Dale Jarrett, legendary second-generation driver in NASCAR’s flagship Sprint Cup Series, makes his last start in a Cup points race today.

I like Dale, his dad, and his whole family. They are all gentlemen in a rough-and-tumble world. He came up the old school way, wrenching and driving his own late model stocks on southeastern bullrings. Later, he moved up to the Busch series, waiting for his big break to come. As he put it, “I worked 12 years to become an overnight success.”

And when he got the call to the Cup circuit, he raced for legendary teams, the Wood Brothers, Joe Gibbs Racing, Robert Yates Racing. He’s a 3 time Daytona 500 winner, and has a Winston Cup championship on his resume as well. His last two years have been with Michael Waltrip Racing, where he’s helped the team get off to a good start this year, after less than spectacular results last year.

So, the #44 UPS Toyota makes its final laps with Dale at the wheel today.

Thanks for the memories, Dale. Best wishes in the broadcast booth. Thanks most of all, not so much for your accomplishments, but for the way you accomplished them.

-k-
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