…i know you’ve had to be asking yourself the question…where in the world did I go. I haven’t written on my IP blog in forever. I’m really sorry about that but I honestly just couldn’t keep up with everything that’s been going on. They have me blogging on dalejr.com so I lost sight of my other blogs. All is well at JR Nation…home of JR Motorsports. We are having a great year on the track both in the Cup series and the Nationwide series. I’m very proud of Dale and his whole 88 crew. They have been running great and that’s exactly what we were looking for. Brad is doing an excellent job this year for the Navy #88 car. It’s awesome having Tony Sr here and running that program. All of you know how much we love having family work with us. Race weeks was a great success for us. I think any of you that might have stopped in enjoyed yourself. We had plenty of activities for you to enjoy while you visited our facility. We finally got one quadrant of the bricks layed out front of the retail store and it’s so neat looking. If you haven’t heard about the brickpaver program…check it out on dalejr.com to find out more. We are raising money for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) in Iredell County and you can have your name engraved and forever set here at JRM in the courtyard out front. I bought one for Karsyn and Kennedy and it says “Go Jun Jun Go”…they call him Uncle Jun-Jun. It’s so cute. The girls are good. Karsyn is happy summer is here and no more school. Kennedy just loves doing what her sister does. I’ll try to be better at checking in and chatting….everybody take care!
Well, the new season is almost here. I know you are probably yearning just as bad as I am for the actual racing to start each weekend. I know why I am excited…i’m ready to see Dale on the track in the new car, new number, new deal. It is going to be exciting for sure. We’ve been busy this “off” season, there really is no off season. The holidays were nice. We spent time with Dale and other family too. The girls got what they wanted off their Santa list. Kennedy wanted a “big tv” (because her sister has a tv in her room) and toys. So that was pretty easy. She got a little dollhouse that she loves to play. Karsyn wanted a golf cart or a miniature horse. She did not get any horses, but we already had a golf cart that Santa fixed up and left for her. It has shiny new wheels, new paint colors (white/black and hot pink) and a radio. A few kids in the neighborhood have golf carts so now they are all hot stuff. She and about five other girls in the neighborhood pile on them and ride around blaring the music. She must have wanted a razor telephone but Santa didn’t know that…she was disappointed it wasn’t left for her, but mom thinks she’s too young anyway. Karsyn has been competiting in cheerleading for the last 6 months and they recently won their first competition in South Carolina. She was excited to get her own medal for that. We have three more for the year, and then we are done. I like going and watching but it is some extra work to managing the girls schedules along with my own. I’ll be back to write again soon. I have made a committment to be more diligent about my visits and blogs. Let’s see if it happens! Hope you have a great weekend.
Kelley
I’m sure many of you would like to know my opinion on not having the Number 8 next year. I am really disappointed that we couldn’t come to a reasonable agreement with DEI, but on the other hand, I’m excited about Dale being able to start fresh with a new team, new sponsor and new car number. The one thing I don’t like is the names that Teresa is being called and the bashing she is receiving. I know you are upset, believe me, I am upset, but the bashing is getting a little aggressive. I understand the aggravation and it seems that the JR Nation world is turning upside down in terms of new this and new that…but it will all be good in the end. We wouldn’t have it any other way than as good as we can make it! So, calm down, take a deep breath and focus your energy and efforts to something productive. Hope you all have a good rest of the week and a good weekend.
…but I’m still plugging along. THe past two months have been super busy both personally and professionally. We are working hard to finalize our plans for 2008 on the car number, sponsors, etc. It should be a month or so and we can finally announce what we are doing for 2008. Our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports has been great to date. We have met alot of good people with a great work ethic. We continue to support Dale Earnhardt Inc as they put together their future with the merger of Ginn Racing.
We are excited about our partnership for JR Motorsports to run two full time Busch series teams next year. Our employees and partners have been very supportive of these efforts. It involves alot of hard work to get it all together and we are ready for the challenge.
I have not been able to log on to Infield Parking as often as I would like. I’m sorry about that. I still think about all you fans and what you mean to me, Dale Jr and JR Motorsports. The support this year has been overwhelming and very much appreciated.
Karsyn and Kennedy are doing well. They continue to grow and amaze me each day. Karsyn has been coming to work with me some while she’s out of school. Thankfully, they start back soon. She has started with a competition cheerleading team and she really likes it. It’s cute to watch Kennedy at home trying to copy her while she shows me her cheers. Kennedy is talking alot and starting to resist going to bed. I thought I had it easy because she always just lays right down and we shut the door and she goes to sleep. Now she hollars for me more and finally gives up. She woke me up today at 5am, so I am dragging a bit. I am heading to a Pampered Chef party tonight. They have very good gadgets for the kitchen.
Hope you have a good Friday tomororw and a great weekend. I’m going to enjoy mine with my girls.
Kelley
Today is a monumental day for Dale and myself along with all of our employees at JR Motorsports. We are so relieved to have this decision behind us and announce that in 2008, Dale will drive for Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports. Rick is an outstanding person and has been a friend to us for a long time. I haven’t seen Dale smile so much in a while. I was just reviewing pictures on the internet of the press conference and I can see the pure joy on his face during the whole thing. There is still much to work out relating to our sponsors and car number, but as dale said “it will be cool”. I know with his hand in the design, it definitely will. We sincerely appreciate all your support as we continue to work out what 2008 will look like, the total picture. I know there are people on the fence of whether to support dale or not, but remember the reasons you like Dale and stay true to those reasons. If you like his for his person, then you will continue to like him because that’s not going to change. If you liked him because he drove for DEI, then continue to support DEI, it’s OK….we want you to support Dale for his authenticity and the fact he’s real. What you see is what you get. If you are oK with that, we are ok with that. Of course, there are those that will choose their own direction and have negative things to say and that’s OK too…its America and we are all entitled to our opinion. Just be true to yourself. The sport needs all of the fans whether they are Jimmy Johnson fans, Kurt Busch fans or Tony Stewart fans…it takes us all. Differences and opinions are what makes the world turn.
For those of you that continue to support Dale Jr, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m sure that he will continue to give you what you are looking for in his honesty and integrity and definitely something to cheer for on the race track. I’m looking forward to a fun ride for many years to come.
I’ll write more later….it’s overwhelming right now to put it all down!
Kelley
I bet you have been wondering why i haven’t blogged in a while. Well, as you can read in the papers and everywhere else, I’ve been slightly busy. Both business and personal life have been quite hectic. Of course at JR Motorsports, we are still working on our planning for 2008 and figuring out the magic question “where will dale drive in 2008″….i can’t tell you that but I can tell you we are working very diligently on our plans. Otherwise, we are busy with alot of other project including continuing to improve your experience and fun at Infield Parking.
On the homefront, the girls and i have attended quite a few races starting back at Talladega, then Darlington, then Richmond, then Charlotte. Karsyn just finished up school and she’s made it to the 2nd grade (i didn’t have any doubts). Kennedy is growing fast and starting to repeat all that we say. She recognizes the JR Motorsports flame logo and says “june june”….She calls Dale that. It’s really cute.
I’m feeling better healthwise and have actually gotten most of my energy level back, I think. I feel alot better and I’m looking forward to the day I’m pain free from just the soreness of my incision and all.
I hope all of you are looking forward to a nice summer. I’ll be back in touch soon!
Kelley
Hello to all…I haven’t gotten a little lazy at keeping up with you all and letting you know what’s happening in my world. I think partly, because my energy levels are nowhere near where they were before my surgery. I spent the weekend with my two girls for the first time without anyone hanging around to “help”. Boy, that will wear you out. It was a beautiful weekend and both of the girls love to be outside. The wanted to try their hand swimming in the pool, but it was a little too cold. It hasn’t been hot enough to warm the water up. Kennedy got brave and batted around a little while in the one foot wading area, but Karsyn took a ride down the driveway to Uncle Jr’s pool, which is heated, and hung out with a few of his friends on Sunday. Yesterday, we had some family over and grilled out by the pool and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I am looking forward to the weather getting warmer and staying that way. These dips back into freezing every other week are running my power bill up! I’m running the heat at night and the air during the day. It’s quite crazy.
I’m debating on whether to head down to Talladega. We would drive down on Friday after Karsyn gets out of school and have to leave during the race on Sunday to get her home in time for bed for school the next day. After all that, it makes it seem not worth it’s while. Hard decision!
I’m back at work part time, just easing my way back to my normal hustle and bustle. I’m definitely not ready for full time the way I knew it prior to my surgery. Because you don’t remember the whole sugery ordeal, it’s hard to imagine what your body has went through. It’s like I remember going to sleep prior to the surgery and waking up and it’s done, not thinking that maybe a few minutes had passed. The whole thing is really a blur…until a few days in the hospital.
I want to thank all of you that I have received cards, letters, flowers, gifts, etc from. Each week, I am getting cards and all from various fans and friends. It’s truly amazing the support I continue to receive. It’s truly a blessing.
I hope all of you reading have a great week. I promise to write sooner….than later.
Kelley
Happy Easter to All…we are home with our girls sharing in the joys of the Easter Bunny and Baskets. We finally dyed Easter Eggs last night…with me being gone, that just didn’t get done. I’m back at home still resting and nursing my “boo-boo” as Kennedy says. Today, we are visting my mom and step-dad and then heading to Jimmy’s sisters for Easter dinner and a family Easter Egg Hunt. Yesterday, my brother Kerry and his wife took our girls to an Easter Egg Hunt and came home with a real Easter bunny for Karsyn. She begged for it and at our place, ‘what’s one more animal’? His name is Oreo. Currently he’s in Karsyn’s room but he’s going to have to move to our garage before too long.
I hope you all have a great day. Enjoy each moment…
Talk to you soon.
Kelley
I’m still at mom’s resting, but I have had two days of little aches/pains. Thursday, my girls came to visit. It was so great to see them. Kennedy acted like she still new me (which I was worried about). It just seems weird to be away from them so long. Karsyn went to the race with her dad and our wonderful nanny, Maureen…she’s not just a nanny, she’s a member of our family. She loves racing and her and Karsyn have a ball at the track while dad works. She left me all her stuffed animals to ‘babysit’ while she is gone. She always wants to take them all with her (like 20) and we usually limit her to a few. Especially since she flew up on the helicopter. I told her that she couldn’t take so much or the helicopter couldn’t fly! She didn’t quite understand that concept. Our friend actually brought the bag of stuffed animals over to my mom’s last night…too funny. Kennedy is home with my cousin, Stacy and her daughter Kristi (she’s 20). They love having her and since we live right beside each other, Kennedy can sleep in her own bed!
Yesterday, my Mamaw Earnhardt and my Aunt Sherry came to visit for a while. Later in the evening, I had a few friends came by to say hi. Mom and I just hung out on the couch and watched HGTV. That’s one of our favorites when there is nothing else on to watch on the tube. Today, we are excpecting a visit from Kennedy…which I can’t wait for. I’m going to write some thank yous, pay some bills and rest.
I have to continue to thank all of you that are sending your comments, thoughts, cards, flowers, prayers, gifts, etc. I have received lots of cards at the office from many of you and please know that I am receiving them all and really enjoying the good feeling of knowing that so many are thinking about me. I will not get to thank each of you personally, so thank you, thank you, thank you.
I hope each of you enjoy your Saturday and enjoy the race tomorrow. Dale has a good starting position so I hope for a great day.
Kelley
…from my recent surgery. I was able to come home (well, to my mom’s) yesterday from the hospital. I’m staying with her for a few days until I can get around a little easier and home to my kids.
I really appreciate everyone’s well wishes, thoughts and prayers. Its so great to know how many people are pulling you through something like this. They told me that my page went down for awhile when Dale mentioned I was in the hospital…that’s a test to all of you that were concerned about what was happening! All of our fans, my family, my friends, business associates and so many more have sent flowers, cards, donations to the Animal Adoption League (my request in lieu of flowers), food, magazines, goody baskets and more. I can’t thank everyone enough. I do have to point out a few thank you’s to a few very special people…my husband, whose been worried to death about my health and how he would manage out two monsters (not really)without me and just concerned because I have been in so much pain since January. He’s been a trooper staying home with our kids trying to keep some normalcy to their lives and he also lost his grandmother to cancer the day of my surgery. My mom, she’s been my rock. She’s stayed at the hospital with me so Jimmy could tend to the girls at night and things weren’t too crazy for them. My brother, well he’s just awesome. Always something to say to lift your spirits and make you laugh. JR Motorsports employees, you all ROCK. We are all like family and all of you have been supportive and maning the fort while I have been away. Dale Earnhardt Inc, thank you to all the employees who have reached out to me and my family. I have enough meals to eat for the next week thanks to the Chef and his staff! Mr. Rick Hendrick, if not for Rick, I might not have gotten better so quickly. He referred me to an excellent doctor in Charlotte, Dr. Tom Werth, who diagnosed my problem right off and got me in touch with a fabulous and funny surgeon, Dr. David Ianitti. I appreciate the three of them and what they have meant to my getting better! I was at Lake Norman hosptial in January with a different doctor and a different diagnosis that could have meant more trouble down the road if it would have kept going on.
Basically, I was in the hospital for a tumor in my pancreas. They treated the tumor as cancerous and removed 60% of my pancreas along with my gall bladder, spleen, lymph nodes and they went ahead and took my appendix too for safe measure. Initial pathology reports show the tumor benign however we are waiting on the formal reports where they test the whole tumor to be safe. I’m anticipating a clean bill of health from here and a healthy recovery.
I will be out of work for a few weeks which will give me more time to kick around on Infield Parking. I have lots of comments to read from you all.
Again, I appreciate all your care and concern. It’s true…NASCAR is one big family. Thanks for being a part of ours!
Kelley
