The world of racing excites and motivates the youth. Many prominent racers of the day were fans back when they were younger. The case was no different for a young Justin Marks who spent much of his childhood at local dirt tracks, watching legends like Ken Schrader and the Wallace brothers battle it out. And, someone a young boy with a passion for wheels wanted to meet back in the day was Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Recently, Marks shared a nostalgic moment, a photo from his high school days on X, recounting a cherished experience, making that dream come true. The photo captured not only a special memory but also a moment that became part of Marks’ racing journey. So, why was meeting Dale Earnhardt Sr. so important in his life? To understand this, we need to travel back in time, a bit farther than this picture being captured.
When Justin Marks met not one but two racing icons
Justin Marks grew up surrounded by racing, spending his childhood watching local Midwest racers with his grandfather. Later, his family relocated to California, where he grew passionate about motorsports. He attended race school during high school and began racing at Altamont Raceway Park. Marks later left college just shy of graduation to fully commit to his racing career. And, as luck would have it, meeting his idol might have given him the courage to take this bold step.
Recently, Marks’ wife Erin shared a throwback photo on Twitter. The photo was reshared by Justin recalling a high school memory of meeting Dale Earnhardt Sr. “Me and my high school best friends drove up to Sonoma that year,” he wrote. “Frank Burchfield was running PR and said, ‘Go stand at pit road entry after driver intros and you can catch Dale.’ Cherished memory.” recalled Marks.
The young Justin Marks was laser-focused on meeting Dale Earnhardt Sr., one of the greatest racers in NASCAR history. But standing there at pit road entry, he probably didn’t realize that the other face in the photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr., would go on to continue his father’s legacy one day.
Me and my high school best friends drove up to Sonoma that year. We had a hookup for passes from Stavola Brothers Racing. Frank Burchfield was running PR and said “go stand at pit road entry after driver intros and you can catch Dale”. Cherished memory. @DaleJr https://t.co/tZGSBCI6OU
— Justin Marks (@JustinMarksTH) February 7, 2025
At that point, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was just starting to carve out his path in the sport and probably hadn’t yet made his debut in NASCAR’s top series. He and Marks, standing beside the Intimidator could have never thought that they would become such good friends! It was a brief encounter, but looking back, it’s clear how that moment captured a unique piece of NASCAR history.
Decades later, the photo still holds deep significance for Marks. It’s a symbol of the pivotal time in his life when his dream began to feel real. What started as a high school adventure turned into a long journey of hard work, perseverance, and success in the racing world. It is something that his fans have resonated with throughout his racing career.
Fans rave over Justin Marks’ throwback moment
Fans quickly flooded Justin Marks’ post with enthusiastic reactions, celebrating the nostalgic throwback. Many were captivated by the rare glimpse into his early racing days and the chance encounter with not just one, but two racing legends—Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The photo brought back memories for long-time racing fans, sparking conversations about that era in NASCAR history.
“That was before they redesigned the track. I loved that old version better,” one fan reminisced. The Sonoma Raceway where the picture was taken has undergone 6 renovations starting in 1998. the track was originally 2.52 miles. In ’98, they modified it to 1.949 miles by adding a Chute. The Chute was modified in 2001 to make the track measure 1.99 miles. 2003 and 2012 saw no changes in the track length but, added turn 11B and modified Chicane 9A on the map. In 2019, the track celebrated its 50th anniversary by taking the track back to its original length (2.52 miles) and the most recent update in 2022 has taken the length to 1.99 miles again. It’s too much for fans to catch up with.
Another fan chimed in, “Damn, that’s a flex. So damn cool.” One comment even asked the burning question, “How’d you wind up being the one to not stand next to Dale?” The sentiment of this fan echoes with many others. When someone dreams of driving a stock car, Dale Sr. is the man they look up to. We never know, Justin’s friend might have driven him to the stadium giving him the better claim for a position closer to the Intimidator, but this is just speculation. Nobody would really miss an opportunity this great!
Several others, including Steven Taranto, a news writer for CBS Sports, admired the vintage Hooters Racing shirt from the photo, wishing they could get their hands on it. “That fit is terrific. Need one of those Hooters Racing shirts,” Taranto said. Things were different back when Hooters was a primary race sponsor. Remember the 1992 Hooters 500 won by Bill Elliot? It was also Richard Petty’s retirement race. Here is a funny animated video showing you the entire race.
Marks’ post resonated with fans on a deeply personal level, blending nostalgia with a touch of racing history. The story behind the photo offered a rare window into a special moment that had come full circle. From a young fan who luckily met one of the best father-son duos in NASCAR history to an established figure in the racing world himself, Marks’ journey is a testament to how passion and hard work can turn cherished memories into reality.
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