Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on Twitter now, and he likes it
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was slow to the Twitter game, but he caught up fast.
He had steered clear of the addictive social media. When fans asked NASCAR’s most popular driver when he was joining, his standard response was “when I win another Daytona 500.”
When that happened a year ago, Earnhardt sent out a celebratory tweet that triggered almost half a million followers within 24 hours. His handlers had opened the account a bit earlier. Earnhardt had nearly 250,000 followers before his tweet.
Now he’s one of the more social media-savvy athletes, regularly reaching out to fans.
On his flight to Las Vegas on Thursday, he tweeted, “I got a few minutes to BS. Fire away.”
“Have you ever owned a Ford product?” asked @88rhendrt.
“Not only a firm No. Friends with Fords aren’t allowed in the driveway,” Earnhardt responded.
“What is the most cherished piece of racing memorabilia you own?” another fan asked.
“Any of my dads driving suits.”
Earnhardt volunteered that he was getting a new dog, after losing Killer to cancer.
“Naming him ‘Captain Augustus (Gus) McCrae’ after my favorite character in the 1989 mini series Lonesome Dove.”
His Twitter bio says it all about his good ’ole boy persona:
“Retired dealership mechanic. Former backup fullback for Mooresville Blue Devils varsity soccer team. Aspiring competition BBQ Pitmaster.”
He’s starting from the fourth spot today in the Kobalt 400.
MEDIA UPDATE
Isaiah Thomas, sparkplug guard of the Boston Celtics, has a big fan in Floyd Mayweather Jr. Thomas, who turned 26 on Saturday, received a new Bentley (they start at $180,000) as a birthday present from Mayweather. Leonard Ellerbe, longtime adviser to Mayweather Jr., and CEO of Mayweather Promotions, confirmed the rumor during an interview with ESPN 1100’s “Gridlock” last week. ...
Olivia Fierro, who has teamed up with John Huck as evening co-anchor at KVVU-TV, Channel 5, since 2009, ended her stay on Friday. She’s returning to Phoenix as morning anchor at KTVK, her former TV home. Fox 5 news director Adam Bradshaw said he is in the process of finding Fierro’s replacement.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Justin Bieber’s shirtless birthday tour comes to Las Vegas on Friday. He’s celebrating his 21st birthday at Heart of Omnia, the VIP lounge at the new club at Caesars Palace that replaced Pure. He rented a Caribbean island near Grenada for the first birthday party on March 1 and hit Miami this weekend. ...
Former ’N Sync star Joey Fatone who is filling in this month as the Dennis Dupre character on “Rock of Ages” (Palazzo), will return to “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” which is being shot this summer with the original cast.
SIGHTINGS
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, with their two kids at comedy magician Nathan Burton’s show Saturday at Saxe Theater (Planet Hollywood). ... Danica Patrick, dressed to the nines at Britney Spears’ show Friday at Planet Hollywood. ... Brad Keselowski and his girlfriend Paige White, chatting with Corey Harrison of “Pawn Stars” on Friday after dining at Andiamo Italian Steakhouse at The D on Friday. Last year, Keselowski had dinner at Andiamo and went on to win the Kobalt 400 for a weekend sweep. ... Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, backstage with Rascal Flatts before their concert on Friday at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel). ... Seattle Seahawks teammates Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, with friends at Tao (The Venetian) on Thursday. ... DJ Steve Aoki received a celebrity star at Brenden Theatres (Palms) on Friday. Attendees included Flava Flav, Coolio, Joe Jackson and Carrot Top. ... Paris and Nicky Hilton, celebrating a cousin’s bachelorette party at Beacher’s Madhouse (MGM Grand) on Friday. Nicky was spotted earlier at Color salon (Caesars Palace). ... At Crush (MGM Grand) on Friday: burlesque star Dita Von Teese, sports talk host J.T. The Brick, Las Vegas Outlaws general manager Bob Hewko and former NFL lineman Brandyn Dombrowski.
THE PUNCH LINE
“The world’s oldest person turned 117 today. And she celebrated the same way she did last year — by driving her car into somebody’s living room.” — Seth Meyers
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more at normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.
