In the Richard Childress Racing museum, the car that Dale Earnhardt won in 1998 Daytona 500 with a sitting position as part of the screen.
Shown behind the car: a large photo from the victory lane.
Ty Dillon And Austin Dillon included in the photo. Ty was 5 years old, turning 6 at the end of that month. Austin was 7 years old at the time, and his 8th birthday would be a few months later.
They know they are part of history. Their memories of that day 25 years ago revolved around celebration.
It is understandable. They are kids who would rather play with their friends than watch the race even as the grandchildren of team owner Richard Childress.
Austin Dillon said: “I’m only eight so I’ve played quite a bit in the race. “And when it got to the last minute, I remember being lifted up by my grandmother and mother.
“We ran to the winning lane and enjoyed everything that came with the winning lane. The highlight of the day was the real win lane for me.”
Most racers’ children will play in an area staffed by Motor Racing Outreach, a department that provides childcare during races.
Ty Dillon said: “‘I have these little clips of memories from that moment. “But as time goes on and history and replays and shows have come out about that race, you’ll realize the impact and that makes more sense on the memory you’ve had in that race. 5 or 6 years. -old.”
Ty Dillon on ’98 Daytona 500 Memories
Ty Dillon is on his way to winning the Daytona 500 in 1998. What does he remember and what does that moment mean?
Both brothers looked at the photo and couldn’t help but smile knowing that the day was supposed to be one of the most special days for their family.
Austin, who drove the No. 3 Cup car Earnhardt made a name for at RCR, won the Daytona 500 in 2018. Ty Dillon has had more of a journey career in the Cup and now drives for Spire Motorsports.
Both have a number of starts in the Daytona 500 and know that the race ranks as the biggest of the season as the winners win a piece of NASCAR history automatically. But at their age, they weren’t fully aware of Earnhardt’s difficulties to win that particular race.
“The most important thing at the time was how great it was going to be in the winning lane,” says Austin Dillon. “And I know everyone was happier than usual because back then Dale always went to the winning lane.
“So for him to get to 500 and stay there, that’s the experience on the winning road that I remember from the days of Dale Earnhardt Sr.”
Austin Dillon looks at a photo of himself from ’98
Austin Dillon remembers what it was like to be on the winning lane at the 1998 Daytona 500.
Those memories are enhanced by seeing that photo. It creates a memory of the winning lane, in which the team takes several pictures, usually at least one hat photo of each sponsor.
Ty Dillon said: “The core memories aren’t really there, but obviously having the photo is great. “All I really remember is that day playing with the other kids of the drivers and crew members at the MRO and our grandma ran over with great excitement, saying they had win the race.
“And we didn’t really know what that meant at the time. But getting into the winning lane and seeing everyone so happy and excited – I really feel like it’s my first anniversary. sometimes being on the winning lane and seeing people dancing in their hats. And it was such a special moment. Looking back now, it was an iconic moment in NASCAR’s history.”
Austin Dillon sees that photo as an inspiration for Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App).
“I just think about a special day, obviously going to the winning lane and jumping hats with the legend of our sport, Dale Earnhardt,” said Austin Dillon. “It’s a photograph that I have had to see and look back on throughout my career.
“It’s really exciting every time I go to Daytona and buckle up and try to win the Daytona 500.”
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsport, including the past 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News- Journal. Follow him on Twitter @reedsand sign up FOX Sports NASCAR Newsletter with Bob Pockrass.
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