Dale Jr. Hates the New Shootout Format

I wrote the other day about how much I disliked the new format NASCAR is going with for the season-opening Budweiser Shootout in 2009 at Daytona, mainly because of the qualification procedure.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. hates the new format for a completely different reason, though:

"I don't know what the extra five laps are for," he said Friday at Auto Club Speedway, site of Sunday's Pepsi 500 Sprint Cup race. "What the heck? They [NASCAR] don't get it. They messed up The Winston, the all-star race, and they're messing up the Shootout.

"They ought to line us up, make us run 10 laps. They want us to run around there for 25 first and have a 25-lap segment? That'd be cool. But 10 laps to go, all or nothing - that's what the fans want, that's what the drivers want.

"The last segment being 50 laps? We're just going to sit there for 30. I just don't get it. They don't get it. I don't understand. I don't know what the focus group is they're talking to to get these formats.

"It's frustrating because I want to like running those races. I don't want to dread them, but right now I'm dreading running them because the formats are no fun."

If Earnhardt Jr. was aiming for a scathing critique of the format, then he was spot on. And can you blame the guy?
Earnhardt Jr. has plenty of credentials when it comes to the Budweiser Shootout and racing overall at Daytona International Speedway with both his family's history and his own personal record at the track. Most recently, Earnhardt Jr. won this year's version of the non-points race.

You've got to believe that NASCAR probably isn't the biggest fan of hearing their most-popular driver rag on their new format, and if anything they might consider changing the way the race is run.

It honestly can't be a good thing to have Dale Earnhardt Jr. claim he gets bored on a race track because of how a race is set up, right?

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Dale Earnhardt Jr. driver of the #88 AMP Energy National Guard Chevrolet waits for his qualifying run for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Sam Hornish Jr. drives the #77 Penske Truck Rental Dodge ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in his #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Dale Earnhardt Jr. (L), driver of the #88 AMP ENERGY/National Guard Chevrolet, speaks with team owner Rick Hendrick (C), as crew chief Tony Eury Jr. (R) smiles, during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AMP ENERGY/National Guard Chevrolet, stands in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. chats with a crew member during practice for the NASCAR Pepsi 500 auto race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

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FONTANA, CA - AUGUST 29: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet, drivers during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway on August 29, 2008 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)

8-29-2008 @ 9:29PM

Maveness said...

And by Sunday Junior will be apologizing for what he said and he didn't mean it, etc. Because he'll get hauled into the big red truck and there'll be a stern talking to about being part of the company line, rather than talking bad. It's what NASCAR does. As soon as there's dissension in the ranks, they squash it. They did it to Tony, they'll do it to Junior.

Doesn't change the fact, though, that at least for a couple of days the fans have Junior on their side. (I love my boy. But he doesn't have a strong enough personality when it comes to standing his ground against NASCAR. Even Tony backs down half hte time.)

8-30-2008 @ 3:58PM

MALCOMB said...

MAVENESS..No way your completely wrong.Jr won't say he was wrong on sorry ..He was spot on an he is willing to stand behind it an so is the owner..Nascar is trying to appeal to too large a group like chain food places..They make food bland to get larger crowd an Nasca is going to make things dull by trying to make it to..what ever for lg group..Look at Bush/Edwards deal..neither should have gotten a fine nor even been called down for it..

8-29-2008 @ 10:19PM

deb said...

you are right about that but i dont like there taking who wins a pole gets in.it's been takin out of it, makes you think there listen to what mikey waltrip thinks that nascar needs they went and change the go or go home teams all qualify now last like he said nascar should do. bam it was done.

8-29-2008 @ 11:29PM

jaymz1966 said...

but...he still loves little baby ducks old pick up truck and rain...

9-01-2008 @ 7:51PM

Linda said...

Jaymz Thanks !! After reading all of the 'heavy' posts, it was refreshing to run across yours ! Funny.... and I needed a good laugh.

8-30-2008 @ 2:40AM

Don Emerson said...

More proof that Jr is in touch with what his fans want, and does what he can to please them. If he had a few more wins under his belt, Nascar just might listen to him. the new format sucks, but there is nothing we, or Jr can do about it. I'm beginning to think that Nascar has buyers lined up for all the tracks so they can turn them into shopping centers. Obviously that's more suited for their business practices than racing. Works for me....

8-31-2008 @ 2:12PM

i have to agree the new changes reek of big money...iyou can't please everybody...but nascar sure is trying... still like win a pole get in the shootout, it adds someting to qualifying day...

9-15-2008 @ 8:11AM

Russell Roy said...

nascar is about to lose another fan.

8-30-2008 @ 6:55AM

KAH said...

Good Lord. If Jr is going to be bored and hes the driver, what about us sitting in the stands or watching at home. Nascars changed to freakin much & I never thought I'd say this, BUT I"M TIRED OF WATCHING IT"..I'll go to Dover next month. Hopefully it will be a good race, good as in K Busch kissing the wall..lol Go Carl, Nascar is making their drivers look like a bunch of Pansy asses.

8-31-2008 @ 12:45AM

Ron said...

KAH, I can't agree with you more. The fall of NASCAR started with the start of the "Chase For The Cup"! I had been watching every race since the early '90s and I can't even get myself to watch a race these days. I had always been a huge fan of the Brickyard and forced myself to watch it again this year and I have to say that was the worst four hours of my life. NASCAR stopped listening to the fans and now has kissed the sponsors butts to the point of completely ruining the greatest sport in the US!

8-30-2008 @ 8:51AM

David said...

I agree with Jr. NASCAR just does NOT get it. As a soon to be past fan of NASCAR racing they have forgot it's the fans who pay the bills. I'm not even watching on TV this weekend, let alone buy a ticket. I live close to Daytona, but they won't see me there next year or any other year. I was there for the first TV race and I'm very disappointed with what it's become. Put them back on 9" tires with stock sheet metal and lets race. All we have now is identical high speed go carts with bodies over them.
No shootout for pole winners? That's the last straw NASCAR, this camel's back is broken.

8-30-2008 @ 9:54AM

Kim said...

Hats off to Jr. for speaking his mind and publically at that. Maveness is right though....unfortunately Jr. will back down from his comments once he is scolded by NASCAR for stating his "unpopular" opinion. The opinion is only unpopular by NASCAR's standards. Jr., I am sure is speaking on behalf of many of the drivers and many of the fans. Apparently NASCAR officials have never received the memo....you know the one about the right to freedom of speech and all? LOL

As for the Shootout....NASCAR doesn't understand you don't fix something unless it's broken. There was nothing wrong with the format of the Shootout and changing it makes no sense. But then again....as a famous comic says (his name escapes me at the moment)..."you can't fix stupid."

Kim

8-30-2008 @ 6:10PM

CynCoxon said...

Ron White, love him & he's a race fan too. Won't be if they keep screwing it up the way they have been though.

8-30-2008 @ 10:23AM

Randy said...

i have to say that i dont think it will be too long before the tracks will be a ghost town (so to speak) Nascar is and have been destroying the sport for several yrs. now the (COT) all the safety stuff the speed limit on pit lane no racing to the line in the event of a caution hell my grandmother or grandfather can get out there and race now i can remember when not everyone could do what they do but now hell it is more dangerous driving on the interstate in rush hour traffic than they are in

8-30-2008 @ 11:44AM

Bernie said...

Whatever Junior, just go out and win. Forget about what you can't control and deal with what you can. Those of you who continually complain about what Nascar has become and talking about staying away from Nascar I say "YEAH RIGHT" your going to watch you just don't know it yet. Racing will always have fans regardless wether it's Nascar fans or not. I doubt you will ever see the seats MT like you would like to think because you disagree with how the Nascar owners are operating well go out and start a new circuit and tell me if you can keep everyone happy.

8-30-2008 @ 11:51AM

Jack Hall said...

Nothing wrong with saftey Randy. I don't think anyone wants to see a driver killed or mamed. Don, I don't understand what Jr's "wins under his belt" has to do with Nascar listening to him. That doesn't make a lot of sense.

8-30-2008 @ 2:34PM

erin said...

where have you been? under a rock......if you win NASCAR may listen to you. go 88!!

8-31-2008 @ 5:57PM

Lorraine said...

I think JR is correct. However, Nascar will not change things unless it benefits them. Look at the COT piece of crap. Lets get back to good old fashioned racing like it used to be. Bring your car and race. Listen to the racers, they are the ones that have to put up with all the changes and bring in the money and the fans should have a big say so in the way things are done.

9-03-2008 @ 3:25AM

OINKJOHNSON2 said...

Earnhardt, Jr. is dancing around the real problem--restrictor plate racing. Why do they not simply decrease the maximum displacement to, say, 300 cubic inches and let the teams use whatever induction system they want (excluding superchargers, of course)?

Then, neither the drivers nor the fans would be bored.

8-30-2008 @ 2:15PM

Sandy said...

There's an old saying
If it ain't broken.... DON'T FIX IT.
Jr.knows what's up. Why does Nascar have to change things ? They really need to consult with the drivers ( who know best ) then going to some other consulting group that only look at the god almighty dollar.
With the amount of Nascar fans out there ( and growing ) don't make changes that will defeat the drivers.
Hello NASRCAR wake up and talk to the PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU THE MONEY !!!!!!!! The drivers.