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NASCAR Star Blindsided by Artemis II
2 Apr
Summary
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. learned of the Artemis II Moon Mission minutes before liftoff.
- The Artemis II mission successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center.
- Earnhardt Jr. regrets passing up chances to drive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. was unexpectedly caught off guard by the launch of NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission. The mission, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day crewed test flight around the Moon, successfully lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on April 1.
Earnhardt Jr. took to social media to express his astonishment, stating he had no prior knowledge of the mission until mere minutes before the rocket's ascent. His surprise was met with a humorous reply from former NASCAR driver Rick Mast.
The Artemis II crew, comprising Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, is slated to conclude its mission with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.
Separately, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared a career regret: missing opportunities to drive laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his thirties. The accomplished driver, who now co-owns JR Motorsports and works as a NASCAR analyst, expressed a wish to have experienced the famed track.
