ended his career with seven NASCAR Cup Series championship titles.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was told a story about his father’s character

In an earlier episode of his podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was joined by Travis Carter, a former NASCAR crew chief who was around the sport, at the same time as his father. Carter shared a story about the 7-time champ that showed his generosity “people need to know existed.”

During a pre-season health evaluation day at Daytona, Earnhardt Sr. slid a commemorative knife into Carter's pocket as a present. He recalled the driver’s character by saying:

“He appreciated what he had and what he had worked hard to earn. He didn’t want to flaunt it. He just appreciated being that fortunate and being in that position, I think.”

NASCAR will return to Watkins Glen for the second playoff race of this year's Round of 16 on 15 September.