As the majority of drivers do, Dale Earnhardt Jr. flies almost exclusively on a private plane to wherever NASCAR is racing that particular weekend.
But Earnhardt made an exception this week, instead hitching a ride Thursday on the semitruck hauling his car to Daytona International Speedway, the site of Sunday's Coke Zero 400. And he shared that journey from North Carolina to Daytona Beach, Fla., in a series of tweets.
I'm @TeamHendrick climbing in the @nationwide88 hauler to ride with @trucker_squigz down to @DISupdates https://t.co/KdqRsCZyH4
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Fuel stop south of Rock Hill, SC. #DaytonaBound pic.twitter.com/yoQsEydx7Y
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
This is my first time riding in the truck in over 20 years. Figured I was long over due for a trip. https://t.co/PZmanFmwYt
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Willie's Roadhouse on @SIRIUSXM. I've got $2 in the jukebox, and $5 dollars in a bottle....#EddieRabbitt pic.twitter.com/f9Ix8KgvTW
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Just past an ole bear on the side of the road looking to hand out some driving awards. #TruckerTalk
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Months back I turned @trucker_squigz onto @twentyonepilots and he's rockin that in the hauler now. I feel right at home. #HeavyDirtySoul
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
When asked why he wasn't taking a turn at the wheel, Earnhardt explained it wasn't because a lack of desire.
I do not have a CDL license to drive this hauler. And it's got 18 gears. That's 14 more than I know what to do with. https://t.co/yIGp0ZWKMz
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Definitely fun riding to @DISupdates in the 88 hauler. But I hear @DavidRagan (has a CDL license) co-drove the #34 hauler out west years ago
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Every trucker needs a nickname and Clint Bowyer wanted to know what handle Earnhardt was going by.
If you're gonna be a super trucker you gotta establish a handle. What did u come up with? #19 https://t.co/tndA7NK96R
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) July 2, 2015
Hammerhead. My nickname as a child. Dad said I was hard headed like the head of a hammer. Imagine that. https://t.co/JNh4yvh31I
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Not quite used to life on the open highway, Earnhardt had to request a stop to use the bathroom.
Made it to Darien, GA before I had to beg for a piss break. @trucker_squigz has a fridge full of @MountainDew & I mighta been overserved.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
4 wheeler on the shoulder! St. Augustine #TruckerTalk #DaytonaBound pic.twitter.com/DthwTLSW3x
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
Is it me or does every song sound better in this 18 wheeler I'm rollin in? @DierksBentley #DrunkOnAPlane
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015
New perspective for @trucker_squigz job. I told the 88/48 truckers I had fun. Their response: "You don't have to do it every week" #truth
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 2, 2015