By Rick Houston
Before the Charlotte sportscaster was finished talking, Dale Earnhardt was on the phone to Will Cronkrite.
Earnhardt’s request was a simple one. Let me drive your car at Charlotte, and if that works out, maybe more.
The ride wasn’t exactly Cronkrite’s to give, so Earnhardt called Humpy Wheeler, who was basically funding the effort. Wheeler called Cronkrite, Cronkrite called Earnhardt back and history was made. That night, Earnhardt was in Cronkrite’s shop, preparing the car to his specifications. It was a bold move … it was an Earnhardt move.
All the way, a young Dale Earnhardt Jr. waited in the cab of his father’s pickup truck.
This is Will Cronkrite’s story.
Join hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid each week on The Scene Vault Podcast Presented by Q Ware as they take a look back at the extraordinary people, places and events woven into the rich tapestry that is our sport.
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