As posted on Ben Maller's "NASCAR rumours" bit. Well, actually it's a snippet from the Melbourne Herald but I bet they didn't use that headline.
America's biggest motor sport star, Dale Earnhardt Jr, was the guest of honour at Phillip Island yesterday. Earnhardt is the most popular driver in NASCAR racing and earns more money than the entire V8 Supercar field combined. Sports Illustrated magazine estimated his 2007 earnings at more than $50 million. But unlike the media circus that surrounded David Beckham's recent visit to Australia, Earnhardt was able to slip under the radar. The only people clamouring to meet the racing celebrity were the V8 Supercar drivers and team managers as he walked down pit lane.
I am struggling to see why that headline is warranted to be honest.
Jr said he wanted to go and see a V8 Supercar round while he was is Aussie...in fact, he said he's a fan of it and loved seeing them live. I pointed that out yesterday in my 'Deja Vu' post...but I bet another big part of him being here was to get away from the media scrum that probably follows him around all day. That's the beauty about Australia and New Zealand...we're so far away from everywhere else so we tend to treat superstars as your average Joe.
You want another example? Ok then; David Beckham was in town last week...and he thoroughly enjoyed the fact that he was able to walk around Sydney and Wellington without getting hassled. Yes he said a few people came up and asked for autographs, but that's the measure of how well known he is...but Jr is a NASCAR driver (which isn't a global sport like football is) so what did you expect?
You see, while Marcos Ambrose is doing his best to convert us to NASCAR...though he didn't have to with me since he didn't go over there until two years after I started watching...we already have our own motorsport series where they run 'stock' cars and V8 engines, so why would we bother getting all excited about a bloke who just wanted to have a nice, relaxing two weeks? We're not considered one of the most laid-back countries for nothing you know *rolls eyes*
In a country where Cricket, Tennis, Rugby League and Aussie Rules captures our attention, NASCAR just doesn't cut it and I doubt it ever will. So enjoy your time in Australia, Jr...after the year you've had, you deserve to have a break, mate.
I wished I had not read your last post. I had the TV to switch to the V-8 on Friday and forgot about it, thats why I had it program todo so. I just got off line from commenting back and forth with you, walked down stairs and the start of the first race was on the TV. I yelled a few words, and momma asked what had happen. LMAO
I said dam TEZ, she said WHO ! LOL I said never mind.
mmm, that's what I figured, YeeMum. Actually, I even thought they wouldn't bother having a separate article for it and would have included it in the V8 Supercars stuff.
It would be like an Aussie journo writing up 'Shane Warne not recognised in America'....obviously he wouldn't, you lot don't give a toss about cricket *rolls eyes*
LOL, Forensic....should I be honoured that you yelled at me when the V8's came on or not? :P
Good for Jr. He deserves to have some time away from all the ruckus of NASCAR and fans...and his trip down under sounds like the perfect tonic to relax.
Tez ---I think you are the only one in GGW that has not changed their avatar lately. So...your turn to shock and/or amuse us. We do like the black panther...but maybe he needs a mini-vacation.
I would imagine Dale Jr. appreciated the lack of fans stalking his every move and had time to see what the V8 super cars was all about. I would not put it passed him to have a variation of the cars at his track he is building on the ALA./ Florida border for one of the races.
From what I have seen and heard, this operation will have multiple tracks along with a theme park.
Can't say for sure but this looks like a major complex with big plans in the future.
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
