About five years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a promise to himself.
After years of tracing his family’s genealogy, when he turned 40, he would travel to Germany and explore the country and town that the Earnhardt family originated from in 1744, he told USA Today.
“I started about five years ago, to track my genealogy,” Earnhardt said in this week’s episode of The Dale Jr. Download. "(It) started as just a little curiosity about what my great grandfather’s name was, who he was, what he was like. I wanted to know more about Ralph (Earnhardt’s) dad.”
Earnhardt is now in the process of fulfilling that promise. With the Sprint Cup Series in a bye-week, the 12-time most popular driver landed in Germany yesterday with girlfriend Amy Reimann, sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and brother-in-law L.W. Miller. German native Martin Friedrich, who is head of information technology at JR Motorsports, is serving as their guide.
“I know the exact town that my family lived in,” Earnhardt said. “We’re going there to check out the church, drink some beer and just take it easy.”
Earnhardt said he’s not the type to visit museums or landmarks and his goal is to “collapse” into the culture of the town.
Landed in Germany. 8 hour flight. I had lunch, dinner, & breakfast in that 8 hour span. Don't need food for a while. This is awesome though.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 16, 2015
They get busy on the roads here in Germany. The parts where there's no speed limit, I really like. No passing on the right! Use your signal!
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 16, 2015
I'm driving. This is the rental. Im jet lagged. Just sat down at a cafe for a double shot of espresso. pic.twitter.com/6DOiXZaB3y
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 16, 2015
.@lwmiller88 is driving for the rest of the day. I can't wait any longer to try the local suds. pic.twitter.com/XGN3g6FMck
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 16, 2015
