Dale Earnhardt Jr. Joins NASCAR Hall of Fame

Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined his father in the NASCAR Hall of Fame as he was inducted into the 12th Hall of Fame class Friday night.

“Nothing that racing has given me will ever top this night,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “The people enshrined in this building, they’re my role models and my heroes and one of them happens to be my father, so to join dad in the Hall of Fame is probably as good as it’s going to get.”

Joining Earnhardt Jr. in the Class of 2021 includes late-model driver Red Farmer and modified driver Mike Stefanik. Ralph Seagraves was named as the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

The group was selected in 2020, but the induction ceremony was postponed for more than a year due to the pandemic, ESPN reports.

"There's one key support system that's always been consistent throughout my career, and that's the fans," Earnhardt Jr. said during his speech. "JR Nation's always had my back! When I stumbled, you guys were right there ready to lift me back up. Man, there were times when I absolutely needed you — and you never let me down. You were always there. We won together, and we lost together. ... You should know that I don't go into this Hall of Fame alone. I go in with you, and I go in because of you."

Earnhardt was inducted by his wife, Amy.

"He gives of himself daily and loves his family dearly," she said.

The full ceremony can be seen on NBC Sports.