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Dale Earnhardt Jr. gives emotional reaction after death Bobby Allison

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Brian Jones | Last updated Nov 10, 2024 10:27 PM ET

Dale Earnhardt Jr. got emotional when talking about the death of racing legend Bobby Allison. While speaking to reporters after the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race on Saturday night. Earnhardt was asked about Allison and his memories of him.

“I had heard that Bobby was dealing with some challenges in the past several weeks, and he’s a champion and left his mark on this sport, and we should celebrate him and remember the incredible moments that he might have — whether it was a race you watched or an opportunity to actually get to be with him and talk with him,” Earnhardt said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. remembers with fondness his interactions with the Allisons and the impact Bobby Allison had on his father. Allison, who is fourth on the all-time Cup wins list, died Saturday at age 86. pic.twitter.com/ySKr9M75KZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 10, 2024

“I was kind of indirectly linked to Bobby working with the Allison brothers when they were building legends cars. That was my first job. I got a speeding ticket, and Dad told me to go get a job. I got to know Donnie and all of the guys, and then they made me like the honorary member of the Alabama gang at one point, which was really nice because it was a really tight group there.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks about Bobby Allison’s relationship with Dale Earnhardt

Earnhardt also talked about the relationship his father, Dale Earnhardt, had with Allison. “I remember when he was injured and how deeply that affected my dad,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “They were very close. I think that Bobby and Dad had a relationship there when Dad was young in ’79, ’80, ’81, through that period. Bobby was very helpful. Dad would say that Bobby and Donnie were the ones that would actually talk to him and answer his questions and stuff.

“They were pretty close, and I remember being young when all that was going on and how thankful we were that he was able to survive that.”

Allison died at the age of 86 on Friday. In his career, Allison competed in 718 Cup Series with 85 victories and 447 top-10 finishes. He won the Daytona 500 three times and the Cup Series title in 1983. Allison is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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