Dale Earnhardt Jr. Takes A Shot At Meteorology

Dale Jr. made a transition from the race track to television and he started off in the weather studio at WCNC-NBC Charlotte to cover the Charlotte weather forecast ahead of race weekend this past weekend in Martinsville for the launch of Goodyear’s WeatherReady tire.

It seems like the 14-time Most Popular Driver won’t have any problem finding a new career once he leaves full-time NASCAR racing at the end of the year. In fact, the 43-year-old has already signed up to be a television analyst for NBC Sports next year so you’ll be able to see him on TV for more than just your weather update. He’ll also have his hands full with a baby expected to arrive on May 3.

Early Friday morning, Earnhardt took to the tv screen on WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and delivered the forecast to local viewers. The surprise weather guest was put together by Goodyear as a promotion for the launch of the new Assurance WeatherReady tire.

He told USA Today’s “For The Win” section that the whole set up as a lot of fun, however, he doesn’t have the willingness to get up at 1:30 a.m. every morning to make it a permanent gig.

“I’ve never done anything like that, but I had a lot of good prep when I got here from Larry Sprinkle, the weatherman in this area,” Earnhardt told FTW. “I grew up watching him all my life and have met him a few times at races, so I felt pretty comfortable. … I wish I could do it again now that I know the process because I feel way more prepared now than I did going in. But Larry did the best he could with what he had to work with. ”