“It is really odd to me when guys you have been racing with say they are retiring and are not going to be out there on the track with you any more. It definitely makes you think about where you are at in your career and those that you had racing with them. We have had our run-ins too. I remember one day looking up to him and we weren't real happy with one another. Dale has been a guy that I have always respected and admired for a very long time. Hate to see him go but you know what, he has had a heck of a career so he should be very proud of that.”
Perhaps one of the most touching comments was paid by Dale Earnhardt Jr, who watches as another one of his late fathers main rivals calls it a day.
“I am sad that he is going to stop because he is just such a great guy,” said Junior. “He has always been a good friend to me. My favourite story, I am sure you have heard it, but we had just won the 2001 400 at
Daytona and it was the race at Daytona right after my Dad has been killed there.
“I had won and we were standing down in the motor home lot, it was one or two in the morning. We had a circle of us all drinking beer, about 20 of use. I looked around and I knew everybody, it was mostly team members and some friends of mine in town and I looked to my right and standing next to me was Dale Jarrett. I asked him what he was still doing there, why aren't you on your way home. He said, "I wouldn't miss this. That was the coolest thing I have ever seen you do.' That was just, I don't know, it showed me a lot about his character right there.
“At that time in my life, it meant a lot to me for somebody to care and want to experience that with you. Obviously there was a void there for me and it meant a lot to me that he understood that and that was just a great moment for me. He has just been there for not only me, but other drivers too for a while. He is always lending a hand.”
![Dale Jarrett, Brickyard 400 testing. [Pic Credit IMS Media/Dana Garrett]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/240927.jpg)
