Harvick surprises Dale Jr. with special gift on dad's birthday

Dale Earnhardt Jr. received an unexpected gift from fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick on Wednesday, the day that would have been Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s 64th birthday.

Harvick gave Junior a diecast of the "Army Special" Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna that Junior's father drove in the 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1976.

The Walter Ballard-owned car, which the elder Earnhardt raced in his second career start in NASCAR's top series, finished 31st after retiring with a blown engine 156 laps into the 400-lap event.

Nevertheless, Junior was clearly touched by Harvick's gesture, and will no doubt forever treasure the special diecast -- which his father actually signed prior to his death in February 2001.