TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears met with reporters for the first time since being placed on a six-week probation by NASCAR for post-race antics Saturday night in Phoenix.And they both essentially invoked the ol' "that's just racin' " clause and are ready to move on.
"I don't really have (a reaction)," Earnhardt said of the six-week punishment NASCAR issued Tuesday. "Me and Mears are cool. We've been buddies. What happens on the track stays on the track. It's good to be on probation every once in a while, I guess."
"Six weeks probation is a good penalty because as a driver you're kind of taught to watch yourself. For the next six weeks you get back in the habit of acting more professionally on the race track. It's good to have the penalty, but it's good to have the fireworks too."
Both drivers felt the six-week probation handed down by NASCAR was reasonable considering the offense.
Their Chevrolets collided with 12 laps remaining Saturday with Earnhardt getting the worse end of the deal. He had been running well and even led laps, but the damage to his No. 88 car relegated him a 31st place showing and dropped him another three positions in the championship -- 19th coming into Sunday's race here at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
On the cool down lap, Earnhardt expressed his frustration by ramming his No. 88 Chevrolet into Mear's car. Mears responded by running into the back of Earnhardt's car on pit road as the field was making its way to the garage.
"We didn't really put anyone in harms way with what we were doing," said Mears, who finished 20th in the No. 7 Jack Daniels Chevy. "I mean we got down onto pit road when I bumped him, but I obviously knew we were on pit road and I wasn't going to shove him into someone on pit road or do something stupid. I just wanted to bump him and let him know I was upset.
"And where he did it on the race track it was after the race, no one was out there. No one was going to get hurt
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TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 24: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, prepares for practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 24, 2009 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson
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"I think we both proved our point. No harm no foul, we go to the next week."
Earnhardt echoed the sentiment and Friday seemed more frustrated with the season's big picture than that one incident. Both drivers -- Mears still doesn't have a top-10 this season -- have bigger challenges than a little on-track temper tantrum. Earnhardt scoffed at rumors that Hendrick Motorsports was going to change his crew chief and cousin, Tony Eury Jr. And Mears said he's hoping a crew swap with Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton will change his fortune -- beginning Sunday.
"Me and Casey are real good friends and definitely wouldn't go the week without having a discussion about it," Earnhardt said.
"He's having a better season this year but still isn't satisfied. I'm definitely in the same position he is. We're just trying to run better. It's frustrating. I knew he made a mistake because Casey doesn't run over people. I just lost my cool. It happens.
"I hated leading the race, running good and getting wrecked. That's all that was."
Earnhardt was ninth quickest in Friday's opening practice for Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega. Mears was 16th fastest in the final practice. Qualifying for the race is Saturday morning.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-25-2009 @ 4:11PM
dcr2965 said...
When is NASCAR nation going to wise up about Dale Jr.? Sure he's a fan favorite, but why? He doesn't win, and despite having a better than average team, constantly makes excuses for losing. This guy is a moron who is making a living on his dead father's reputation. He can't even find his own pit, why does everyone excuse that repeated offense when almost every other semms to have no trouble? Either he's blind{which should scare the hell out of the pther drivers}, or he's stupid. You decide.
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4-25-2009 @ 7:21PM
nzcr14 said...
Here above is a good EXAMPLE of the "HIT AND RUN" POSTER category,formerly known as "POP UP POSTERS" or " DRIVE BY POSTERS" before.
DUDE, WHY MANY EXCUSE CASEY SMEARS OFFENCES?
WHY DID MANY EXCUSE CARL HATEWARDS AND KYLE BUSH RAMING ON EACH OTHER VEHICLES LAST YEAR and NAZCAR CONDONED with a SLAP ON THE WRIST PENALTY? WHY?.
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4-25-2009 @ 7:29PM
Brad said...
If you have to ask 'Why is a fan favorite', then you obviously don't follow or don't know much about Nascar.
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4-26-2009 @ 9:43AM
Bobbie83 said...
Another person who just doesnt get it. When will people stop with the 'he'll never be his father' argument. He's said as much...that he's not trying to be his father and that he has his own style of racing. A lot of people are fans of the person and cheer for him not because he wins all the time but because he seems to be a down to earth kinda guy...
If you wanna debate why people are fans of those who don't win all the time, perhaps you could also discuss that with Cubs fans like myself.
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4-26-2009 @ 10:24AM
obamaizadope said...
Junior is filthy rich, he doesn't have the drive, or the talent to achieve greatness. The last great Junior was Johnson, and this kid couldn't carry his jock..
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4-26-2009 @ 12:15PM
Kim said...
Bobbie83:
Great comment! I am personally not a fan of Jr.'s driving, but I do believe he is a nice guy. It is clear to me he is a class act, too. He has never been one to hold grudges against other drivers and always seems to be laid back enough to let things go. Glad to hear Casey is doing the same.
Kim
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