The Dive Into Four

NASCAR Propels Giants to Super Bowl Victory (As Do The Rest Of The Plays In The Giants’ Arsenal)

2012-02-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2012) — Last night in the Daytona 500 of Football, the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, employing a thrilling, breathtaking and awe-inspiring defensive package named after a thrilling, breathtaking and awe-inspiring sport – NASCAR.

The moniker, and its genesis, makes sense. Think about it…

DE Justin Tuck went to college at Notre Dame, a quick three-hour drive from Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Look at him during a game, dancing here – then there – behind the line of scrimmage. Aren’t his shimmies – which often result in a spike of some poor quarterback – reminiscent of Darrell Waltrip in Daytona International Speedway’s Victory Lane after winning The Great American Race in 1989?

Then watch the swim move from DE Osi Umenyiora, whose college (Troy University) sits about a two-and-a-half hour drive from big Talladega Superspeedway. His go-to move: Juking right, swatting a helpless defender away, and launching left. Can’t you envision a similar slingshot maneuver on Lap 200 on Feb. 26?

Now everyone’s down with JPP – DE Jason Pierre-Paul. He went to school at the University of South Florida, near NASCAR’s bookend tracks – Daytona and Homestead-Miami Speedway. His specialty: Off the block speed, every single play. If the NFL had an American Ethanol Fastest on the Restart Award (they don’t, but NASCAR does), he’d win it every game.

No wonder the Giants nicknamed its all-out pass rush after the world’s most competitive form of motorsports.

“We came up with NASCAR; we call it our speed package,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, who notched two sacks last night, told ESPN. “Why do we call it that? All of us compete about who’s the fastest and who gets to the quarterback the fastest. So NASCAR’s just something that felt right.”

So there’s a competition about who’s the fastest? And they bicker about who will be first to an all-important prize? Do the similarities ever end? Maybe the NFL should just give in and end games with a checkered flag.

Among the NASCAR drivers who attended Super Bowl XLVI were Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, Austin and Ty Dillon.

Next, on Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. on FOX, NASCAR’s best will run the Daytona 500 for their chance at immortality.

The story lines for the much-anticipated opener are plenty. Will it be defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, who looks to fill the only hole in his brilliant career with his first win in The Great American Race? Or maybe Dale Earnhardt Jr. will nab his second 500 win, to join his 2004 trophy. Then there’s the debut of Danica Patrick. Could she shock the world, winning the sport’s biggest race in her first series start? Either way, the Daytona 500 appetizer is over. The main course is now only three weeks away.

For additional information, contact:

Mike Forde, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications.

Transcript: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Preseason Thunder Test Session, Day One

2012-01-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

KERRY THARP: We're here with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., driver of the No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew National Guard Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, and Dale, first thing I'm going to ask you, you've won the Daytona 500, you know what it's like to go to victory lane here at Daytona. What would it be like to go into victory lane here at Daytona again in 2012?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Winning the 500 is the biggest race of the year. It's the greatest feeling. When it comes to winning single events, you can't beat it. A lot of effort goes into this race. Just like down here testing for three days, we don't really do it anywhere else. Same amount of work that you're seeing down here for three days, that's what's happening back at the shop with the engines for this race, for that whole Speed Weeks. The effort is quadruple when it comes to how much goes into the engines just for that race and the bodies on the cars just for that race.A lot goes into it for whatever reason, more than any other event. So it's a pretty big deal when you win.

Q. Just a simple question: What's your mindset entering the season? How did the off-season go as far as you thinking about this season and what's your approach going to be?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: The off-season has been good. I've been able to relax a lot, and I've been looking forward to getting in the car. I really wasn't ready to get out of the car, and I've been asking Steve when we were going to test, when we're going to go to the racetrack just to be doing something instead of sitting around at home. We plan to test a little bit more than we did last year before the season starts, which I think will be good for our team. It's been good, though. I've been just enjoying the time off and really getting charged up and ready for the year to start.

Q. What's your thoughts on the speed y'all are running out there now? Do you think it'll be faster, slower? Do you like it better than last year?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Yeah, I like going faster than we've been going. The cars are really, really slow by themselves the last couple years at Daytona and Talladega. Qualifying in the mid 180 range is just way too slow. You know, when I was growing up as a kid, hearing the numbers that guys were trying to put up and how fast they would go, 210 here and 214 at Talladega when Elliott was doing that in '85, maybe it was '84, but just back then those kind of numbers, man, that was awesome stuff to read about, and it gets you really excited. So going 30 miles an hour slower than that doesn't sound like a lot of fun, and it's not. So I'm glad that they opened up the cars a little bit, took a little plate away, took a little spoiler away and gave us a bigger plate.

I could always -- the cars, the track is brand new, and the tire is really good, so the cars don't handle. I like the cars to handle some. I'd like to have to adjust on my car and work on the handling and get it to drive good, but it doesn't go fast enough to have a problem. So that's a little disappointment. But I think that the changes they made are really good. I can feel that I'm going around the corner faster than I have been the last couple years, which is good.

Q. What kind of racing do you think we'll see if it's not tandem racing? What kind of racing will fans see from the grandstands?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I've only run single car runs today, so I don't really know how to answer that question. If I had to guess, I'd guess it's going to look like last year's race.

Q. I was just curious your thoughts about what kind of impact the stories we've seen about limiting communications between drivers on the track might make.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I don't think it'll be a big deal. You know, pretty much everybody is working with teammates anyways. I don't think they're going to limit that. I don't think it'll be any big deal. When we first started tandem drafting, you might end up working with somebody outside of your company, but then everybody sort of got a little strict on who they were going to work with and how they were going to do it, and they stuck with that plan the entire races. So I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Q. Do you have any changes at all really with your team this year, and if not, can you just talk about kind of the difference going into this year compared to last year?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: We had a couple people move around. I had a really, really good interior guy that went to work at RCR because it's a little closer to where he lives. A lot, actually. And we got a new guy who works out really good.

A couple other positions like that, similar to that, that can really affect a team. Everybody's personalities have to mesh and everybody has to get along good. You get one guy in there that everybody doesn't like, then you've got a big problem, kind of a bruise over the entire season and can really bring a team down from the inside out.

But I feel pretty good about the changes we've made. I believe in what Steve chooses when it comes to personnel, to put the team around him that he thinks he needs. So I'm excited about some of those changes that we've made. But other than that, we have nothing really huge that's been done. I think they did hire a fellow to come in and manage the fabrication department or something like that, which is a pretty big deal, but the effects of that won't be felt for another month or so.

Q. When Danica came here in '09 for the ARCA test she talked about how nervous she was and had trouble figuring out how to put her hair in the uniform and things like that. Did you pay any attention to her today? Did you feel like this is routine stuff for her, that she's kind of gotten past all that?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I didn't even remember that she was supposed to be here. I didn't know who was in the 10 car until Steve told me because I saw 10 on the board, and I'm thinking, There's no 10; who's in the 10? But she's been relatively quiet, and that's probably good for her to be able to come in here and work and get everything done she wants to get done and concentrate on her driving and concentrate on her new team and everybody. She's learning a whole new group of guys, and the nuances of the Cup car versus the Nationwide car. As far as I can tell it's been a pretty quiet day, considering.

Q. Just wanted to ask you about Cole Whitt in your Nationwide car, about that deal.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: All right.

Q. Tell me how you came to pick him over the other drivers who are out there and what you think he brings to your team.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Well, I thought that, no disrespect to any of the guys that we didn't choose, they know who they are, but we considered a lot of different people. I just felt like Cole had some potential that was untapped, that we hadn't -- he had potential and ability that we hadn't been able to -- he hadn't even discovered yet, and I feel like in the guys that we looked at, we sort of know what kind of hand and cars they had and what kind of talent they had and where they would take us.

And I think it's more exciting, a lot more risky but more exciting to go with a guy who you don't really know what he's capable of and could be big things, but you've just got to take that risk. And that's really why I do it. I don't do it to make money. I don't have a whole lot of other reasons to be in the Nationwide Series other than just to help somebody. When I'm able to do that -- I enjoy seeing what happened to Brad and seeing Eric get a deal like he's got now. That's why I do it, you know.

It's funner to help the new guy than it is to help the guy that's kind of been through the ringer a few times. Everybody deserves their opportunity, and I just feel like that was going to be Cole's only shot.

Q. You had watched Keselowski and seen him on the track and kind of had him on the radar screen. Did you have that same kind of interest with Cole because this really came together very quickly with Eric leaving. Was he somebody that you said, my goodness, if we could give this kid a shot somewhere down the road -- because you also have Josh under roof, too.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Well, Josh did a good job for us. I didn't really watch Cole like I did Brad. I knew Brad before I even thought about hiring him as a driver. I just knew him, knew his family and stuff and would see him and watch him drive and watch him do stuff.And he impressed me, but I didn't have the opportunity to sort of -- I didn't have the opportunity to watch Cole. The only time I really got to see Cole race was at Phoenix in the Cup car when I was out on the track with him. I never watched any of his truck races, never seen him drive before then. But everybody who works in that garage in there that has my phone number called me and told me Cole was the guy. Every one of them. People I don't even talk to, people that I don't really have relationships with took time out of their day to call me and say, that's the guy you need to hire.

They had no other -- other than interest in seeing Cole do well and get an opportunity. I thought it said a lot for people to do that. And the ones that I reached out to, that was the first guy on their list. I trusted all these people, and I feel like the guy -- from what I can tell, what I can see, that he deserves an opportunity. This might be his only opportunity, so I wanted to be the one to give it to him.

Q. How did your '70s-themed New Year's Eve party go, and who did you end up dressing up as?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: I'm glad you asked. I was Evel Knievel, of course. Has Matt Kenseth been in here today? Is he coming in?

KERRY THARP: He's coming in in about 30 minutes.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR.: Y'all can remind him that he owes me $2,500 because he had a beard that night and I bet him he couldn't keep it through the test, and we actually sent a few texts back and forth to confirm the bet, and he shaved his beard. You guys can remind him -- I told him to go to the bank, but maybe he forgot. I want my $2,500.

KERRY THARP: Thank you, Dale.

Dale Earnhardt Jr --Champions Week in Review

2012-01-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Championship week started off with a bang in Las Vegas with a victory lap, along with a burnout by each of the 12 drivers in the chase standings. There was also a rabble rousing Newlywed Game with Bob Eubanks, before the parade lap-- as well as an After the Lap question and answer session, where Jeff Gordon showed off his break dancing skills.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., was a delight to see, after a two year absence. He had his highest finish of 7th in points, since 2006, where he finished 5th on the year.

His 25th place finish in 2009, and 21st in 2010, kept him from the seat at one of the Sprint Cup Award show tables. But for one.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was on hand to collect his ninth consecutive Most Popular Driver award, Wednesday night. His speech was that of a humble driver that his fans, known ubiquitously as Junior Nation, have come to know:

"It's an honor to win this award for the ninth year. I want to thank the National Motorsports Press Association, Wheaties Fuel, and General Mills for their role in supporting the award, and the sport.

"To Rick Hendrick and Steve Letarte, and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports--especially the guys in the 48/88 shop. It's an honor to drive such great race cars. Of course none of this would be possible without the backing of Amp Energy, National Guard, and Chevrolet. Each have a hand in elevating the popularity of the 88 team.

"As for the most popular driver award, I'm glad they didn't take the vote solely on the last race, because it would have gone to that man right there, Tony Stewart. Congratulations to Tony and Darian [Grubb] and their whole organization, on the championship. Your performance during the chase was one for the history books.

"I'm pretty sure the fans will wear this award as a badge of honor, and so they should, because the award is theirs. Their efforts allow me to be here today, to accept it. So, I want to not only thank them, but congratulate them, on winning their ninth consecutive most popular driver award.

"It's a privilege to compete in front of millions of fans every week. And the credit goes to them for all the success this sport has had since it's beginnings. Thank you."

After the luncheon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. touched on what winning the MPD meant to him.

"Running better this year. That's part of it. The one thing that's most bothersome is, the fans they put all this effort into votiing for this award. or winning this award, so you can come get and you go out on the race track and you don't do anything to deserve it you don't feel like you give them any reason to cheer.

"They spend money, invest-they show up, there's nothing to be excited about. so that's been a bit of a disappoint ment over the last couple of years. But when you do run well and consistent-- We've run pretty good this year. We're still not satisfied. But we're definitely improved. It's easier to accept something that someone is trying to honor you with.

"The fans deserve the credit. because they put forth the effort to get the award. It's their little award, their celebration. You can sort of pay attention all year long put your finger on the pulse of the fan base, and understand how much effort their putting in all year long. They get excited putting forth the effort. "

That evening, Earnhardt would go on to win a Stewie award(Presented by SiriusXM and Tony Stewart) for Driver Communication. He joked that he thought Kurt Busch would get the award. Tony Stewart, and Earnhardt Jr would share memories of the 2004 Daytona 500. Dale commented on how hard Stewart was to pass, and thought he might during the final lap.

Earnhardt would go on to pick up a 7th place standings trophy for season. He spoke with relative ease, and eloquence on the night.

"I want to thank them for all they do for keeping us going (all the sponsors). I look forward to having Diet Mountain Dew into the lineup for 2012.

"To Chevrolet, I'm always proud to run with the bow-tie. Thank you guys for your year, years of support. Other sponsors that make this possible are Quaker State, Bank of America, Time Warner Cable, Sunoco, Bosch, Siemens, Purolator, Mac Tools, Sprint and Goodyear.

"I want to congratulate Tony [Stewart]. His team's performance in the chase made it hard not to stop and take notice of the times. I'm pretty sure the fans felt the same way which means everybody in this room wins. For that, Tony and Darian, we all owe you a big thanks.

"Speaking of the fans, I want to thank everyone who spends their time, money and energy on our sport. It means a great deal to all of us and we see it as a privilege to be able to compete in front of such incredible crowds each week.

"To Rick and Linda Hendrick, it's an honor to drive your race cars. Thanks for having my back, both professionally and personally.

"To the France family, Mike Helton and entire NASCAR sanctioned body, thank you for the integrity, vision and standard you use to run this sport. You guys had a few fires to put out this season and I hope somewhere in your notes, you realized you didn't get no trouble out of me. Merry Christmas to everybody. Happy New Year. Thank you." *

Many are hopeful for a return to the Championship stage for Dale Earnhardt Jr, in 2012. More than likely his fans will be voting him to win his 10th MPD trophy. Many more are keeping their fingers crossed that he is seated at the Championship table--along with Rick Hendrick for his 11th Cup championship in the trophy case, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr's first.

*Credit to Melissa McDonald for the Cup awards speech.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -- Just the Facts, Ma'am.

2011-10-18T22:38:00.001-07:00

I've read a lot of articles, and heard a lot of opinions lately, on how Dale Earnhardt Jr should race, and live his life. One came recently from a fan, and I use that term loosely,in reference to this person--I'm here to offer a rebuttal.

It has been said one too many times, that he has been deeply affected by the tragic loss, of his father, 10 and a half years ago--and better yet, the accident that nearly took his life, seven years ago. What people don't seem to understand is the fact that while this race car driver is the most popular, he is also a human being.

I have heard the statements made from Kyle Petty, that he lacks focus, because Dale Earnhardt Jr, jokingly stated that he was more worried about his fantasy football standings, over where he was in the points. This is coming from a race car driver who won eight races in twenty years. I would have to say that the pot, is rather capriciously calling the kettle black. Jimmy Spencer, and his crying towel has said the same thing. One race won under his belt. I don't know if it's jealousy, or something else, lacking in their lives, making for such loquacious statements.

The one that galled me the most, was this blog written in an open letter style, to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He said in not so many cognizant words, that he was, and I quote, "scared to race, because he fears death." My favorite, is that he had to get right with God, and find religion, to become a better racer. He brought up atheists, and them sticking to their beliefs, but they don't believe in any spiritual deities, at all.

Furthermore, the track record as of late has to do with parts failure, and inconsistencies by the crew chief. I.E: A loose wheel in Dover, and in Charlotte, as well as inconsistent pit strategy by the crew chief. These things are human error, done by the left and right rear tire changer.

Up until Michigan, Dale Earnhardt Jr was in the top 5 in points before that race. By the way, here's what happened:

In Michigan, Dale was running in the top ten, when Mark Martin squeezed him to the wall, costing him a decent finish. A DNF in Sonoma was caused by, you guessed it, Tony Stewart wrecking Brian Vickers. Dale was just in the wrong place in the wrong time. Daytona-- He was wrecked by the 1 car, as they came across the line, thus him finishing 19th. Kentucky, that car was never on the positive side. All of Hendrick Motorsports' cars did not finish well on that track.

To continue, in Loudon he finished 15th. Indianapolis, 16th. That was when the adjustments, made for a tight car, and it wouldn't turn going into the corner. You know how tight the summer heat can make a car. You also know how a slick race track can get your car into the wall.

In Pocono, Dale Earnhardt Jr picked up where he left off, before Michigan, with a ninth place finish. He drove like as aggressive that day, as I've ever seen him. Since then, I haven't seen anything different about the way he races. He can only race a loose car one way, and that's forward. He can only race a tight car, another way, and that's backwards. Or at least it used to be. I've seen him sling a tight, yet drivable car to the low side, and the middle groove, to pass cars. He's made it work for him, because, again, he's had previous experience. They've often called Dale the best at driving junk. He went all of last year with no DNFs. He and Matt Kenseth were the only drivers to do so. Even defending champion Jimmie Johnson, can't hold that esteemed record.

In Richmond, he was wrecked on lap 8, and the driver, crew chief and crew, came together as a team, to get that wrecked car competitive. He got angry enough at Travis Kvapil, to put him in the wall. For the people who say he doesn't drive like his father, well there's your answer to that. His father raced hard, but clean, unless someone upset him. He finished 16th-- Happily making the chase.

Dale had a load of experience with cars that drive like heaps, in the last couple of years, thanks to the undesired tutelage of one Lance McGrew. That can kill anyone's confidence. Just to say Mark Martin is 20th in points right now. Five positions shy of where Dale ended the season, last year.

In retrospect, I ask the media, and blowhard fans alike--before you make snap judgments, about who he needs to "be right with," take a look at the stats, and the facts of the year, before you tell someone how they need to live, or run their career. It seems to be suiting Dale Earnhardt Jr just fine, living a life, according to his rules. Isn't that what we all desire?

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.-- Out of the Ashes Rises the Phoenix.

2011-07-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

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.

Dale Earnhardt Jr --Sonoma Preview:

2011-06-21T16:22:00.000-07:00

MOST RECENTLY AT INFINEON: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, matched his career-best finish last year at Infineon Raceway. He picked up 10 positions in the closing 28 laps to cross the finish line 11th. Earnhardt also finished 11th in 2003 and 2004.

EARNHARDT AT INFINEON: Earnhardt has scored five top-15 finishes in 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Infineon Raceway. He has completed 98.1 percent of all the laps he's attempted (1,196 laps of 1,219 total) at the Sonoma, Calif., road course.

POINTS AFTER MICHIGAN: After finishing 21st last weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Earnhardt remains third in the Sprint Cup championship standings. He trails leader Carl Edwards by 27 points, and sits seven points behind second place Kevin Harvick. After 15 races this season, Earnhardt has scored three top-five finishes, eight top-10s, earned one pole position and led 42 laps.

CHASSIS CHOICE: This weekend, crew chief Steve Letarte and the No. 88 team will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-601. Jeff Gordon most recently raced this chassis to a 10th-place finish at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in August last year.

HENDRICK AT SONOMA: In Sprint Cup competition at Infineon Raceway, team owner Rick Hendrick holds track records in the following categories: victories (six), top-five finishes (25), top-10s (35), pole positions (nine) and laps led (572). Gordon owns five of Hendrick Motorsports wins at Infineon, while Jimmie Johnson earned the most recent victory there last year.

APPROACHING 200: With Gordon's win at Pocono Raceway this month, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 197 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR's modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.

FOR THE KIDS: Members of the No. 88 team will visit The Petty Family's Victory Junction camp on Tuesday to spend some time with the campers and participate in the camp's NASCARnival night summer events. As part of the evening, team members will demonstrate pit stops with the campers' participation.

Quotes

DALE EARNHARDT JR., DRIVER, NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET (ON INFINEON.): "We ran really good there last year and finished 11th. I like Sonoma but it's tough. Steve (Letarte) and Jeff (Gordon), there is a lot of talent there on road courses to lean on. I'm pretty confident with the setup we've got for this weekend. I've got some of the best road course racers as teammates, so we should be pretty good."

--Courtesy HMS PR

The Goody's 500 -- Martinsville: The First Race Experience

2011-06-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

To begin with, I never thought I'd attend one, in person. It seemed always out of my reach--whether it was geography, or lack of funds. Both at one point came into play. It was so close, yet so far away. Yet, somehow, suddenly a ticket landed in my lap, thanks to a wonderful person, whom I hope to thank one day.

The weeks building up to the Goody's 500 were surreal at best. Everything seemed to fall into place. I even managed to have enough funds for my friend to have a ticket, and a track pass, to walk around with. I also somehow managed to have enough funds for the Fan Zone, where lo and behold, my favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., would be interviewed on stage. That was the most surreal fifteen minutes of my life.

I'll only share this: pictures and the television do not do the man justice. He is incredibly shy and humble. He loves music, among other things. He talked at length about the ebb and flow of how music has played a major part of his life. After that, the fans got into it after we were all but cajoled into shouting "A win!" for that day's race. It was a dream experience that I'm not quite sure I'm awake from, yet.

After that, I was suddenly inside the track, on the very pavement that 43 drivers would be racing. I seemed to have been walking in a fog, around the front stretch of the track, and seeing the cars already lined up, to go. Getting this close to everything was again, surreal. I got within a couple feet of the 88 car, and many others. Everyone seemed to be the most interested in Dale Earnhardt, Jr's car. You had to make your way around people just to get a view of it. There were many of his fans there. I'd say one out of four fans were sporting 88 gear. Also, meeting other fans, who I will say are hardcore to the very least, was great, too. There are many good people in NASCAR Nation. They're friendly to those who are fans of other drivers. It's almost family like, the atmosphere that this nation exudes. No one seems to heckle each other in the stands either. At least they weren't where I was sitting. They're all about their driver when the race starts.

At one point, my friend wanted to go to the tweetup. However I was exhausted from the lack of sleep, mixed with adrenaline from being there. I figured a Martinsville hot dog would help matters, but I took a bite out of it, and it was pretty bad. So, I settled for a cheeseburger instead. I finally found my seat, which had an incredible view of the entire track, along with Dale's pit box.

As the hour lagged on, I got to meet a few of the people sitting around me. Surprisingly there weren't many other Dale Jr fans in my area of the stands. I seemed to be in a bubble by myself. From my point of view, they were down lower, and in other areas of the stands. The atmosphere was mostly quiet, waiting and anticipatory. The track announcer, was doing his business, and some of the feed from SPEED was ending up on the monitor on the scoring tower.

Soon driver introductions started, and it was quite interesting to see who got booed the loudest, and cheered the most. It wasn't any surprise that Dale Earnhardt, Jr got the loudest cheers, and that Driver 18 got the loudest of boos. Jimmie Johnson was a surprise at the same noise level of boos. No one really stood up and saluted any of the drivers, as they went by on the parade lap, like they did in Charlotte. After that, the usual business carried on, like what you see on television. I think NASCAR puts time gaps for the commercials on TV, with all of the prerace festivities. It was a good while between the driver intros, to the prayer and the anthem. I got to watch Dale and Rick Hendrick having laugh with each other, and Jimmie come by to poke at his bosses' ribs.

With the anthem over, and the flyover done, it was time to get those engines started. The roar of 43 cars at full song, is incredibly gripping, and it made for a bone rattling chill up your spine. There is no other feeling like it in the world. I sat for the most part and watched what everyone did. They were pretty upset when NASCAR wouldn't dare bring out a caution, for debris in the marbles of turn one. They did however come pick it up, when the 56 and 4 took a header into the wall of turn four. It seems to me NASCAR is very selective in throwing debris cautions, now.

As the race went on, I sat there, watching the race, tired as hell, and maybe a little bored in some places. Then I started watching Dale Jr's car come up off of the turn into 2, much like he does now. The car just got better and better as the race went on. Steve seems to know how to hook it up into the corners, where it has this incredible drive off. I saw the same thing in Charlotte, into 3 and 4, as well as yesterday. He would catch other cars in the middle of the corner.

The fans went wild when Dale Jr took the lead with 20 to go. No one was in their seat. They were cheering, moving their hands in the direction where he was going to go forward, and get a run and a lead. I was excited to the point where I was jumping up and down, when he took the lead. I was aghast that he was going to win the very first race I attended. I wasn't let down when it didn't happen. But I was elated that he came so close.

From that race on I still hold the belief that Dale Earnhardt, Jr, and Steve Letarte have what it takes to win the championship this year. Both of them are sharp as a tack when it comes to their jobs. I hope the team blisters on.

Dale Earnhardt Jr Kansas Preview:

2011-05-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

Preview: NSCS Kansas Preview: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Venue: Kansas Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
Event: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (Race 13 of 36)

News & Notes

AT KANSAS: In 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has recorded one pole position and four top-10 finishes. He has completed 97.1 percent of all the laps he's attempted (2,536 laps of 2,613 total) at the 1.5-mile racetrack. The 36-year-old driver has led a total of 81 laps there.

POINTS AFTER CHARLOTTE: After finishing seventh last week at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Earnhardt remains fourth in the championship standings. He trails leader Carl Edwards by 43 points.

CHASSIS CHOICE: This weekend at Charlotte, crew chief Steve Letarte and the No. 88 crew will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-657. Earnhardt last raced this chassis at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in May to a 14th-place finish.

LAPS IN THE TOP 15: Earnhardt, driver of the No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, ranks fifth among drivers for laps run in the top 15 during the 2011 season. Earnhardt has spent 64.6 percent of all laps (2,638 of 4,081 laps) in the top 15 per NASCAR's loop statistics.

INTERMEDIATE TRACK STATS: In 198 Cup starts on intermediate (one- to two-mile) tracks, Earnhardt has recorded six wins, six pole positions, 38 top-five finishes and 74 top-10s. He has a 16.3 average starting position and an average finishing position of 17.3 on these racetracks.

HENDRICK AT KANSAS: In the 10 Cup races that have been held at Kansas, Hendrick Motorsports has scored three wins, 12 top-five finishes and 20 top-10s in 43 starts at the 1.5-mile speedway. Jeff Gordon has two of those victories and is ranked tied for first in the win column. He leads all other drivers with seven top-five finishes and eight top-10s.

CHEVROLET AT KANSAS: Chevrolet has reached Victory Lane in six of the 10 Cup events at Kansas, and Hendrick Motorsports has accounted for half of those victories. Jimmie Johnson scored Hendrick Motorsports' most recent win at the 1.5-mile speedway in 2008.

APPROACHING 200: With Johnson's win on April 17 at Talladega, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 196 Cup victories. The organization ranks first in NASCAR's modern era for wins and second all-time behind Petty Enterprises, which has 268 victories.

Quotes

DALE EARNHARDT JR., DRIVER, NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET (ON WHAT IT TAKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT KANSAS.): "Kansas is a tough track, but I enjoy running there. It is getting slick down in (Turns) 3 and 4 and off of Turn 2. Just trying to get good forward bite out of the corner without getting the car too tight in the middle -- that's the key."

STEVE LETARTE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 88 AMP ENERGY/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET (ON WORKING WITH DALE EARNHARDT JR. THIS SEASON.): "Dale has brought a fresh breath, a fresh voice, a fresh approach to our race team. There was nothing wrong with Jeff Gordon. Sometimes change is necessary, and I think Dale Jr. has brought that change to this race team. We are starting to approach tracks a little more open minded, a little more flexible then what we planned on running. Honestly, his driving style is more similar to Jimmie's (Johnson) than Jeff's and we've been able to lean on the (No.) 48 team more. Their notebook is a very good one to dig through, and that has probably helped us the most this year."

LETARTE (ON WHAT TRACKS HELP THE NO. 88 TEAM PREPARE FOR KANSAS SPEEDWAY.): "Kansas is the first of the lower-banked, mile-and-a-half tracks. Kansas is hard to prepare for based on anywhere we've run so far this year. It's a little like (Las) Vegas. It's a little like Texas. It's a little like California. It's not completely like any of the three. Kansas will prepare you for Michigan and Chicago. It's not really like any where we've been so far, but I think you will find that the cars that were fast at Charlotte (N.C.) and Texas will be fast there."

--Courtesy of HMS PR