OTHER DROP DOWN

Panthers LB Davis takes 5-lap spin with Earnhardt Jr.

May 19, 2015, 2:54 PM

Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, talks with Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, right, during a new...

Dale Earnhardt Jr., left, talks with Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, right, during a news conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Davis, the NFL's Man of the Year, has been selected to be the honorary pace car driver for the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday. Dale Earnhardt Jr took Davis on several high speed laps around the track. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Not a lot scares Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis so he was comfortable going a few laps around Charlotte Motor Speedway at 165 mph with NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Davis, this year’s NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, was selected to be the honorary pace car driver for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.

He got a chance Tuesday to test out the pace car on the one-and-a-half mile track before jumping in a stock car with Earnhardt, who took him on five high-speed laps around the race track.

“That was an adrenaline rush,” Davis said as he emerged from Earnhardt’s No. 88 Nationwide car with a smile.

The man who has made a living out of hitting running back and quarterbacks said the speed didn’t frighten him.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Davis spent his five laps filming from the passenger seat so he could show his kids. He later posted the event on social media for his fans to see.

Earnhardt said he pushed the car to the max, but it didn’t seem to make the 10-year NFL veteran flinch.

“He’s hard to scare,” Earnhardt said. “I imagine he’s seen just about every possible coming at him on the (football) field. … I ran that thing as hard as it would go. He wasn’t impressed. He was filming the whole thing with his phone like he was riding down the interstate.”

Despite growing up near the Charlotte area, Earnhardt has always been a fan of the Washington Redskins.

While he has no plans to change his allegiance to the Redskins, he said meeting Davis and some other Carolina players like tight end Greg Olsen has changed his opinion of his hometown Panthers. He likes them a lot more now and appreciates what they have done in the community.

Earnhardt’s focus is on the Coca-Cola 600.

He was a non-factor Saturday night in the All-Star race, but hopes to change all of that this weekend on a track where he desperately wants to win.

“We didn’t run that well in the All-Star race and it was struggle when he got further back,” Earnhardt said. “We are going to come with a different setup, a different car and go a different route and see if we can improve.”

Davis will lead him and 42 other drivers to the green flag Sunday.

A self-described NASCAR fan, Davis said he has been to a few races before — but this will be his first time in the pace car.

Davis, who has recovered from three torn ACLs in the same knee and returned to play at a high level, knows the end of his career is coming in the not-so-distant future. He still has plenty of things he wants to accomplish, including winning a Super Bowl ring before he retires.

Riding shotgun with Earnhardt, though, was more thing to scratch off his bucket list.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Other Drop Down

FILE – In this July 25, 2015 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak...

Arizona Sports

Trump hosts Women’s British Open as Park resumes slam quest

Inbee Park resuming her quest for the career Grand Slam. Teenage prodigy Lydia Ko seeking that elusive first major. Michelle Wie going for victory with an injured left foot.

9 years ago

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, right, motions to Democratic Reps., from left: Peter Barca; ...

Arizona Sports

Wisconsin Assembly approves Milwaukee Bucks arena deal

The Wisconsin state Assembly voted Tuesday to spend $250 million in public funds on a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, a deal that both Republicans and Democrats lauded as good for the state and city.

9 years ago

FILE-In this Nov. 13, 2014 file photo former PGA golfer Charlie Sifford sits in the dining room in ...

Arizona Sports

Family of late black golf great accused of $1 million theft

The son and ex-daughter-in-law of late black golf pioneer Charlie Sifford were indicted Tuesday on charges they stole more than $1 million from him.

9 years ago

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during a practice round for the Quicken Loans Nat...

Arizona Sports

Michelle Wie limps into her next major

that matched her best result of the year -- she developed a bone spur in her left foot that she attributed to the hilly terrain of Lancaster Country Club.

9 years ago

Lexi Thompson holds the trophy after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic golf tournament Sunday, July 2...

Arizona Sports

Golf’s youth movement means 30 is the new 20

a major -- from an otherwise remarkable record. Ko had never missed the cut in her career until that week at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. A month later, she was never in contention at the U.S. Women's Open.

9 years ago

Tiger Woods smiles as he answers a question during a news conference prior to the start of the Quic...

Arizona Sports

Tiger Woods running out of chances to salvage season

Tiger Woods knows he's played poorly over the past two years. Now, he's facing the prospect of an early end to his season.

9 years ago

Panthers LB Davis takes 5-lap spin with Earnhardt Jr.