DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 DIET MOUNTAIN DEW/NATIONAL GUARD CHEVROLET, met with members of the media at Daytona International Speedway and discussed how Danica has improved his team, how he feels coming into the season and his chances of winning this year’s 500.
SO ARE YOU GOING TO WIN THE 500? “Man we are going to try.”
IS IT TO THE POINT NOW WHERE’S IT’S A LEGITIMATE ONE IN 43 SHOT FOR EVERYBODY? “Oh yeah. Everybody I think. At least 35 have a good shot at it.”
AFTER TREVOR (BAYNE) WON IT DID THAT CHANGE THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT IT REALLY WAS AN OPEN FIELD? “No, I kind of knew it was a lottery for a while. Take nothing against Trevor I mean he did what he had to do to win the race. He made some great moves and won that race on his own. He was very smart about how he drove his car. You just don’t know who is going to come off of turn four battling for this thing anymore like before. When Dale Jarrett was in the No. 88, you knew they were going to be strong. You can guess this that and the other and make some predictions that would always come true but now not so much.”
YOU WERE PRETTY FRUSTRATED WHEN YOU LEFT HERE IN JULY WITH THE RACING, ARE YOU ENCOURAGED WITH THE THOUGHT IT COULD BE LESS TANDEM? “I’m encouraged with the work we tried. I don’t mind failing but I was happy that we tried and made a lot of changes to try to fix it and try to change it and try to get some things back in the driver’s hands.”
DO YOU THINK IT WILL WORK THOUGH? “Well I won’t know until this weekend is over with or I won’t know until the Daytona 500 is over with if we worked hard enough.”
WILL IT BE A BIGGER WIN FOR YOU IN THE 500 OR DANICA? “Me, me! She doesn’t drive for me in the 500 so it wouldn’t matter to me if she won it. If I win it, it would be a big deal for me! As far as what everybody else thinks, everybody is going to have a different opinion about that.”
HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THAT SHE ACTUALLY BRINGS TO THIS RACE BEYOND THE MARKETING THING? “I don’t know.”
THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HER AS DRIVER AS OPPOSED TO LETTING HER HERE BECAUSE IT’S A GREAT MARKETING BONANZA FOR THE SPORT. “I think she does great driving. I’ve watched her in the Nationwide Series and thinks she does a great job. People may need to watch more Nationwide races. People comment without having any knowledge. They can make ignorant statement just based on what they want to believe. What they want to accept and not accept. I’ve watched her race and I think she does great and I’ve enjoyed watching her race. She made my team better and I didn’t even think about that. We’ve been asking the question for so many months of what she would do for this sport and what has she done for the sport but one of the things I didn’t anticipate was how she made my team better. As a person she’s good to be around. She’s engaging and fun for Tony (Eury) Jr. and the team to be around. They enjoy going to the track with her and working with her. So my company improved working with her. We didn’t take a step back. As the year went on our company progressed. So that was great. I was real happy about that because I own the thing.”
WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT HER BEHIND THE SCENES THAT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW OR THAT YOU FIND PERHAPS SURPRISING? “I don’t have anything. She goes to the race track and races. I don’t really dig into her personal life. Nothing about her was an ‘oh shit’ moment for me, it was just she’s seems normal, she works hard, she shows up to race, there’s nothing about her that’s quirky or weird, different or surprising to me. I kind of knew her a little bit before and its basically what I imagined it was as far as being around her more often once I got to be around her a little more and what was she really like as a driver and how dedicated and focused she was. She’s pretty intense.”
HOW DO YOU FEEL COMING INTO THIS SEASON? “I feel pretty good. I’m frustrated that we didn’t win last year, we came close. I’m ready to get back to that. I’m ready to get chances again. I want to win a race pretty bad but I can’t do that without racing and we haven’t been doing any so it’s been a little frustrating. Daytona, this is probably the worst odds for me all year because of the way the racing is here. This is going to be a fun experience but I’m looking forward to getting to Phoenix and the rest of the tracks to start really getting control of my destiny and trying to make some things happen for me and win some races.”
ANY CHANCES THIS CAN BE A SINGLE-FILE RACE? “No.” WHY NOT? “Because everybody is going to be on top of each other. It just won’t happen. The track, it just won’t happen no way. I will be so, so, so surprised if that is what ends up happening.”
DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE TWO-CAR DRAFT? “No, I don’t know. I don’t know if tandem is going to work or not. I know we tested; tandem’s was hard to do. It was doable but it was hard to do and you run hot. Guys went home and studied. I’m sure people did their homework and some people figured some things out. So some people will probably get the tandem to work again and it will be lights out and they will be gone.”
THIS PLACE HAS BEEN SO SPECIAL FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, DOES IT LOSE ITS LUSTER A LITTLE BIT WITH THE RACING THE WAY IT IS NOW, YOU TALKED ABOUT BEING READY TO GO TO PHOENIX ALREADY? “That’s not what I said; this race is going to be fun. This weekend will be enjoyable but I am looking forward to going to Phoenix because I know I have better odds of winning there. That’s what I meant. I look forward to going to tracks where I’m driving the car, where I can make a difference. I don’t know what is going to happen in the Daytona 500, I don’t even have a clue what the race is going to be like now and that’s frustrating but that’s just the way it is. We’ll go through Shootout practice tomorrow and get the chance to practice a little bit and see what works and doesn’t work. Then we’ll run the Shootout and really see some people play their hand and see what we’re capable of doing and after that race we’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect the rest of the week. Right now I have no knowledge and it’s frustrating as a driver to go in a situation like that. Everything we’re going to have to learn, we’re going to have to learn really fast in just a few hours of practice. Just waiting to get that going, waiting to get that practice started and see what kind of racing we are going to be doing.”
IS THAT SOMEWHAT STRANGE FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU USED TO COME DOWN HERE AND EVERYBODY TALKED ABOUT YOU BEING A DRIVER TO BEAT HERE AND NOW LIKE YOU SAID ITS LIKE A CRAP SHOOT? “That’s just the way it is. We did a lot of work this off season. To NASCAR’s credit they’ve been working really hard trying to put it back into the driver’s hands and give the driver’s control of their destiny instead of pairing up and having to take care of each other out there on the race track all the time. You want to be stubborn and looking out for yourself only, that’s how you want to do it so they are trying to go in that direction. I give them a lot of credit for trying really hard and hopefully we made a lot of good changes so we will see. Everybody is really gotta be anticipated, it’s got to be exciting for everybody, fans, media anticipate what’s going to happen tomorrow and the Shootout Saturday night. There should be a lot of people glued to the action.”
YOU MENTIONED HOW DANICA HAD IMPACTED YOUR TEAM IN A POSITIVE WAY, HOW DO YOU SEE HER IMPACTING THE NATIONWIDE SERIES AS A WHOLE IS THERE ANY SORT OF AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT MAYBE SOME TEAMS ARE GOING TO GET BECAUSE SHE IS RACING FULL-TIME THERE? “I don’t know. I’m sure she brings exposure and exposure will get the notice of corporate America and pay pull a few triggers but I don’t really know. It’s a good thing; it’s not a bad thing. Obviously everybody knows it’s that but I don’t know how you measure something like that.”
IN YOUR OPINION THE RACING IN THE DAYTONA 500 WILL HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS IF … “If it’s like anywhere from like the 2000, look at all the Gatorade races from 2001 and 2 002, 2003, those races were awesome. That’s the kind of racing we want.”
IF YOU HAD KNOWN THIS WAS THE KIND OF RACING WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN WITH THE TRACK REPAVING WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN SO VOCAL ABOUT THE TRACK GETTING REPAVED? “Yeah, Carl Edwards was right. He’s the one that said they shouldn’t repave it. Maybe they should have just fixed a few spots. I didn’t like it as rough as it was but I really, really loved the lack of grip. I wouldn’t have minded it being smoother. They changed the ratio of the mix and when they come down here, not only when you pave on the Eastern Seaboard you get a lot of seashells. Darlington used to use a lot of seashells and Rockingham would too. They changed the ratio and they put rubber and stuff in asphalt now and all kinds of different things to make it really last a long time. That Charlotte track kind of scares me because they paved it a while ago and it’s still like it’s freshly paved. It hasn’t worn, it’s not gotten slicker and that worries me a little bit.”
FOR THIS PLACE? “For every place they pave. What if none of them wear out, that won’t be good at all.”
BESIDE FROM WINNING, WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SHOWING YOUR HAND IN THE SHOOTOUT? “You’ve got to point. Some people probably won’t show their hand in practice. Practice might be just a small taste of what is going to happen. I think in the Shootout it will matter enough to everybody. Once you get out there and you get the drivers out there, nobody is going to hold back. Nobody is going to put anything in their pocket and save it. We’re all pretty ignorant out there, we want to win. We want to do whatever it takes to win and you forget about who is watching, who is listening and all that stuff. Maybe your crew chief might not put things on your car that don’t need to be on there for that race that he might save for the 500, that might be smart for your crew chief but they are smart enough to do that. But the drivers are going to show whatever they can do.”
IF YOU KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN HOLD BACK, YOU CAN POTENTIALLY KEEP IT FOR THE 500, THE SHOOTOUT IS JUST AN EXHIBITION RACE, WON’T DRIVERS SAY TO THEMSELVES HEY I’M GONNA KEEP SOMETHING IN MY POCKET? “I don’t know man because we want to win the race. I don’t know man. Too much ego, I don’t know. You get out there and you want to win, everybody’s watching. It’s a show you know.”
WE TALKED SATURDAY BEFORE QUALIFYING IN TALLADEGA AND YOU MENTIONED YOU WANTED TO GET IT BACK IN YOUR HANDS AND YOU WANTED TO BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR DESTINY THEN YOU GO OUT IN THAT RACE AND YOU AND JIMMIE GET WAY BACK IN THE PACK, DID YOU BECOME EVEN MORE VOCAL WITH NASCAR AFTER THAT HAPPENED AS FAR AS DOING SOMETHING TO CHANGE THAT? “I don’t remember getting vocal with NASCAR. I told Mike (Helton) if they every did go to test to work on things aside from just testing tires that I wanted him to know that I was volunteering to go, wanting to be one of the teams to be a part of it. If they would think about me if they did that, I would appreciate it and they did. They offered us the opportunity to come so we wanted to come down here. I don’t think I was too vocal I think I just reached out and let them know I was available.”
WILL WE SEE TANDEM WAY BACK LIKE THAT AGAIN OR CAN YOU NOT DO THAT ANY MORE? “I don’t know how the race is going to be. I don’t want to make any guesses because I don’t have a clue. I’m sure as long as you can draft guys will lay back. As long as the draft works, guys will lay back and save their cars. Some will probably still do that.”
AS FAR AS THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN NASCAR IN THE LAST DECADE, RULES AND EQUIPMENT CHANGES, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IN THE LAST DECADE? “Does the COT count? That change right there was phenomenal what it did for the sport.”
AS FAR AS YOU BEING AN OWNER DOES THAT CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK AT ALL-ON RACING OR LIFE?“Being an owner, sure. I think it makes you respect things more. Respect your crew and what they go through, individuals. You become more respectful of all the individuals that put your car together and work on your cars because you get a little better view on it and see it from a different angle.”
WHAT DOES KASEY KAHNE BRING TO HENDRICK? “I think it’s more important what Kenny (Francis) brings to Hendrick. Kasey is a great driver and he’s going to come in here and do great things and have probably the best years of his career but his crew chief Kenny is a really smart guy and I think that’s where the difference is going to be as far as where the rest of the company will see advantages because he will bring a lot to the table. He’s a really smart guy.”
About Chevrolet
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
NASCAR Propels Giants to Super Bowl Victory (As Do The Rest Of The Plays In The Giants’ Arsenal)
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.
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.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Transcript: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Preseason Thunder Test Session, Day One
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.: 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.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Dale Earnhardt Jr --Champions Week in Review
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., 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.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. -- Just the Facts, Ma'am.
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?
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?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.-- Out of the Ashes Rises the Phoenix.
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Dale Earnhardt Jr --Sonoma Preview:
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
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
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