The NASCAR season is not even five weeks old and already there seems be alot of concern about safety.
That is funny especially since the car that the Cup teams are driving solely this year was built for safety.
Daytona has been the only race so far that has not been plagued by safety concerns in one form or another.
At California, it was the track that was the safety issue. With all the rain that fell that weekend, the track had weepers coming through the seams of the track. Denny Hamlin and Casey Mears had wrecks that were caused by the weepers on the track.
At Las Vegas, it was tires that were blowing out during the race. Tony Stewart had a horrific wreck after a right front tire blew. Leaving the two time champ wondering if he was seriously hurt. Stewart wrecked in the Nationwide Series race the day before, also due to a blown right front tire.
Also at Vegas, Jeff Gordon discovered another safety issue. This time an issue that no one was expecting. A protruding inner wall opening that is used for emergency vehicles. Gordon spun out and hit the wall. Causing major damage to his car. Fortunately no damage to Gordon.
At Atlanta, again it was a safety issue. This time the safety issue was once again the tires. Not tires blowing out, but tires with no grip. Goodyear decided to bring a much harder tire. And therefore there was no grip for the cars due to the lack of downforce that the new cars have.
Fortunately there was one bad wreck, and that was Elliott Sadler. But the problem for poor Sadler he had three other wrecks during the race.
Tony Stewart has been very vocal this past week about his dislike for the tire at Atlanta. And Goodyear has heard him loud and clear. From the moment that he opened his mouth, there has been a battle raging between Tony Stewart and Goodyear.
Since the end of the Atlanta race many other drivers have spoken out against the tire that Goodyear brought. Drivers such as four time champion Jeff Gordon and Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. But the more and more that I read, and the more and more that I hear. I am beginning to wonder if there isn't a bigger issue in NASCAR.
It seems that there is a bigger problem. And it is a problem that nobody really wants to talk about. But it is a problem that has been around since the inception of NASCAR.
And that problem is that NASCAR officials have way too much power. When a driver, car owner, track owner or anyone with a concern approaches them. It is as if they will let you talk. Express your concern, but then they will dismiss you like you had never said anything.
The first time this problem really seemed to have raised its head was back in the 1960s, when Curtis Turner tried to get a drivers union. NASCAR banned him for life in 1961. But then they reinstated him in 1965.
In 1969 Richard Petty and the sports top stars boycotted the first Talladega race in protest over the way NASCAR was doing business.
They were apart of the first and only Driver Union in NASCAR The Professional Drivers Association. It was not to be long lived. Because Bill France let it be known that if the top drivers wanted to race in NASCAR, they had to race by his rules. France brought in ringers to race at the inaugural race at Talladega.
Since these drivers wanted to race, they folded their union and went back to racing on NASCAR terms.
Every since then NASCAR has just runned stock car racing on their terms.
So as the 2008 season gets into full swing, that age old problem has once again risen its ugly head: Does NASCAR really listen to the drivers?
Time will tell if anything ever does change with NASCAR. But one thing is for certain, with a vocal driver such as Tony Stewart in NASCAR, there will be more battles. And he will certainly voice his concern.
At the start of the Daytona 500 yesterday, I had not really given much thought to the Penske teams. Well, except for Kurt Busch, and that was not good thoughts.
Going into yesterday's race. The heavy hitters all seemed to becoming from two organizations: Joe Gibbs Racing and Rick Hendrick Motorsports.
These two organizations had won everything so far that Speedweeks had to offer, except the Truck race, and Todd Bodine won that for Toyota.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. had won the Bud Shootout and the first Gatorade Duel 150. Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the 500.
Denny Hamlin won the second Gatorade Duel 150. And Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Series race. While teammate Kyle Busch finished second in both the Craftsman Truck and Nationwide Series races.
It appeared that the scene was set for these two organizations to do battle to the end. All of the main players were all in the top 15 except Kyle Busch who started 24th. But he did not stay there long.
Busch made his way to the front in a hurry to lead a race high 86 laps. While teammates Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin helped to add to the total of 138 laps that the Toyotas would lead.
That ultimate battle never happened. The Hendrick teams seemed to be snake bit. Three of the four Hendrick cars finished outside of the top 25. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 9th was the only Hendrick car in the top 10 at the end.
Jeff Gordon developed suspension problems dropping him to 39th. Casey Mears wrecked and he finished 35th. While Jimmie Johnson had a miscue in the pits that dropped him to the back of the field in which he got caught up in a late race wreck. That did minor damage to the car, finished 27th.
The day it seemed belonged to the Gibbs Toyotas. All three of the Gibbs cars took turns leading the race at different times.
While it appeared that Kyle had the best car of the three. It was Tony Stewart who was posed with three laps to go to win the race. Stewart took off from the the caution. Before they hit turn one he was in the lead.
As the laps dwindled down, Stewart was leading when the white flag was thrown. Stewart it appeared was on his way to winning his first Daytona 500.
But not so fast Mr. Stewart. The two Penske teams were saying. We have something to say about this. And say they did. As Tony dropped down to pick up his teammate, the two Penske teammates set sail and went passed Stewart to win the race.
Kurt Busch gave his teammate a push that sent Ryan Newman to the win. Giving Roger Penske his first points paying restrictor plate win in the organization's history.
So as much as everyone wanted to see Stewart win, if for no other reason but to see his long flowing locks be cut by the media. It was Ryan Newman who came out on top of this Golden 50th Daytona 500.
Congratulations to you Mr. Ryan Newman.
And to the Gibbs and Toyota teams everyone of you should hold your heads up high. You showed that you are going to be contenders all season long. And the wins will come. And the first win could very well come next week at California.
And as far as Hendrick, well, we all know that we have not heard the last of them. They will be back as strong as ever.
OPERATION WAX SMOKE! Well it is official the money has been raised and Smoke will be waxed. Time is yet to be determined. It appears that it will take place on Smoke's Sirius radio show sometime in the near future. Kevin Harvick went ahead and put the final amount of money up to reach the $100,000. So Smoke get ready, you will be waxed by your old Nationwide Series car owner.
There has been an outbreak at the Lowe's Motor Speedway. It surrounds four staff members from the Homeland Security Department in Washington, D.C. It appears that these four have come down with NASCAR Cooties!
Now what is NASCAR Cooties has yet to be determined.
These four were advised to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria and influenza, by Department of Homeland Security. But the one thing that they were not vaccinated for was NASCAR Cooties.
They have been quarantined until the medical community can figure out exactly what NASCAR Cooties is.
All four have come down with different systems: one has red blouchy runny bumps all over his butt, some doctors are calling this the Jeff Gordon Bump and Run.
One has a high temperature and is always throwing his hands up in the air. The medical community is calling this the Johnson flu.
A third one just sits quietly not saying a word. He has a slight fever, but he keeps having cold chills, and the only thing he will drink is a Cold Bud mixed with Mountain Dew. One doctor says this disease is Dale Jr. Fever.
The fourth one, is alittle harder to pinpoint. This fellow, one minute he is fine, the next minute he wants to fight. He keeps slipping in the dirty. But he is steady on the pavement. But one thing about him, he keeps breaking out into a rash when he tells the truth, no matter how much it itchs. The medical community is calling this the Stewart Rash.
Now the above was just in fun. But what is not funny is the fact that the Homeland Security is treating NASCAR races in the south like a third word country when they go to them.
Sometimes you really have to stop and laugh at what comes out of Washington, D.C. these days. I know that some unique things go on at NASCAR races. Tiny towns springing up in the infield for a week. Then they move on to the next town.
Many get drunk and act well, not like themselves. They paint their bodies, their heads and they have tattoos of their favorite driver on their body. They raise flags on top of their camp sites showing their support for their driver.
They set up cooking sites and invite anyone who wants to come and partake in their southern hospitality to come and enjoy themselves.
They have plenty of port of pottys for those who perfer to rough it in a tent. Along with showers to clean up after a hearty meal with new friends.
There is drinking water for those who need to wash their hands. Or who just want to splash in the water.
So how does the Homeland Department think that this a place where communicable diseases would be a breeding ground for? Sounds like a fun place to visit to me.
So Department of Homeland Security the question is "What were you thinking?"
Oh my goodness, whatever will we do if Dale Earnhardt Jr. misses the chase? Will the world stop turning? Will we stop breathing? Will NASCAR stop racing races? Oh, wait, we have already done this once before. Back in 2005.
Why is it the media is making such a big to do about Dale Jr. missing the chase, again?
The world did not stop turning. We continued to breath. NASCAR kept on racing.
This reminds me of the child's story about Henny Penny and the Sky is falling. Guess the sky is falling for the media. And I guess if they tell us long enough that we will begin to believe it too.
I know Dale Earnhardt Jr. is "a fan favorite". But so are so many other drivers.
I am sure the Ryan Newman fans are wanting their driver to make the chase as well as the Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans.
I didn't stop watching races last year when my driver Tony Stewart didn't make the chase.
The media makes it sound like the world as we know it will come to a screeching halt, if Dale Jr. misses the chase.
Well it didn't come to a halt in 2005 when both Dale Jr. and Jeff Gordon missed the Chase. And as sure as I am sitting here, it will not come to halt because Dale Jr. does not make the chase in 2007.
When you don't run well week in and week out, you don't collect the points you need to make the chase. And let's face it. Dale Jr. has not had the type of finishes he has needed lately to make the Chase.
It is unfortunate if he doesn't make the chase. But it will not be the end of the world.
Well what do you know, it seems that NASCAR has been listening to the rumblings to suspend drivers to get the attention of teams about cheating.
On Tuesday Brian France didn't say that they WOULD suspend drivers but that they would be willing to do it, because they have done it in the past.
So it seems that NASCAR has thrown down the gauntlet once and for all at the teams. Cheat and you might lose your driver. Now how would this affect your top notch teams? It very well could be disastrous. Especially if the driver is lost for say 6 weeks. That certainly could take that team out of the chase.
But then again, for a midlevel team it might be just the jump start they need to put new blood into the car.
Now this scenerio is not likely to happen. But it is a possibility, if NASCAR does go to suspending drivers.
RUMORS OF SUSPENDED CREW CHIEFS AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
While I listened to parts of the race on Sunday, (I did not watch the whole race, I actually missed Denny winning) I thought I heard one of the commentators make the statement that Steve Letarte was at the track. Now, I really didn't pay it any attention. Because I just figured that Hendrick decided to fight the penalty after all.
But it seems that it is not the case. It seems that not only was Letarte there, but Chad Knaus and Tony Eury Jr. were there also.
According to reports Steve Letarte attended a team meeting in the team hauler. Which is certainly a big no-no in the eyes of a NASCAR suspension. Or at least so you would think.
Now the "cheaters" have found away to "cheat" the suspension. You just knew that eventually someone would find away around the suspension and test it.
But seems that NASCAR is looking into it.
But how is NASCAR going to control every aspect of the track. They can't.One option is to have the suspended crew members pictures given to each and every track official. And if they spot the suspened crew members they have to turn them in to NASCAR.
But NASCAR is going to have to offer "bounties" on the crew members heads for them to be turned in. Because let's face it. Money talks. And if you have the money, pay off the official and the suspended crew member gets in.
Or a better option might be for NASCAR to corral the suspended crew members into a hotel during race weekend. Kind of like a temporary jail. They check in on Friday and can't check out until after the race on Sunday.
Sometimes you have to think outside of the box NASCAR and these crew chiefs are masters of thinking outside of the box.
Rick Hendrick Motorsports teams 24 and 48, What part of DO NOT MESS WITH THE CAR OF TOMORROW, do you not get?
Back in the very beginning NASCAR told you guys not to mess with this car. That they would not put up with it. And that there would be stiff fines and penalties to follow.
Tony Eury, Jr. found out a few weeks ago how serious that NASCAR was. He is still sitting out a 6 week suspension. Dale Jr. and car owner Teresa Earnhardt was docked 100 points and fined $100,000. For improper mounting bracket holes. Supposedly put on by accident. Okay. Maybe. Yeah right. Not.
Now Chad Knaus I was not surprised by your name being in on this lastest scheme. But Steve Letarte you are currently the points leader and you have a healthy points lead of 271 over second place Denny Hamlin. (Points after Sunday's Sonoma race).
Jeff Gordon has made the plea that he hopes that NASCAR comes down light on his and Johnson's team. But if NASCAR does, can you just hear the uproar from the Jr. Nation fans and fans in general who already feel like the Hendricks teams get away with special treatment from NASCAR?
I certainly hope that NASCAR does hold the Hendricks teams to the fire. They deliberately tried to gain and an edge and they have as much as said so. Eury Jr. claimed the brackets were an accident, maybe.
But the fenders were made in the shop. And the teams have already admitted that they massaged the fenders in the grey area. But NASCAR has already said not to do that.
NASCAR wants to keep these cars under tight rules. And they want the straying out into the grey area that it has had with the current cars.
So NASCAR the ball is now in your court. Will you fumble or make a touchdown? On Tuesday or Wednesday, we shall see.
Aric Almirola Or Denny Hamlin at Milwaukee?
Aric I feel for you. You qualified the car on the pole. You lead for what 40 some laps. And then on lap 54 you have to turn the car over to the designated driver.
And the worst part, he goes out and he wins the race in the car that you felt you could have won in.
Welcome to Busch Racing.
I understand why Denny was put into the car. Rockwell Automation has signed him to be their driver for certain races this year. And when you are in your own backyard, you want your star driver at the helm.
It was a bad situation all around. Could it have been handled better? I don't know. Either way, someone was not going to be happy. Whether it be Denny or Aric. But one thing is for certain, you have to keep your sponsors happy. And if they want their star at the wheel, you better do everything you can to get him there.
Now having said that, Denny's first job is the Cup car. Now he had to stay in Sonoma for the last practice. This is what started this whole fiasco. Should Denny have just stayed in Sonoma and let Aric have the ride? Depends on your point of view. But there again, it goes back to making the sponsor happy.
Aric knew going into Milwaukee that Denny was the primary driver. And there was a chance that Aric would have to qualify the car and start it. But does that mean he should keep the ride? No.
Because Aric knew that he was there only as a backup driver. And Denny was the primary driver. So Aric should not be too mad. Right? Wrong.
The day a driver gladily gives up a ride to another driver, you better start wondering about the passion of that driver. The fact that Aric got upset that he was taken out of the car, shows me that he has the passion to win. And he will do many great things in NASCAR. Keep that passion Aric. It will take you to many wins in the future.
As far as the position Gibbs Racing was put in, I would not want to be in that position. But you have honor that contract with the sponsor. Denny in, Aric out.
Now for next year, let's hope that Denny will back away from the 20 car and allow Aric the chance to get into that car and show off his talents for Rockwell. So J.D. Gibbs, here is your chance to make it up to this young man. Sign him up for a full time ride next year in the Busch Series. And don't have him sharing his ride with anyone.
What a week in NASCAR this has been: The Dover race got rained out on Sunday. Causing NASCAR to move the race to Monday. While the race was being run sad news came that former CEO of NASCAR Bill France had passed away.
Leaving behind a legacy that has will keep him fondly remembered for years to come. It was his vision that helped to bring NASCAR into the modern-era. It was Bill France who got R.J. Reynolds to come on board and become the cup series first name sponsor. And it was through the help of R.J. Reynolds that help Bill France make his dream of bringing stock car racing to mainstream America. Mr. France we thank you for your hard and enduring work to make stock car racing the number 1 auto racing series in America. We will miss you Mr. France.
"Whom Will Jr. Sign With?"
The drama "Whom Will Jr. Sign With?" has continued another week. Leaving many rumors as to where he will be next season. Jeff Hammond reported on Fox's last broadcast for this season, the his sources are saying that within 10 days to 2 weeks, Jr. will sign with Joe Gibbs Racing. Darrell Waltrip, says, nope, Jr. will sign with Hendricks.
Well I for one would like to tell Jr. "Enough already, sign with someone!" Just kidding. I think it is hilarious all the speculation that is out there. You would think that Dale Jr. was running for President of the Planet Earth.
"Where there is a Busch, there is Smoke"
Then we also have the next segment of the drama "Where there is a Busch, there is Smoke". Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch once again seem to find themselves wrecking in a Cup race this season. This is what the second (or third or fourth...etc) time this season that these two have literally crossed each others path during a race.
From what I saw, it appeared that neither Stewart nor Busch were going to give the other one an inch. And why should they? This is racing after all. Stewart would pass Busch. Busch would pass Stewart. Then it would start all over again. But then it happened. Busch passed Stewart on the low side. Busch pulls his car up into the path of Stewart, causing both drivers to wreck their cars. Just a racing incident.
Well, it was at least as far as I was concerned, until they hit pitroad. What happened next could have been very tragic.
As Stewart was parked on pitroad. His jackman Jason Lee, was looking the car over and making repairs as needed. When all of a sudden Kurt Busch comes flying up to the 20 car. Striking the 20 car as he came to a stop. Jason Lee being alert jumped on top of the 20 car's hood. Preventing himself from possibly being struck by the 2 car.
Now I now that tempers flare at races. And that is what racing so human to us all. And I love to see the drivers express themselves. But this is the type of expression that could get an innocent crew member seriously injured or killed.
I have no problem with Kurt going to Tony and telling him that he felt that Tony could have given him room. And I have no problem with Tony going to Kurt and telling if you would have waited another couple of seconds, you would have cleared me and we wouldn't be having this discussion.
But when a driver uses a car as a weapon on pit road that is just wrong. It was wrong when Tony Stewart used his car on pit road to hit Jeff Gordon. And it is wrong for any other driver to use their car in a manner such as this.
Now what will NASCAR do to Kurt Busch is unknown as of right now. There is a rumor out there that NASCAR will be meeting on Friday to determine what will be done about the pitroad run in if anything.
Now here is what I think should happen: I think that Kurt Busch should be summoned to the oval office at 6 a.m. and the team will not be allowed to unload their car until after the meeting. (Like they did to Tony)
He should be sat down and Robin Pemberton, Mike Helton and Jim Hunter should read the right act to Mr. Busch. Then he should be fined $100,000, 100 drivers and owners points (Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip). Then he should be suspended for two races (Kevin Harvick) for actions detrimental to stock car racing. He should have to make a public and personal apology to everyone and Jason Lee for his actions.
Then he should be escorted to Tony Stewart's team hauler, and Jason Lee should be given to opportunity to do to Busch whatever he wants. Then Busch should be go straight to jail (escorted off of the premises) do not pass go, and do not collect $200,000 (inflation).
The team should be able to race. They were not at fault for this incident and only Kurt should suffer for it.
From www.NASCAR.comNASCAR announced Friday that Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 2 Dodge in the Nextel Cup Series, has been penalized 100 championship driver points, fined $100,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31, 2007, for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing -- reckless driving; endangering a crew member on pit road) of the 2007 NASCAR rule book.
Car owner Roger Penske has also been penalized with the loss of 100 championship owner points due to his driver's infraction.
Edwards wins on Dirt
Carl Edwards won the third annual "Nextel's Prelude to the Dream" at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday night.
Carl Edwards was joined by NASCAR stars Bobby Labonte, Kevin Harvick, Denny Hamlin, J.J. Yeley, Bill Elliott, Elliott Sadler, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Mark Martin, Kenny Schrader, Kenny Wallace, Mike Wallace, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Aric Almirola, and David Reutimann.
Cup Race Team Owner Ray Evernham, Former Cup driver Red Farmer. Two dragster stars, Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon.
Mike Joy, Kyle Petty and Darrell Waltip were the announcers for the race. Matt Yocum was the pit reporter. All had a wonderful time.
And the best thing is that all the proceeds go to the Victory Junction Camp in which that Kyle and Patty Petty run for children with medical issues that keep them from attending regular camps.
Truex Wins 1st Cup Race
Oh, Yeah, Martin Truex won his first cup race. Congratulations to Martin Truex and the Bass Pro Shops Team for their win at Dover, DE.
It's off to see Pocono, the wonderful Pocono
(Sorry, I had the Wizard of Oz song in my head lol)
On to Pocono we go! And the question continues "Will Joe Gibbs Racing Finally Win a Race?" Stay tuned, is this weekend is anything like last weekend, well, I see a nap in my future on Sunday.
J.D. and Joe Gibbs both have said that they cannot envision a way for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to come to their organization and have Budweiser as his sponsor.
J.D. has also said that Gibbs Racing will not be expanding to four teams next year.
So that being said that means that one of the Gibbs current drivers: Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley would have to be let go.
Tony Stewart, 1999 Rookie of the Year and 2 time champion, has a contract with Gibbs until 2009. Plus he is in the premier lead car. So I seriously doubt Smoke would be willing to give up his ride to have Jr. at Gibbs Racing.
Denny Hamlin, 2007 Rookie of the Year, not sure when his contract runs, but it is probably until end 2007. Gibbs is known for signing their drivers to 3 year contracts. He has proven himself a winner by winning 3 times last year (Budweiser Shootout and both Pocono races). Plus was the only contender for Gibbs Racing last year in the Chase for the Championship. So I seriously doubt Gibbs is going to let him go. They very well have already extended his contract for another 3-5 years.
So this brings us to J.J. Yeley. Yeley has not performed the way that the Gibbs teams had hoped. Last Yeley was more likely to wreck than finish. But this year, he has finished in the top 25 in all but two races. A 36th at Bristol and a 43rd at Texas.
With his best finish coming Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600 a 2nd. If there would been just one more lap to the Coke 600, it might would have been J.J. Yeley celebrating in Victory Lane instead of Casey Mears. But would've, could've doesn't win races.
But with finishes like this, Yeley might have finally proven that he deserves to stay at Gibbs Racing. If Yeley continues to perform at this level, he very well might finish in the top 15 in points this year. And J.D. Gibbs who has said, “We went to J.J. and said no matter what happens, if we go out there and we run well together, you’re here forever."
So is J.J. racing to keep his job? Yes, and with finishes like this he isn't going to go anywhere. The Gibbs organization is extremely loyal to their drivers. If this wasn't so, a certain driver by the name of Tony Stewart would not be their top star right now. He would have long been gone from Gibbs.
But Joe Gibbs and J.D. Gibbs believe in their drivers and if that loyalty is returned by top runs, they will resign you for as long as you want to be in Cup racing.
So if Yeley keeps his job, where will Jr. go? It doesn't look like it will be Gibbs Racing.
Congratulations J.J. Yeley on a super job Sunday night. Keep this up and you will be finding yourself in the winner's circle very soon.
Today as we go about our cookouts and celebrations, take a moment and think about those who have given so much for our freedom.
These are the men and women who have fought so bravely on the front lines for our country for 231 years. Many gave their lives for our freedoms. More of them lived with the scares and injuries of the war that they fought in.
They are True Heroes. They gave us their time and their lives so that we could live in a land of freedom.
Also, while you are remembering them, remember their families. Because of the love and support of their families they are able to do their jobs and do their jobs very well.
Thank you to all our men and women and their families. Thank you for your sacrifice.
We will always remember, so we will always be free. Thank you!!!
Congratulations to Kyle Petty for a 3rd Place Finish. It was so good to see a Petty back in the top 5. Hope that we see you there more often.
When will someone else besides a Hendrick Team Win?
Don't get me wrong, I am happy to see Casey get his first win, but enough is enough. It is time for someone else besides Hendrick to celebrate in Victory Lane.
At this point and time, I would even welcome a Roush win. (Did I just say that? I must be really tired of Hendricks! hahaha)
"We worked really hard, but we were never close," Earnhardt said. "I am a little sad, but I am trying to remind myself to be excited about what's ahead."
As An Era Ends Today,
A New Era Begins
Well all that is left to decide now is whom Dale Jr. will race for next year.
The end of era for the Earnhardt family came to a close today. Dale Earnhardt Jr. let it be known today that he was going to be leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. at the end of the season. This is the company in which Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been employed since the day he stepped into NASCAR racing. Whether it was Busch or Cup.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. started DEI so that he could leave his children a legacy that they some day would run. He brought his son Dale Jr. into the company to be its featured driver. He put Michael Waltrip in a second car, as a teammate to his son. Dale Sr. had a vision for his company that many knew about. But due to a tragedy in 2001 that took Dale Sr.'s life Dale Sr. never got to see that vision to full fillment.
Things were going along very well for DEI for several years after Sr. died. But somewhere around 2004 things seemed to change. It almost seemed that DEI was falling behind in the technology department.
As teams like Hendricks, Gibbs, Roush and Childress all made strides, DEI just seemed to have leveled off. The cars were not as competitive as they had been in the past. This was very evident on the restrictor plate tracks. This was the one track in which DEI dominated in 2001-2003. But in 2004, DEI was no longer the dominate car to beat at the restrictor plate tracks. That now fell on teams like Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
So when it came time for contract talks between Dale Jr. and DEI, there were major issues that needed to be addressed. And evidently the two parties could not come to agreement on how to best fix those issues.
Dale Jr. wanted ownership of DEI. Because he felt that he could take DEI to the next level of competition.
Teresa Earnhardt evidently felt that she is the best person to take DEI to the next level.
Now time will tell if DEI will ever become one of the top tier teams again. My gut feeling is that unless DEI makes some major changes, they will never be a top tier team. Regardless of who they might hire as a driver.
Dale Jr. knows from his talks with other owners and drivers that there are things that DEI is lacking. And that is what he wanted to put into place for DEI. But because of the failed contract talks with DEI, Jr.'s vision for DEI will have to wait. I just hope that there is a company in place that Jr. and Kelly will be able to oversee in the future.
Because there is coming a day in which Teresa will step away from DEI. And that day may be sooner than later. But for now Teresa is still the head of DEI. Let's just hope that she does make the hard decisions that needs to be made to make DEI the best it can be.
As to where Dale Jr. will end up. Well, my gut feeling is either it will be Gibbs or Childress. With Childress being the most likely. The only way I can see him going to Hendricks is if either Kyle Busch or Casey Mears are on their way out. And since Kyle is performing as well as his teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, I can't see him leaving.
But the performance for Casey has not been what they had wanted. And since Casey is only into his first year with Hendricks, it probably would be a stretch for him to leave just yet.
Now Childress and Gibbs each have room for expansion to a fourth car. There is even speculation that J.J. Yeley might be out of the 18 car by the end of the season if things do not pick up. So there is more room for Dale Jr. at Gibbs. But the one problem with that is that Gibbs already has a big name star in Tony Stewart and a rising star in Denny Hamlin. Would Jr. really fit into Gibbs? Maybe, but not likely.
Dale Jr. seems more like the type of driver that Richard Childress likes to hire. He is quiet. Doesn't really call attention to himself personally. Like Jeff Burton and Clint Bowyer. And on occasion Kevin Harvick.
So where will he wind up? It is anyone's guess, but if I were a gambling person, I would put money on Childress Racing.
I am a southern female who grew up on NASCAR. After all growing up in the backyard of many of the old tracks run here in North Carolina it is was hard not to follow NASCAR.
My Drivers: Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, J.J. Yeley, Kevin Harvick (in that order). I will not pull for a Roush or Hendrick driver. Just because they are the competition to a 3rd championship for Smoke.
