Daytona 500: 16 Days and Counting

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

• 2007 Stats

  • Organization: Dale Earnhardt Inc.
  • Car Number: 8
  • Crew Chief: Tony Eury Jr.
  • Sponsor: Budweiser
  • Points: 16th :: 3929 :: -2794
  • Starts: 36
  • Poles: 1
  • Wins: 0
  • Top 5’s: 7
  • Top 10’s: 12
  • Winnings: $5,221,970

• 2008 Preview

  • Organization: Hendrick Motorsports
  • Car Number: 88
  • Crew Chief: Tony Eury Jr.
  • Sponsor: AMP/National Guard

Well, it’s time to see how the biggest story of 2007 plays out. Put up or shut up. You get the idea.

What can be said, that hasn’t already graced the pages of every publication and blog that even comes close to NASCAR?

While testing can prove little, the numbers thus far are in a positive light as far as the equipment goes. Now it’s time to see if it can be used to its full potential. Some will say “I told you so”, but the question yet to be answered is which side of the fence that will come from.

His teammates are impressed. Impressed with his talent, his knowledge, and his personality as well. Dale Jr. doesn’t have to try to fit in, all he has to do is be himself. It seems like that’s the case thus far, and the rest of the stable seems glad to have him there. As with any work environment, if you can’t have some fun while you’re at it, it isn’t worth doing.

Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #88, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams





Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 16 Days and Counting

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday January 21, 2008
11:14pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Mark Martin

• 2007 Stats

  • Organization: Ginn/DEI
  • Car Number: 01
  • Crew Chief: Ryan Pemberton
  • Sponsor: US Army
  • Points: 27th :: 2960 :: -3763
  • Starts: 24
  • Poles: 0
  • Wins: 0
  • Top 5’s: 5
  • Top 10’s: 11
  • Winnings: $4,097,200

• 2008 Preview

  • Organization: DEI
  • Car Number: 8
  • Crew Chief: Tony Gibson
  • Sponsor: US Army

Mark Martin’s first part-time season was one littered with buzz and talk.

After coming out of the gates at Daytona, and subsequent races, the buzz was how could Mark walk away from his best start in years, and an obvious chance to competitively compete for the Cup. Yet, as he said all along, he watched Bristol from Florida, and kept true to his schedule.

Last summer, along with Regan Smith, he was the beneficiary of Ginn selling his operation to DEI. While other teammates were left in a lurch, Mark was (for obvious reasons) transferred to DEI ownership and the #01 kept right on rolling along.

Finally, last fall, the long anticipated answer to the question of “Who will replace Dale Jr?” was announced. Mark Martin, along with Aric Almirola for 12 events, would be behind the wheel of the #8 US Army Chevrolet.

Being honest here, it was one of the best things DEI could do. There are few names that could pilot that ride after Dale Jr’s exit, and Mark Martin is definitely towards the top of that short list. Mark has long been a fan favorite, with very few fans showing a dislike for him. This can only help to move the whole organization, as well as the #8 team, into the Junior-less era.

Note: information is accurate as of date published. Check Thunder Lounge for additional updates and information.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #01, Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Drivers, Ginn Racing #01, Mark Martin, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Teams





Trackback URL for: Daytona 500: 27 Days and Counting

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday September 13, 2007
4:11pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Yeah, we’re going to talk about Dale Earnhardt Jr. In response to this ESPN article by David Newton.

Mr. Newton pushes the “I believe” button on the matter of DEI and its engine program. Yes, they are now working with RCR in partnership on motors, but last I read those particular packages would not be in use until sometime in October.

This particular piece concludes that its DEI’s shop overall that is having issues with their motors, and that is why Dale Junior has subsequently blow up a whopping 5 times this summer.

Now, I’m not an engine expert. If I were, I wouldn’t be sitting here discussing it, I’d be building motors for one of the fine teams in this sport. However, I can read between the lines and see what’s in front of my face.

Through 26 events this season, here’s the scoop:

1. Both Dale Jr and Martin Truex blew up at Fontana in February.
2. Truex again had engine issues at Chicago. Exit Truex from this discussion.
3. Junior blew up at Texas (note, as things were definitely on their way out at DEI
4. Junior again blows up at Indy, Watkins Glen, and Richmond.

So since things started to really head south, you know they were in April and in May it was made public, Mr. Junior has consequently blown up 4 times as compared to a single failure for Truex.

Is there something wrong with this picture? I don’t think it’s exactly intentional, but hey, if you had 2 drivers and one of them wasn’t going to be around next season, would it be possible that just maybe you might push a little bit of the R&D envelope on their particular motors? Especially as the Chase tightens in, and you know that it’s pretty certain that the driver that’s sticking around is 9 times out of 10 going to make the Chase?

It leads one to wonder, no doubt.

Is it not also ironic that the troubles that have plagued the #8 team this season, comes back yet again to bite them in the butt with 3 laps to go at Richmond?

Could it be that maybe, just maybe, there was indeed some engine R&D rolling along, and knowing there was a chance of failure that the engines were passed to the #8 team to roll out with? More of a vindictive move to possible ensure that Dale Jr. didn’t make the Chase, and would lose some of the publicity that comes along with it?

I’m not going to tell you its true, as much as the Red Nation wants to hear it, but I will say that from the outside looking in on this situation that it’s leaving me scratching my head wondering what (if anything) could be going on here.

One can’t help but wonder if there might be a little bit of favoritism going on. If I were wearing a red t-shirt, I’d probably be more opinionated, but even keeping a neutral position on (most) drivers, this still has me scratching my head.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams, The Chase





Trackback URL for: David Newton Is Off His Rocker

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday June 12, 2007
6:43pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

If you feel Marty Smith, aka MartDawg, is a reliable source of information, than tomorrow at JR Motorsports at 11am EDT you’ll hear one Mr. Dale Earnhardt Junior announce to the world that he will be driving for none other than Hendrick Motorsports come 2008. Or maybe we should say that if you believe Marty’s sources are reliable. Well, this ain’t no “DilnerGate”.

Oh my… The horror, the torture you say. Heh, what-ever.

I think it’s cool. You thought Hendrick was already stinkin’ up the show? If Marty is indeed correct, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Talk about a Superstar lineup. Gordon, Johnson, Junior. Not to mention that Casey Mears will come into his own. He’ll get there.

What? Kyle? His contract does go through 2008! Well, at least apparently it did go through 2008. His “people”, namely his attorney, couldn’t comment.

Remember the little scenario game we played out a few weeks ago? Where we mentioned all kinds of possibilities? This was one of them, although admittedly I didn’t personally think it was a realistic one at the time.

If this proves to be true, Junior deserves the utmost respect for delivering on his promise to not only inform the public and his fans as soon as he knew something, but also for getting the job done ahead of schedule.

If this proves to be true, I think it’s cool. Junior will finally have the equipment he’s wanted for so long, and we’ll be able to see what he can do with it.

I guess whatever happens, happens. We’ll know all the details tomorrow morning folks.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #5, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams





Trackback URL for: How Reliable Is Marty Smith?

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday May 17, 2007
10:21am CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

While the Wood Brothers obviously have high hopes for young Jon, according to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal they are facing the hard facts of life.

Bring out of the top 35 in Owner’s points, they’ve struck a deal that will see “Awesome Bill From Dawsonville” make a brief return to the series. In a Ford, obviously, which he hasn’t done since he moved from his own Bill Elliott Racing over to the #9 for Ray Evernham.

He’ll start with the Coca-Cola 600 a week from Sunday, and has also filed entry for Dover the following week.

The obvious advantage: 6 guaranteed races. With Dale Jarrett having burned up all his freebies, Elliott will make the show.

Provided Elliott gets it back into the coveted Top 35, and there are provisionals remaining, he could very well be the safety net the Wood Brothers have needed. It’s a long way to the Top 35 though, so who knows.

Hello, Newman

While still under contract with Penske Racing South, through 2009, the Winston-Salem Journal seems to think that Newman could be looking for a new ride. This coming at the time the #12 Alltel Dodge Pit Crew was wrapping up a win over the #43 team in the Pit Crew Challenge. Needless to say, it probably isn’t going to get any better as we roll towards Homestead, with just a race over the 2/3 mark remaining in the season. Oh joy.

Get Your Junior Gear Here…

Also, according to the Associated Press, while the so-called “experts” believed there would be a dip in the sales of red merchandise to the Junior Nation, this has yet to happen. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Sales have skyrocketed 107%, according to the report, but who knows if this is temporary or will hold up. Either way, someone’s raking in some cash.

Wrapping it up

So now we’re prepping for the All-Star race this Saturday. The trucks are back on track Friday night, and in a new twist for Saturday the crew chiefs will be running little roadsters around the 1/4 mile front stretch track before the other festivities begin Saturday night. Heck, that might be a pretty cool little show.

6 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Bill Elliott, Charlotte/Lowe's, Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Penske Racing #12, Ryan Newman, Teams, Tracks, Wood Brothers #21





Trackback URL for: Thursday Catch-Up: Elliot, Newman, And Some Other Items

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Thursday May 10, 2007
12:33pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Dale Junior will not be racing under the DEI banner come 2008. To be honest, this shouldn’t be a big surprise.

Dale Earnhardt Jr did not say where he was heading, or what he would be doing starting next season. Only that he will not be returning to DEI

Dale Jr wants to drive for a top tier team, would then consider a second tier team. Finally, it would be the last option to create his own team but if need be they have the time to do it.

Dale Jr says that his vision and DEI’s visions were the same in the long term. [Duh. Win races and Championships.] What the big issue was was how to get there. At 32, Dale said this was the age that his father made his final career decision. Junior projected the impression that he knew it was time to crap or get off the pot.

Junior did not knock DEI. He feels very strongly about the company, and that yes it will become the Championship capable organization his Dad envisioned. Problem being that it’s going to take a few years, the right people, and the right decisions to get it there. Something that he just didn’t feel he could wait on if you read between the lines.

Speaking of reading between the lines, it really seems the big sticking issue was ownership. He said that while the effort was 10 times what it had been in previous contract negotiations, they just couldn’t come to terms. He didn’t want to discuss technical details, but he did say that the two parties offers/desires weren’t even close.

Dale Jr also said that he had sought advice from many people about this, and he even called Darrell Waltrip last night and asked him to fly in to the shop this morning to help calm him down in this difficult decision. DW was present, for the record.

You know, they always say that NASCAR is one big family. DW, love him or not, showed by his actions that this is still true today. Also furthering this was that Junior said he had talked to a lot of friends, from the top of NASCAR, to owners like Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress, to other drivers like Dale Jarrett, Jeff [Gordon], and Bobby Labonte. On the track it one thing, but off the track there is still that big sense of family.

Before we get into more opinion, the rest of the facts presented are this.

Dale Junior is on the table here. No other persons are involved. Not Martin Truex Jr, nor Tony Eury Jr. Junior says that those folks and the folks on his team will make their own decisions, and that he will support them 100 percent.

Dale Jr is not interested in expanding JR Motorsports to support him, either in Busch or Cup. He wants to be the Cup driver, not the Cup owner moving forward. Although he did say it was an option if need be.

He does not know where he will be going. The only reason for this big announcement was that they knew that a decision of this magnitude would not be kept secret for long, and they wanted to keep the rumors out of the media. Not only for the fans, but for the team and the sponsors as well.

Junior did not say if any sponsor would follow him. There still needs to be talks in regards to that.

Also discussed was his car number, ol’ number 8. He admitted that would most likely stay at DEI, that he would try to work something out, but it wasn’t likely.

He also said that he was going to listen to anyone who wanted to talk, but also said he preferred it was a Chevy. Not necessarily because of Chevy’s dominance, but that he just feels more comfortable in a Chevy.

Again, he said he has nothing on the table for 2008, yet.

So that’s the basics of it, in a nut shell. He said a lot, answered a lot of questions and the whole event took almost an hour.

So now we know that he will not be returning to DEI, what’s the deal?

Obviously the reports of running for his own JR Motorsports team with Martin Truex are false. His leaning towards Hendrick were false. Confirmation of heading to RCR wasn’t given. He just simply doesn’t know.

Junior did talk directly to his fans though. He said he knew some of them would be ticked, but asked for their support as he made this decision in regards to his driving career. Thinking he has let the Junior Nation down, by not being in the position in his career to bring home that big Cup trophy.

Heck, I won’t lie. I think Junior is making the decision that is best for himself, his career, and his family. Exactly what he said he wanted to do. It was a good decision, thus far. And I think part of it is that he wants to become his own entity. Not driving for his Dad’s team, and having an occasional press jockey attack his credibility as having a free ride. He wants to drive on his own merit, and prove himself at a new level.

From here, there are tons of options. He said he would listen to anyone that wanted to talk. I’m sure Mikey’s blowing up the lines at the moment, but let’s face reality here. Jr loves Chevy’s. He even said recently that it would take a huge pile of money to get him out of one, the likes of which aren’t present in NASCAR. Which, essentially, is saying you can’t buy me out of a Bow Tie.

With that in mind, what are the options here?

Speed began floating the rumor that Gibbs isn’t happy with the 18, and may be looking to make changes. Great, here goes Silly Season into full swing now. JJ out a Gibbs, Jr in? So and so might be out, Jr in? They’re coming. You know they are. We’ll just have to deal with it.

Junior said his first option would be a top tier team. OK, there are 3 top tier Chevy teams. RCR, Hendrick, and Gibbs.

Hendrick:

• Already at 4 teams
• All drivers signed through at least 2008

Gibbs:

• Stewart and Hamlin not going anywhere
• Speeds pushing a rumor about the #18 already
• Gibbs only has three cars, one below the limit

Richard Childress Racing:

• Only has three of 4 cars allowed
• Solid off track relationship
• Deal would be “as easy as a handshake”
• All the things Jr is looking for, would be offered (support, etc)

So from those comparisons, facts only, only Gibbs or RCR has an apparent available opening.

From the second tier teams, other than DEI, there is Ginn Racing. They only have two cars full time, and an occasion third as Smith competes on occasion when Mark is in the #01. Spot open, but the competition side doesn’t look as appealing as RCR or Gibbs. Granted, Mark Martin could be up towards the top if he wasn’t taking so many “vacations”. But, that’s what Mark wanted and his sticking to it had to be tough when Bristol was coming up.

Who else is really out there? Hall of Fame Racing? An option, and I’m sure Aikman would need new drawers if Junior said OK. But, while the team and effort over there may produce a good environment, competition is sub-par at best. Junior said DEI would take longer than he wanted to wait, at this point without being the Head Honcho, so HoF isn’t really realistic either.

Could something be worked out where Hendrick does everything for the cars, but the banner is still Ginn? An under the table deal, if you will? Literally, it could probably be pulled off and written as an open door philosophy between the teams. But, let’s face it. The current dominant teams at Hendrick have been working together for a long while. They’ve been building for a long time, and they are reaping the benefits of a long line of people in the right place. Rick’s done it with his dealerships, and that same philosophy has served him well in NASCAR. The #25 being the exception, but it has a much higher turn-over rate thus far as compared to the other three teams. Building that success takes time, and not to mention it would be shady. Pushing the gray areas of the mysterious rule book it one thing. Publicly pushing the known four team rule would be suicide, and not something Rick Hendrick would ethically want to do. So, cut that option.

So, realistically, unless Dale Junior really wants to try and start his own effort or help someone start one, it’s Gibbs or RCR as the best looking options at this point. Granted, as Silly Season 2007 was officially kicked off at 11:am EDT this morning, who knows what could happen. If I were a betting man, I’d still put my money on RCR. But that’s my logic talking, and not Junior’s. Although he did say that it was a logical option.

I wonder if this perhaps wasn’t an opportunity to let other teams show him what they have to offer? He knows, while maybe not on paper, what he would have at RCR. Maybe he’s letting the other teams have a chance, and giving notice that if they can put something good on the table that they may have a shot? This way, he can make an informed career decision?

Final thoughts on this for now, even though I have a lot more swimming in the ol’ noggin’ right now, is this.

As past results have shown, when an announcement like this has been made, the remainder of the season has been less than stellar in terms of performance. Dale Jarrett, McMurray, Kurt Busch, and Sadler in recent years and many before then as well. Although, this whole announce sooner rather than towards the end of the season has become more prevalent in the last several years. Blame marketing on that one, as well as the even more urgent need to be competitive in the following season and the earlier you can start the better.

So, just moving up into the last Chase eligible spot after Richmond (13^th in owners points), what’s that going to do to the rest of the season?

On top of that, how do we know it wouldn’t have happened anyway? At least to some degree, anyway.

Junior says he knows the history of announcements like this, and is dedicated to his team and himself to mash the gas and race. Then again, that’s what all his predecessors making similar announcements have said as well. We’ll just have to see what happens.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams





Trackback URL for: Dale Earnhardt Junior Speaks: So Long DEI

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Wednesday May 9, 2007
1:33pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Wow. It’s Wednesday already! Between tornadoes, flash floods, and all the other stuff on my plate, where does the time go?

So there’s this “rumor” trying to be pushed by the Winston-Salem Journal, but I don’t see anyone really biting on it. Can’t say I blame them. After all, Dale Junior at Hendrick Motorsports? That’s a little far fetched.

Not saying it may not be true to some extent, but we’ll get to that.

For the record, the main points of this post will discuss the current contact negotiations, adding fuel to its fire with the DEI/RYR merger discussion reports, Junior’s future home, why Hendrick won’t be it, and where he may very well (and should) end up.

So here we go with more what if scenarios, about Junior and his contract negotiations. To further complicate the situation, and perhaps it makes matters worse, is the recent media blitz of the DEI/RYR talks about combining forces to fight the beast.

To even further heat it up, Robert Yates being a staunch Ford team, and DEI being up on their contract with Chevy. Ford won’t let RYR go, as RYR is a big piece of their engine puzzle. Pretty much, if you run a Ford you’re running a Roush-Yates engine. Something the Ford camp isn’t willing to sacrifice. Not to mention that Yates is Ford’s #2 rooster in the hen house. Not a bad spot to be in, under any manufacturer. Heck, even the power of Gibbs is third in the chain behind Hendrick and RCR. Granted, that isn’t saying much since there isn’t a really true pecking order, but you get the point.

Now to even further the fuel to the fire, standing at at least a 6 alarm call, is Dale Junior himself. He flat out said he’ll be driving a Chevy next season. Junior gets what Junior wants, else they who want Junior don’t get what they want. I guess being the name that he is carries that much weight, and it should unless he’s tearing up the motor coach after finding brown M&M’s in the bowl. Or maybe finding Bud Light instead of the real McCoy in the cooler, so to speak.

So this article, and one previously (that I don’t have the link to offhand at the moment) is trying to mention that Junior could potentially head to Hendrick’s umbrella. I think that is ridiculous. Their “source” claims he’s leaning towards Hendrick, after looking at what both Hendrick and RCR have to offer. I’m calling shenanigans, and a very clever media ploy. A media ploy to either put pressure on DEI, or throw the hounds off the trail and give them something to talk about. To me, the Hendrick rumor looks to be intentionally made into more than it is, for the sake of exposure and pressure.

I won’t say that it isn’t possible. Hell, anything is these days. If you told me 18 months ago that DJ would be in a Toyota, I’d have said you were nuts based on how tightly DJ was integrated into the Ford camp. So yeah, I’m not always right, but I can only call it like I see it at the time.

It is probably likely that indeed there has been talks with Hendrick. But look at what’s on the table right now. Hendrick has 4 teams already. They support MB2, for example, but can you see Junior going there even if it was in name only and Hendrick was doing all the work? Um, no. So Hendrick would have to bump someone from its current stable over to MB2. Not either of their Champs, so it would have to be Casey of Kyle. Think that will happen? It’s not a likely move.

Seen it speculated that he could move JR Motorsports up to Cup, but give me a break. Junior isn’t “dumb”, and knows that would be career suicide. Not that Dale Jarrett’s fans don’t love him, but do you think they like to see him running in the back or not at all? It takes a lot to run in Cup, and it would kill Junior’s hopes of a title.

Through it all, there is only one logical choice. I’ve said it before, again, and again. I’ll say it now, too.

Richard Childress Racing.

If Junior wants a Championship, that’s the only path to it.

Hendrick could do it, no doubt, but there just isn’t the room there. Their drivers are under contract, and Junior isn’t for 2008. Yet. The driver at Hendrick would have to “agree” to step over (in name, most likely) to one of the satellite teams. Can’t say any of them would be willing, knowing what they have right now might not be there.

Richard Childress Racing.

You want this sport to come to life, there you go. Dale Junior was destined for that spot at RCR from the time Dale signed with RCR “back in the day”.

Now let’s be reasonable here. This is becoming a big issue because of the notes about DEI and RYR having discussions. If Junior gets what he wants out of the contract, majority ownership of DEI, then it’s a moot point. There would most likely be no merger with RYR since they won’t be switching away from Ford.

Would they have to, and would DEI have to switch to Ford though? Maybe not. Enter the COT, CORN, or whatever you want to call it now.

There is even less of a manufacturer difference in it, and I’d be willing to bet that a Ford team and a Chevy team could work together on darn near everything, motors excluded. The question with that is, would the manufacturers bite off on it? If it means benefits all around, and keeping ahead of the eventual Toyota plan when it gets off the ground in upcoming years, they may if they see it as a big threat.

Dale said he wanted things wrapping up or wrapped up in May. The 600 will be over before you know it, and considering that Dale Junior had no idea that DEI was having discussions with Robert Yates Racing, what does that tell the public about DEI’s concern for the negotiations with Junior? True or not, it sends a message that they are already proceeding on their given path. This path being presented between the lines in the media doesn’t seem to include Junior. You would think that if they were going to give over the reins of DEI, that he would at least have been advised of the discussions, not blindsided by them.

In the end, there really is only one logical decision for Junior to make. Richard Childress has always had his back, and will no matter the decision. Tony Eury Jr. will get all the help and support he needs on his end, which he isn’t really getting now (unless Jr gets control and makes it happen), and Junior will get all the help and support he needs as a driver.

A red, and sometimes black, #3 Budweiser Chevy. Now won’t that bring up some emotions and make for some headlines? Dale Junior is the only one that could pull it off, and it would be one heck of a “feel good” story. Not to mention that it would literally be something that would make ya feel good. A Dale Earnhardt fan or not, and newbies don’t count, seeing Dale Junior pull out for the Bud Shootout in that car would be something spectacular.

Share your thoughts!.

Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams





Trackback URL for: Dale Junior And Hendrick? Gimmie A Break!

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Tuesday April 17, 2007
1:31pm CDT
Published on Thunder Lounge.

You know, some people out there are just plain idiots. We’re talking major, or wish they were major, media outlets and their ridiculous love affair with Dale Junior. They love to write about him, at times they love to hate him, then there are the times they want to bring out the big guns to pop a fly on the wall. It’s no wonder that half the crap you folks write is a distant memory by the time the ink dries on the worthless rags you write for.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a one-sided opinion on the Lounge, but every now and then a driver gets beat up in the press over something so stupid that we need to take a stance. Not to back away from a neutral position, but when something isn’t right, someone should say so. So we’ll continue.

What is the damn deal here with beating up Dale Earnhardt Jr. for hopping into the #5 of Kyle Busch to finish out the race at Texas last Sunday? It’s nothing but selfishly trying to grab a few readers, and smells worse than a rotten jar of Jay-Bee’s. Granted that jar of Jay-Bee’s still works, and maybe even better. Granted your readers ain’t biting on the stench you’re slinging out, unlike ol’ Mr. Whiskers that’ll snatch up the mouthful of Jay-Bee’s quicker than a Texas twister snatchin’ up some poor guy’s trailer.

Then there’s the folks that think Junior’s going to head to Hendrick just from jumpin’ in that seat. Come on people. Did common sense just walk out the door for a vacation? Hello, there’s no room there.

Here’s the plain and simple truth. Nothing more, nothing less.

A) Team Chevy. With a new kid on the block, every point counts. Granted it wasn’t a teammate by owner, but it sure was by manufacturer.

B) Junior’s got friends everywhere. You think they refer to the garage area as a big family for nothing? When someone needs help back there, and you can help, you do it.

C) Hello, Junior’s in a big contract negotiation if you haven’t heard already. Why pass up the opportunity to hop into someone else’s stuff, and see what it’s got? OK, so it was torn up. That’s OK though. Junior’s driven his stuff in a similar condition, and there are some comparisons which can be made. One of which that he commented on was how smooth the steering was, and he said he could tell it was a pretty hot car before the accident. There you have it. Now he knows a little bit, granted not a lot but a little bit, about some of the quality of equipment which isn’t from his current provider in DEI. Not talking teams and their effort, but the equipment results from having the backing, additional equipment, and R & D to put into the effort. By the way, Jr., I hear Cal Wells has got a Chassis Dyno up for grabs.

D) He’s a racer, and Ken Schrader always sums it up best when he tells the story about how you could put wheels on a popsicle stick (or hot dog) and these guys would be out there to race it.

That’s all there is to it, really. No need to whine, cry, or call Junior stupid because of “What if he misses the chase by 3 points behind Kyle Busch”, or “What if he misses the title by 3 points to Kyle Busch”, or any of that crap. And it is crap.

So next time you want to pick on someone, do for them screwing up. Don’t just sit there and jump all over someone for doing not only what was a favor and helping hand, but for doing what was right.

/rant

4 comments. Add your 2 cents!.

Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Hendrick Motorsports #5, Kyle Busch, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams, Texas, The Soapbox, Tracks





Trackback URL for: Back Off Junior’s Sack, Flacks…

By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Friday March 9, 2007
11:29am CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

Las Vegas is a pivot point, and incredibly important this season. More so than any season before it. Granted it’s more pivotal for some teams than others, but regardless of who you run for it still carries more weight than it had.

For starters, we have 18 teams this weekend trying to squeeze into 7 available spots. Yet again, there will be well funded teams that take a long ride back across the country to the shop a few days earlier than they had hoped for. Some of these teams haven’t made a race this season at all (Mayfield and Allmendinger for example), and some have made one of two (Vickers). Note, these are all Toyota teams, but there are other manufacturers in this boat as well. For all of these teams, Vegas is extremely crucial. Right now, the deficit to 35th in owners points is still in sight. After Vegas it will get wider, and wider after Atlanta, and will continue to grow. By the time we get to the end of April, if you have missed more races than not, you can probably kiss the top 35 luxury goodbye and hope for more success in 2008.

Not only for teams that have struggled to make the show, but it’s also crucial for teams which have had lackluster results in the previous two events. Stewart, Dale Jr, Dave Blaney, as well as many others that have had mixed results. Stewie is on the rebound after his DNF in the 500, and his 8th place finish at Fontana bumped him up to 21^st in points. Junior is still stuck back in 41^st (40^th in owners), but only 18 from the top 35.

Dale Jarrett has another problem. Right now he sits inside the top 35, but those don’t take effect until Martinsville. Jarrett has had to use 2 of his available 6 Past Champion Provisionals, and using 5 of them up front will endanger his team later on this spring if he has issues and some poor finishes.

So centering in the middle of the newly anointed Top 35 Fiasco™ is Las Vegas in all of its redesigned glory. If you wish to call it glory, which Tony Stewart doesn’t. Bringing along with it the drama of fighting for a secured starting spot, it’s pivotal.

If you make the show, for starters, you get a leg up on teams that didn’t. Take for example Brian Vickers, he missed the 500 but after making Fontana is 34th in the hunt for starting spots. Note that he gained 19 spots in the hunt. As the races wear on, gains like this aren’t going to be a reality. Right now, at Las Vegas, it’s still possible to get yourself into position. With the next 3 races even, it’s going to become a nightmare.

So here were are, and qualifying is approaching fast. If you’re comfortable right now, you can work a little harder on your race set-up and let the qualifying chips fall where they may. If you’re struggling to make the show, you’ll have to split your practice time to make sure you give yourself the best possibility to make the show. In turn, your race set-up is going to have less time under it, which usually results in less appealing race results. It ends up becoming a vicious cycle. You can’t get your race set-up better, because you miss out on the additional time that teams in the top 35 have the luxury of taking. So if you get into the show, you’re already behind no matter where you start. Cycle repeats. The saving grace is hopefully by the time Martinsville comes due, you’re in the top 35 and can build on it. If you’re close and on the edge, you may find yourself back on the outside of the fence come race day. A painful lesson to swallow, and one that will be leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of sponsors as well.

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Filed Under: Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Dale Jarrett, Drivers, Joe Gibbs Racing #20, Las Vegas, Michael Waltrip Racing #44, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Team RedBull #83, Teams, Tony Stewart, Tracks





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By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Monday March 5, 2007
4:38pm CST
Published on Thunder Lounge.

After what many would call a disappointing and disgusting start to 2007 for Dale Earnhardt Junior, while leaves him currently sitting in 40^th place in the points (41^st in owners points), he is actually looking forward to Las Vegas. The competition better take note of his enthusiasm as well.

According to a recent quote from Junior DEI has found the root of the problem, which has left Dale Jr sitting 40^th in the points after two events, and caused the loss of Junior’s motors. While he was running at Fontana prior to bowing out gracefully to the crowd, his machine was a pretty spiffy little hotrod that was able to run with Kenseth.

Where the competition should take note is that the same chassis will be rolling down the Interstate soon, and headed to Las Vegas.

If DEI has truly found the root of their engine troubles, and can keep it together for Las Vegas, you very well could see Junior in position to turn his season around post haste. He’s going to need it, and he knows it. There’s 500 miles at Atlanta coming, and 500 laps at Bristol as well. Right now he sits a scant 18 points out of 35^th place, but if the failures continue the gap will widen. Makes the 2/4/6 over at RCR look pretty inviting doesn’t it?

Ed Hinton summed it up very well last night on Wind Tunnel.

Dale Junior has given Teresa an ultimatum, and that ultimatum is now public. Junior won’t back down, but will she? If she doesn’t, get your tickets for the Daytona 500. It will be an environmental experience like none other. Earnhardt fan or not, the situation would be an incredible and riveting experience as the front part of the 8 is cut off and a new 3 emerges.

Teresa is in a position unlike any other she has ever been in. If she folds, she loses what she cherishes. Control. If she stands tall and firm, she stands to lose an entire operation as her cash cow walks out of the barn.

So now we come around full circle back to the recent engine woes of DEI. Teams indeed have such issues at one point or another. Roush, Hendrick, Childress, Gibbs, and the rest of the garage. It happens. It’s a part of the game. Heading into Las Vegas this weekend, however, the stakes couldn’t be higher for DEI and specifically Teresa Earnhardt. Continued failures make that open door at Homestead look even more inviting. It’s one where Dale knows he will contend for Championships. One where failure isn’t tolerated, and gets corrected. One where he knows his destiny lies, but how soon has yet to be determined.

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Filed Under: Dale Earnhardt Inc #8, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Las Vegas, Nascar, Nextel Cup, Teams, Tracks





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