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Believe it or not, Royals manager Ned Yost and Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. are old pals

When Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Royals manager Ned Yost was watching. Not necessarily because he's a huge NASCAR fan, mind you, but because he's known Junior since the driver was just eight years old:

Yost's relationship with the family stretches back three decades. Yost met Earnhardt's father in the 1980s. On a hunting trip back then, Yost's former teammate Jody Davis asked if he could bring a friend. That was Senior, already an accomplished racer - and a tremendous hunter.

"A phenomenal shot," Yost said. "I've seen him shoot things at 800 yards. Lost $200."

Yost became close friends with Senior. He often visited with him before races, sitting in silence as Earnhardt prepared.

After watching Junior win his second career Daytona 500, Yost invited him to visit Royals batting practice this year when the Sprint Cup Series swings through Arizona in early March.

And FYI, the Royals and Rangers share a Spring Training home. That means there's an off-chance we'll get the Russell Wilson vs. Dale Earnhardt Jr. home run derby we've all been waiting for...

Read More: Kansas City Royals