To begin with, I've thought a lot about writing a blog over the weekend, but was too passionately angry to come up with any congruent thoughts, to put together. Until now.
I've had many a constructive conversation, on Twitter, about what transpired among teammates, on the night of the Pepsi 400. The ten year anniversary since Dale Earnhardt, Jr, gloriously won the race-- five short months after his father's demise. Indeed now, it could have been another glorious night, last Saturday.
I sat watching the race, and listening to the scanner, while Dale Jr and Jimmie Johnson, pushed each-other near the back of the pack, nearly all race long. There was quite the colorful commentary among the two drivers-- taking shots at each-other, while they cruised along. Now I'm not a fan of the sandbagging drivers do at plate races. It was very much out of character for Dale Earnhardt Jr to do just that. But he did. He seemed to be having a blast just cruising this one, since the two car tandem wasn't his ideal situation.
The race went by rather quickly, which is a bit unheard of for Daytona. It was 10 to go before we saw "The Big One." Dale Earnhardt, Jr, he got around the first wreck. Back pedaling doesn't always reap the finest reward, and he was lucky to get around it. He went from 21st to 11th with that fast thinking on his spotter's part, and quick hands on the drivers' part. He was set to go from there, with Jimmie Johnson, his wing man, behind him.
However, the teammate situation didn't last the whole race. With three to go, Jimmie was called into his pit stall, and he went. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. tried to raise him on the radio, to figure out a plan for the final laps of the race. Steve came over the channel to tell him that he pitted, and that that wasn't part of the plan.
Earlier this evening a radio synopsis was given by a fellow fan,(magicjrfan) on what the 48 spotter said:
"Earl said the game plan for the 48/88 was after the first round of pitstops, they would migrate to the mid to back of the pack. This was to reduce stress and not be bunched up in the pack. Therefore no close calls or altercations with other cars there.
At the end of the race, pit strategy with the 48/88 was different and they got separated.
Earl said on the last lap of the GWC you are not looking for a dance partner. You just go for it.
Earl said it came down to the end where the 48 had to try and win. Both cars were on their own.
Chocolate questioned why Jr and JJ got off sync. Earl avoided the question saying he had to use a lot of aloe lotion for the sunburn he got. Then he said he really doesn't know why. He said sometimes communication can get confusing. Earl then said something happened and it just didn't work out."
Earl could have told us a tire was going down. The communication was right there. Dale Jr and Jimmie played spotter for each-other when the other couldn't see around him. The radio was switched over with 3 to go for Jimmie to pit. I reiterate that neither Dale or Steve Letarte were told about this plan. A simple explanation is all we as Junior Nation needed.
We don't need to hear we're "crazy," or that the "sane" Dale Jr fans were more understanding. Just like we don't need to hear jokes among friends, at lunch, at the expense of Dale Jr's fans. What would be a class act is the truth.
I find it kind of intriguing that Dale didn't listen to his spotter or his crew chief, when they told him to wait for Jimmie Johnson. Dale didn't want to hear of it. He wanted to try and get this win on his own. Yet, Jimmie Johnson listened to his crew chief, and pitted. He could have protested and said that he was going to stay with his teammate, to help him out-- just like he was helped in Talladega earlier in the year.
In the end, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. attempted what he was supposed to-- win the race. He rose from the mistake his teammate made, and stoked the fire in his belly. and shot from 15th to 3rd and nearly had the race won. It said to me, and much of his legion of fans, that he is back, and ready to win. It will be glorious, again.
