RELATED: Full race results
It was an emotional Sunday for both Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Atlanta Motor Speedway, as “Six-Time” tied Dale Earnhardt for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories with a total of 76.
The son of “The Intimidator” met his Hendrick Motorsports teammate in Victory Lane to offer his congratulations and kind words.
Junior also took to Twitter to show his support and voice how proud he was to come up short to the No. 48 Chevrolet.
Congrats to my friend and teammate @JimmieJohnson on tying my father today in Cup wins. Proud to have ran 2nd on this momentous occasion.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 28, 2016
Here’s what else Earnhardt Jr. said of the milestone win:
• “Knowing Jimmie Johnson and the way he operates, Dad would have loved Jimmie. How can you not like Jimmie? He’s just a good guy who never stepped over the line with anything he’s ever said or anything he’s ever did.”
• “I don’t have a problem calling him the best of this generation, even as a competitor of his and having to go out there and race against him. Obviously he will credit his crew chief and his team. That all has been real consistent throughout his career, and they do deserve some credit, but Jimmie is just a phenomenal talent.”
• “I told him on a couple occasions that when he tied daddy, he’d better say something cool, and he’d better tell them that it’s awesome for him to tie him, because I know Jeff (Gordon) had the flag and all that, so that was awesome when your competitors and peers recognize your father like that.”