WATKINS GLEN — Former Cup Lites Series driver T. J. Majors was playing a NASCAR online video racing game in 1998 from his East Bethany (near Batavia) home and was badly defeating his opponent.

Through e-mails with that mystery opponent, Majors found out that it was none other the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Majors won more then a game that day. He ended up gaining a very close friend and future opportunities as well.

Majors is the race day spotter for Earnhardt and talks to him throughout the race lap-by-lap, guiding him through the many on-track happenings that occur during a race. He also became Earnhardt’s best friend. People on the circuit say the two buddies are inseparable.

“We have a lot of fun together, like during the week when we have a chance to get together and enjoy time with other friends we know,” said Majors. “During the race we have to keep things on the work we have to do but usually something funny is said every week.

“Once I realized that it was him on the video game, we started exchanging e-mails and then we started talking on the telephone. I met him in person in 1999 when I went to his test session at the Glen. I ran my last season up here in Cup Lites in 2001 and left the next year to move south.

“I drove a Street Stock for Dale in 2001 and a Late Model for him in 2003. . . . I worked for different Cup teams and I joined DEI [Dale Earnhardt Inc.] as Dale’s spotter with 10 races to go last season. I came with him to Henrick this season. It’s a dream come true to have these opportunities and to be his good friend.”

In addition to spotting for Earnhardt for Cup races, Majors also serves in the same capacity for Brad Keselowski on the Nationwide Series. Between Cup practices, Nationwide qualifying and the Zippo 200, he spent nearly five hours on the spotters stand. - buffalonews.com

Captain Thunder Has Created A New NASCAR Smart Phone App

"Captain Thunder's NASCAR News"

Click Here To Download The Most Complete NASCAR App Available Anywhere