Chaotic Week Brings Tragedy And End Of An Era
Sunday, July 15th, 2007 2:12pm CDT
By Luke, Thunder Lounge
Published on Thunder Lounge.
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Dr. Bruce Kennedy, husband of International Speedway Corp. President and NASCAR Board Member Lesa France Kennedy; Michael Klemm, a senior captain with NASCAR Aviation; as well as a reported 3 other people on the ground tragically lost their lives when the plane carrying Dr. Kennedy and Michael Klemm crashed shortly after takeoff in a Sanford, Fl neighborhood. Coming on the heels of the recent loss (Jube 4th) of Bill France Jr, Lesa’s father, again the NASCAR world was rocked with tragedy. The thoughts and prayers of the Thunder Lounge go out to all those who have been tragically involved in this incident, and we wish for a speedy and full recovery for those who were injured.
The reports made state than an off-duty Lake Mary firefighter was the first on the scene, and without any protective equipment whatsoever dashed in to begin rescue efforts. The firefighter ended up being treated for smoke inhalation.
It was announced this past Friday that indeed Budweiser will not be able to follow Dale Earnhardt Jr. over to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008. This seems to be because of conflicts with existing Hendrick sponsorship commitments. One interesting note is that for whatever reason Gatorade cannot be associated with an alcoholic beverage sponsor. Which has fueled speculation that Pepsi, and/or one of it’s other brands like Mountain Dew, will most likely be the new sponsor.
Originally, Dale Junior also had a personal services contract with Bud, which went through 2008. However, reports state that that contract will expire after 2007.
What comes into question now is the status and importance of the #8. Without the Bud brand behind it, does that make it any less important in being a part of the “New Junior” in 2008? I don’t personally think so, as while it isn’t as apparent anyone can read between the lines and see that Hendrick has probably known about the Budweiser conflict for a while now, and also that the time it took for them to confirm it was most likely due to working with them to relieve Junior’s obligations for 2008.
While Bud has been on the hood of many a driver over the years, one could easily argue that none were as prestigious at the time as Dale Earnhardt Junior has been over all. So now closes the end of the Junior and Bud era, and in comes yet more change to the NASCAR landscape. It happens, but this is one of the most visible changes to the “outside world” that has ever taken place in the history of NASCAR.
Casey Mears will be leading the field to the green later this afternoon, as he grabbed the pole at Chicago with a 29.580 lap at 182.556mph. It was his third career pole, and first since Indy a scant 3 years ago.
For that weekly battle, here’s how it shaped up:
- Made it in:
- #22 Dave Blaney
- #15 Paul Menard
- #21 Bill Elliott (Provisional used)
- #36 Jeremy Mayfield
- #00 David Reutimann
- #49 Chad Chaffin
- #55 Michael Waltrip
- #4 Ward Burton
- Packed it up:
- #10 Scott Riggs
- #83 Brian Vickers
- #44 Dale Jarrett
- #84 A.J. Allmendinger
- #37 Kevin Lepage
- #78 Kenny Wallace
Filed Under: Casey Mears, Chicagoland, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Drivers, Nascar, Tracks
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