Recently retired NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. was in Columbus on behalf of his sponsor Nationwide Tuesday. Dale Jr. toured Ohio State University’s football facilities during the day. Later that night, he dropped the ceremonial first puck at Nationwide Center ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ game against the New Jersey Devils.
One of the most popular faces in all of motorsports was on hand to drop the puck before Tuesday's @BlueJacketsNHL game.
Most of you know him as Junior. pic.twitter.com/YX0BUYm70P
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) December 6, 2017
The driver along with a member of the military dropped the puck between Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno and Devils captain Andy Greene.
Appreciate @Nationwide for the trip to Columbus today. Tour of @OhioStAthletics and a @BlueJacketsNHL game. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Gpt9pKB9Uy
— Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 6, 2017
Dale Jr., joined by his Hendrick Motorsports replacement Alex Bowman, also spent time participating in game entertainment segments. The two stopped by the Nationwide Fan Lounge for a visit with Mike Todd and a pair of contestants to play “Name That Toon.”
Who better to help name driving songs than some @NASCAR drivers?#CBJ pic.twitter.com/AsQhjLlg86
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 6, 2017
The two-time Daytona 500 winner also sat down with Fox Sports Ohio to talk with Bill Davige and Brian Giesenschlag.
.@DaleJr is making an impact with @nationwidekids and joined @FOXSportsOH to talk about the relationship. pic.twitter.com/slV8AepRL0
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 6, 2017
Dale Jr. was asked about his recent retirement.
“It’s only been a few weeks. It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Dale Jr. said. “I think once we get into next season and guys are going to the race track, driving cars, and I’m not, that’s really when it’s going to sink in.”
The third generation driver also spoke about his growing relationship with the sport of hockey.
“I didn’t grow up a fan, but I have been going to a lot of games lately,” Dale Jr. said. “One of my good friends, Reid Smith, big fan of Colorado, sent to me a game a couple years ago. I went to a Minnesota Wild game for Budweiser. Obviously we got Carolina, the Checkers in Charlotte. Hockey’s really growing, especially around our area. Reid’s trying to make me a fan.”
He also promoted his recently created Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund, which was announced on November 27. The Earnhardts are supporting Nationwide Kids at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“We just wanted to be a part of helping and raise awareness and money for the hospital,” Dale Jr. said. “So far we’ve donated 888,000 into this fund.”
While at the game, an adorable child was celebrating her tenth anniversary since having her second heart transplant.
Tonight Kennedy is celebrating her 10 year anniversary of her 2nd heart transplant from @nationwidekids with #CBJ thanks to @SergeiBobrovsky pic.twitter.com/jDe6SzJ9BI
— CBJ Foundation (@CBJfoundation) December 6, 2017
Nationwide will continue to sponsor the number 88 car next season with Alex Bowman.
these cars go a lot slower in person pic.twitter.com/KDDpqnNMC6
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 5, 2017
Headline photo: Columbus Blue Jackets (@bluejacketsnhl)
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