Awesome, Dale Jr. Friday

By now, most of you know what a huge NASCAR fan I am. But did you know that teammates Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon are two of my all-time favorite drivers! 

A Hendrick Motorsports #88 Diet Mtn Dew 1:24 Scale Stock Car
Limited Edition Adult Collectable!

Recently NASCAR Race Mom was honored to have two unbelievable NASCAR opportunities. The first one involved a five-minute phone call with the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and Chase contender, Jeff Gordon. (see post here)

The second was an opportunity to participate in a Google+ hangout with nine-time, NASCAR Sprint Cup Most Popular Driver and NASCAR Chase contender Dale Earnhardt Jr. (see post here)

It has been a pretty good 2012 for this NASCAR fan. However, it did not prepare me for today. 

The U.S. Mail service brought me an awesome new green Dale Jr. hoodie. Now, I was expecting this attire. However, the mailperson also brought me a package from an unexpected source. The big box contained a Dale Jr. backpack; spy sunglasses; a Dark Knight Rises #88 Diet Mtn. Dew cap; and my favorite, a Hendrick Motorsports #88 Diet Mtn Dew 1:24 Scale Stock Car, Limited Edition Adult Collectable! 

Now while I was counting my blessings, in the back of my mind, NASCAR Race Mom lamented the fact that I still did not have that coveted Dale Jr. autograph. Then in a "real-life is stranger than fiction moment," my husband Paul walked in with a huge box the UPS man left. 

Doesn't NASCAR Race Mom look happy!

Believe it or not, the box housed a beautifully framed AUTOGRAPHED photo of Dale Jr.! Not sure what NASCAR Race Mom did to deserve all this special attention from Dale Jr. However to say I am appreciative would be a huge understatement. 

NASCAR Race Mom is honored to be a member of the Dew Crew!

On the Dew Crew with Dale Jr.

As a Mountain Dew Insider, and in the top ten of the “Dew Crew,” NASCAR Race Mom was invited to participate in an exclusive virtual press conference (via Google+ Hangout) with NASCAR Chase Driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 

Dew Crew Google+ Hangout with NASCAR Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 If you are like me, you probably do not know much about the free Google+ Hangout Feature. However, it is much like Skype in a conference call format. Google+ Hangout is very intuitive and user friendly. 

My five fellow invited “influencers” and myself were allowed to ask two or three questions. I was amazed at how congenial Dale Jr. was and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Mr. Earnhardt Jr. made me feel very welcomed and valued! 

With the assist of my readers, NASCAR Race Mom picked two questions to ask the nine-time, NASCAR Sprint Cup Most Popular Driver: 

Dale Jr. is very popular with the NASCAR Fans (AP Photo | GLENN SMITH)

Question One: 

NASCAR Race Mom: Do you feel that your popularity with the fans carries its own set of responsibilities? 

Dale Jr.: Yeah absolutely. I guess I’m always cognizant of the decisions I make, what I say, how I react because I know that it has repercussions whether good or bad, and I have to represent not only myself but the sponsors that we have, the guys that work on my car, everything that you do is a reflection of everything around you and I don’t want to upset my sponsors, I don’t want to embarrass the guys that work on my team and are trying to help me, I don’t want to upset my mother. You think about all those things when you’re out there working and doing what you’re trying to do, and the fans are willing to support you and they’ll go through thick and thin to stand by your side and they’ll argue with their coworkers and argue with their other family members about your abilities and your talent and all that stuff, and so you want to do things that make them proud and you don’t want to do anything that goes against what they believe, and sort of, you don’t want to insult their intelligence or do anything that’s going to upset them in any way. So yeah I’m really cognizant of that and I think it’s important that you are aware of what you’re doing, and know that everything you say and do has repercussions and you have to be smart about that.

For Question Two, click here to go to the Kids of NASCAR blog. 

A complete video of the event should be available soon.

What would you like to ask Dale Jr.?

There is a lot of controversy involving NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. at this time.

Earnhardt was not given medical clearance to participate in this past Saturday's Sprint Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway or this week's race at Kansas after suffering multiple concussions over the past six weeks. His streak of 461 straight races came to an end.

Earnhardt first suffered a concussion in test at Kansas Speedway (August 29) in which the impact registered 40 G-forces. He then suffered symptoms of another headache after an October 7 crash (thanks Smoke) on the last lap at Talladega Superspeedway.

Earnhardt visited Dr. Petty following the Talladega crash. After several tests, Dr. Petty opted to sit NASCAR's most popular driver for at least two races.

It does not matter; Dale Jr. is still one of my favorite all-time drivers! His hiatus is a blow to the chase. As most of my readers know, I have been working on the “Dew Crew.”

 NASCAR Race Mom has just learned that she has been honored to have been invited to participate in an exclusive digital press conference with the king of the Dew Crew himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

NRM needs to come up with three questions to contribute to the press conference. Leave a comment on this post and tell me what would you like to ask Dale Jr.?

Win a $25 Gift Card From Mountain Dew

Congratulations to our winner - Chrissy Nestor 

Thanks to all the participants - this contest is now closed. 

I am not a huge soda fan. However, when I crave a fresh bubbly flavor, I have to consume a Mountain Dew.

What do I like about Mountain Dew?

Well there is nothing like the taste of an ice cold Dew on a warm summer day at the raceway. That cool lemon-lime concoction feels very satisfying as it slides down my parched throat.

Additionally, when I want to drink something alcoholic, Mountain Dew makes a subtle mix. Vodka Dew is my favorite.

How would you like to win a $25.00 Gift Card?  This will be a very quick and easy contest.

Giveaway Guidelines:

The giveaway ends Friday, 9/21, at 5pm PST.

Please make sure that your submission is entered before 9/21/2012 at 5:00 p.m. PST to be eligible for the opportunity to win the gift card.

There will be one (1) winner:

• the prize - a $25.00 Gift Card

Important: You must publicly follow the NASCAR Race Mom blog (with Google Friend Connect on right side bar) before entering this contest.

One - Time Entry: – Leave a comment below saying what you like about Mountain Dew. Also leave your Google Friend name and an email address so that you can be contacted if you are the winner.  (You can also leave your facebook url or twitter id if you would like to be notified that way)

Yup it is that easy. That one comment will put you in the running for a $25.00 Gift Card.


Bonus Entry: – If you would like a bonus entry, just go to my Kids Of NASCAR blog and follow it publicly.  Then return to this post and leave a comment below saying that you followed and what your Google Friend name is.

This contest will only be active for a few days
so your chances of winning will be very good.

 

Rules:

*** Important - ***Off topic – generic comments (such as “hope I win”) will be disqualified from the competition.

Additionally:

1. Make sure there is a way for NRM to contact you - if your email address is not on your profile or you are not a blogger, you may leave it in your comment. NRM hates to disqualify a potential winner because there is not a way to contact that winner – I will need your email address to contact you, should you be the winner.


2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.


3. The winner will be announced on this post and be notified by email; if the winner does not respond WITHIN 7 DAYS, another winner might be chosen.


4. NASCAR Race Mom not responsible for missing or incorrect contact information.

Enjoy yourselves with this contest, and please share with your friends, family, co-workers.

*** Disclosure: MOUNTAIN DEW® and NASCAR Race Mom, support ethical blogging and strict adherence to the FTC guidelines pertaining to free samples and gifts. As a participant in a MOUNTAIN DEW® campaign, NASCAR Race Mom could be compensated by MOUNTAIN DEW® with product. However, NRM would have been pleased to share this news with my readers without said compensation. ***