UPS RACING

It’s so amazing that UPS will be celebrating its 102nd Founders Day on August 28!  This is such an accomplishment for a great company and group of employees who have meant so much to me and my family over the years.  As I was thinking about how special this day is to everyone at UPS, I began to remember the many memorable days and dates that have had an impact on my life.

The first ones that come to mind are the birth dates of my children, and of course June 22, the date Kelley and I were married.  As a matter of fact, we just celebrated our 25th anniversary!  These dates all bring very fond memories of wonderful family celebrations.  I have also always looked forward to Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas because I know these times will be enjoyed with my children and extended family.  Even when I was racing and on the road some 250 days a year, I knew these special holidays were times I wouldn’t have to be at the track and could enjoy some much needed family time.

Another very special date in my life is August 18.  I know it’s not a holiday and isn’t significant to most people, but to me it’s full of wonderful memories.  I not only won my first Cup race at Michigan on this date in 1991, but also won two more Cup races there on the exact same date in 1996 and 2002!  In addition, it was in August of 2000 that Robert Yates was putting the finishing touch on our UPS sponsorship deal that would begin in 2001.  I have a brother, sister, niece and nephew who were all born in the month of August too, so it’s a very special month for me just as it is for everyone at UPS.

I have so many memorable dates that involve UPS.  One big one was driving the 100th Anniversary car at Bristol on August 25, 2007.  The car had a special paint scheme honoring the Centennial celebration and was designed by a UPS employee.  I would also have to include finally “racing” the UPS Truck in my final UPS TV commercial.  Even though that was a very emotional and memorable day for me, it didn’t even come close to all the emotions I felt while driving the Big Brown Truck around the track in Charlotte prior to the final race of my career on May 17, 2008!!

It has been an honor and privilege to represent UPS since 2001.  I know that all of you are also very proud to be a part of an American icon.  Congratulations UPS and to all of your employees worldwide for continuing to be a leader in the delivery business for 102 years!

Dale Jarrett

Share a story of a special date in your memory in the comments below.

Father’s Day has always been a very special time for the Jarrett family.  Even though most of them have been spent at race tracks around the country, we have always tried to make Father’s Day a time for family.

I also know family is something that is very important to everyone at UPS.  During my years with them, I have found it quite interesting to see the different generations of families that have worked together to help make UPS the successful company it is.  And I have no doubt that the families who are watching and cheering for the UPS race car are the very ones who have made UPS an excellent shipping company for many years.

NASCAR has always been about family too.  Many famous families have enjoyed success on the track for many years in our sport.  Names like Petty, Allison, Earnhardt and Waltrip have been around for decades.  And fortunately, NASCAR racing has been very good to the Jarrett family.  I am very proud of the fact that my dad, Ned, and I are one of only two father-son combinations who have won Cup championships, with Richard and Lee Petty being the other.

Speaking of my dad, the UPS commercials we made together are some of my favorite memories from shooting the spots over the years.  I think it shows how much family really does mean to UPS that they allowed us to use their time to have some fun and help promote the UPS brand.

Now UPS has another family of racers representing them on the track.  I had the privilege of racing with David’s dad, Ken, back in the late 80s and early 90s.  He was a great and very fair competitor, just as David is today.  I don’t think it will be very long before we see David and his UPS Ford in Victory Lane!

Happy Father’s Day!!

Dale Jarrett

P.S. What’s your favorite racing memory with your Dad? Post a comment below!