A Personal Thank You to Dale Jr.

My cousin Michael may be Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s biggest fan.

His bedroom is decked out with No. 88 posters, calendars, diecast and even bath towels.

He drinks AMP before every Sprint Cup broadcast.

And every time Talladega rolls around, Michael hopes with all his heart that he'll be able to see Dale Jr. and get his autograph.

The past three Dega races that hasn't happened. We've waited and waited by the No. 88 transporter in the hot sun. We've interrogated Lance McGrew in the garage area. We even tried to sneak back stage during driver introductions.

But today was different.

Today, Michael finally got his wish.

Thanks to a NASCAR official with a little compassion, Mike Davis (Junior's PR rep) who let us take up Junior's time before qualifying, and Dale
himself, Michael got a few seconds of time with "his driver".

And Michael couldn't be happier. He has been looking at the car Junior autographed for him all day. And those of us who love Michael have been smiling all day.

So thank you Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

I'm sure signing autographs isn't a big deal to you - but to a fan like Michael, it's simply the world.