Motorsports FanHouse http://motorsports.fanhouse.com Motorsports FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif Motorsports FanHouse http://motorsports.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Martin Truex Jr.'s Long Road to the Chasehttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/07/09/truexs-long-road-to-the-chase/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/07/09/truexs-long-road-to-the-chase/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/07/09/truexs-long-road-to-the-chase/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After receiving a strong penalty from NASCAR Tuesday afternoon, Martin Truex Jr.'s shot at making the Chase for the Championship for the second time in two years took a deep hit.

It wasn't the 150 owner points that hurt, not the $100,000 fine, or even the loss of his crew chief and car chief for the next six races, instead, it was the 150 driver points that Truex lost thanks to his No. 1 car failing inspection last Thursday at Daytona due to a roof height violation.

As if it wasn't bad enough, NASCAR confiscated that car, forcing Truex to miss practice and race a backup car.

But that 150-point penalty is the killer. The penalty completely wiped all 112 points that Truex earned in Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona and then some. In other words, the penalty is worse than if Truex would have missed a race.

The damage dropped Truex 238 points behind 12th-place Tony Stewart, but the biggest difference is that instead of sitting 14th in the point standings, Truex now sits 18th, leaving six drivers ahead of him that are fighting for the same spot.

Truex is now in a very, very tough spot if he wants to make the Chase, having to average at this point a finish 30 points higher each race than Stewart, which translates to between 5 and 11 spots higher in each of the last 8 races before the Chase.

It's a tough penalty, and it deeply affected Truex's run at the championship in the playoff, but its simply another wake up call to teams to be extremely stringent with the way they build their race cars. Is a penalty like that fair? Well, thats a discussion for another day.

Martin Truex Jr.'s Long Road to the Chase originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>ChasefortheChampionshipChicagolandSpeedwayDaytonaDEIMartinTruexJrSprintCupTonyStewartGeoffrey MillerWed, 09 Jul 2008 02:28:00 EST Kyle Busch Drives Like a Girl, Truex Sayshttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/02/16/kyle-busch-drives-like-a-girl-truex-says/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/02/16/kyle-busch-drives-like-a-girl-truex-says/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/02/16/kyle-busch-drives-like-a-girl-truex-says/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Check out all of the NASCAR Fanhouse Daytona Speedweeks Coverage.
On Sunday, stop by for the live blog of the 50th Daytona 500 at 3:00pm/ET.

Kyle Busch finished second Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Daytona driving like a girl, according to Martin Truex Jr.

Truex was heated after finishing 11th in the Camping World 300 despite challenging for the lead late in the race. A block by Busch as Truex tried to take second place killed his momentum and opportunity to challenge Tony Stewart for the win.

Busch wound up 2nd.

From the NASCAR Scene:
"Kyle drives like a girl," Truex said. "I mean, come on. We're out here racing for fun. We had a hell of a battle. I had a lot of fun racing today with him, and then I had a huge run and he just blocked me. I pretty much knew he was going to do it. I had such a run and had to go."
It sounds like Truex is a fan of the movie "The Sandlot", in which one of the most familiar lines is "You play ball like a girl!".

Busch's comeback wasn't nearly as awesome:
"What else you going to do, man? " Busch said "Shoot, he's pushing me through the tri-oval, wanting to spin me out. I'm sorry I saved it and kept it in front of him. Grow up, bud. What do you want me to do, pull over? Next question."
Kyle's comeback lacked mainly because someone younger than someone else can't tell that other person to grow up. That just doesn't make sense.

Busch is 22 while Truex is 27.

If this turns into a nice rivalry, I can't wait for the short tracks.

Who Will the Daytona 500? Find out at the Fanhouse Warmup: Daytona 500.

%Gallery-7156%

Kyle Busch Drives Like a Girl, Truex Says originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>CampingWorld300Daytona500DaytonaSpeedweeksGeoffrey MillerSat, 16 Feb 2008 18:41:00 EST Dale Jr. Really Loves Teresa. Really.http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/02/01/dale-jr-really-loves-teresa-really/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/02/01/dale-jr-really-loves-teresa-really/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/02/01/dale-jr-really-loves-teresa-really/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last season, Texas Motor Speedway track president Eddie Gossage took some heat over his marketing campaign involving the IndyCar series race there.

In that instance, Gossage played on the fact that Danica Patrick and Dan Wheldon had had a verbal sparring match after the previous race in Texas with a "Dan vs. Danica" theme.

This time around, though, the players are much different.

In anticipation of April's Samsung 500 at Texas for the Sprint Cup series, TMS has been running an ad campaign called "reasons" and includes a picture of a driver and a reason why they want to win.

One of those drivers was Dale Earnhardt Jr. And TMS thought he wanted to win because of the way Junior parted ways in 2007 with his stepmom's team, Dale Earnhardt Inc.

The billboard used to show Junior and read "Reason No. 88: Stepmom".

Not so fast, says the Earnhardt Jr. camp:

TMS president Eddie Gossage said Thursday night that the billboards, part of a series of similar ads to promote the NASCAR Sprint Cup weekend at the track in April, will be changed after a request from Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, the driver's sister and business manager.

"The first thing I told her when I answered the phone was if you guys are uncomfortable with it, all you have to do is say the word," Gossage said. "We had a very pleasant talk."
And today, this story is all over the NASCAR world, meaning that Eddie Gossage won't be firing the employee who came up with this scheme. A promotion might be in order, actually.

That's good marketing.

The new schemes will show Earnhardt Jr. and read "Reason No. 88: New Car Smell".

Now that's funny. Dot. Dot. Dot.

Dale Jr. Really Loves Teresa. Really. originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>EddieGossageKelleyEarnhardtElledgeNASCARTracksSamsung500SpeedwayMotorsportsInc.TeresaEarnhardtTexasMotorSpeedwayGeoffrey MillerFri, 01 Feb 2008 08:23:00 EST Fanhouse You Ask 'Em, We Answer 'Em: Busch Points, Restricting & Black No. 3'shttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/01/09/fanhouse-you-ask-em-we-answer-em-busch-points-restricting-and/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/01/09/fanhouse-you-ask-em-we-answer-em-busch-points-restricting-and/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2008/01/09/fanhouse-you-ask-em-we-answer-em-busch-points-restricting-and/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We want your NASCAR questions! To get in the mix, simply drop us an email at this link. Just click and follow the directions!

Q: Hey guys! The winter break is very boring and it's good to see someone trying to do something about it. My question is: Do you think NASCAR would be the heading in the same direction if Dale Earnhardt was still around? It seems to me, with the Car of Tomorrow and the open-wheel guys, that all of the emotion and fun is gone from the sport! -- Tim (Iowa)

A: The Fanhouse certainly appreciates your question, Tim! And you're right, the winter break from NASCAR action gets a little tedious at times, but Daytona testing is here, so no worries!

As for Dale Earnhardt, I think that this sport would be in a very different state without his tragic death in 2001. Would that state be better or worse? I don't really know.

One thing is true, we lost one of the most recognizable and heroic figures of a sport. But with his tragic death, look at all the innovation that has come as a near direct result. HANS devices, SAFER barriers, and safer cars have all come out of the tragedy. In that sense, the sport has improved.

(Click the link the continue!)

As for emotion? Was the Daytona 500 finish a year ago not pressure-packed? Have there not been any good races since 2001? I think NASCAR has remained one of the most entertaining sports to watch just for the sheer fact of anything can and still does happen. I say, Tim, give NASCAR a chance with an open-mind in 2008 to see if you can spot some emotion and good racing. It's still there.

Q: Why is NASCAR so locked into using only restrictor plates and not other means of restricting speed? There's a mathematical formula for miles per hour, RPMs, wheel diameter, ignition boxes, and gear ratios. The present 'plate races are a wreck looking to happen and they become downright boring when you multiple lead changes in one lap. -- Reese (Augusta, Georgia)

A: Reese thanks for the question, but I've got to disagree with you right from the start. I think that you would find yourself in a very, very slim majority by calling restrictor plate races "boring" -- especially because of the multiple lead changes each lap. Isn't that a basic premise of racing, to have cars battle for the lead?

I have a feeling that if someone goes out and leads all 200 laps at Daytona in February that there will be a lot of complaining about boring racing. Lead changes are a necessity to keep racing entertaining.

Now, about the restrictor plates. Are they the best way to race? Probably not. But they are the only solution that NASCAR can come up right now. Now, the math you threw at me is way over my head and I'm glad you can comprehend stuff like that. But keep in mind, there's a lot of smart people in the NASCAR world, so if your suggestion is a possibility, I'd bet they are working on it. Thanks for the question!

Q: Since NASCAR has allowed Penske to give Kurt Busch's points to Sam Hornish Jr., how will this affect Dale Jarrett since he was planning on running the first six races on the champion provisional? -- Cindy (Canyon, Texas)

A: Great question, Cindy. If nothing else, the move by Penske (which was completely legal under NASCAR rules) was incredibly smart. Sam Hornish Jr. will now be locked in the field for the first five races of '08, which will help him tremendously.

As for DJ? It should light a fire under his and Michael Waltrip Racing's rear end. Hopefully, with the addition of Joe Gibbs Racing to the Toyota camp, MWR has been able to find -- if nothing else -- a little bit of speed on Friday for qualifying.

If not, Jarrett better hope that Kurt Busch can qualify well enough on speed for the first five races. If not, Jarrett will have to do the same, or face going home during his five-race retirement tour.

In reality, although not realistic, Dale Jarrett just needs to put his No. 44 on the pole for each race and all questions will be null and void as to if he can make the first five races. Thanks for the question!

Fanhouse You Ask 'Em, We Answer 'Em: Busch Points, Restricting & Black No. 3's originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>YouAskEmGeoffrey MillerWed, 09 Jan 2008 09:08:00 EST NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review: <br>Martin Truex Jr., No. 1 DEI Chevrolethttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/12/27/nascar-fanhouse-top-25-year-in-review-br-martin-truex-jr-no/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/12/27/nascar-fanhouse-top-25-year-in-review-br-martin-truex-jr-no/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/12/27/nascar-fanhouse-top-25-year-in-review-br-martin-truex-jr-no/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Welcome to the 2007 NASCAR FanHouse Year in Review. Follow along each day as we look back on the top 25 drivers of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for the 2007 season. Heck, bookmark us if you have to! Today, we review the season of 11th-place Martin Truex Jr.

Driver: Martin Truex Jr. -- Mayetta, New Jersey
Team: No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
Points: 11th (-559)
2006: 19th in Cup Standings
Key Stats: 1 win, 1 pole, 7 Top-5s, 14 Top-10s
Back in 2008?: Yes

2007 was a bit like Christmas Day for Martin Truex Jr. The Dale Earnhardt Inc. driver picked up not only his first career pole, but also his first career win at Dover in June.

With a little more good luck and a whole lot less bad, Truex easily could have competed for the Nextel Cup Series title.

Heading into the Chase, Truex turned in a nice streak of finishes that set him as a potential favorite for the 10-race playoff. The last five races before the Chase opener at New Hampshire saw Truex average an 8th-place finish and move from 11th to 7th in the point standings prior to Chase seeding.

A top-5 at New Hampshire led to a disappointing 13th-place finish at Dover due to a late race wreck. Truex got used to the bad luck quite quickly with finishes of 38th and 42nd at Kansas and Talladega. A finish of 31st at Atlanta dropped any high Chase finish hopes.

Truex rebounded in the last 3 races of 2007 with three consecutive Top-10s but even that wasn't enough to earn him a trip on the stage in New York for Nextel Cup Awards ceremony.

Truex's lone victory in 2007 came in a next-generation race car at Dover, which definitely sets a good precedent as Truex looks to assume the role of top dog at DEI in '08 with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s departure. 2008 should definitely be a very competitive one for Truex.

NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Martin Truex Jr., No. 1 DEI Chevrolet originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Top25DriversGeoffrey MillerThu, 27 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:<br>Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 8 DEI Chevrolethttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/12/19/nascar-top-25-year-in-review-br-dale-earnhardt-jr-no-8-dei-c/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/12/19/nascar-top-25-year-in-review-br-dale-earnhardt-jr-no-8-dei-c/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/12/19/nascar-top-25-year-in-review-br-dale-earnhardt-jr-no-8-dei-c/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Welcome to the 2007 NASCAR FanHouse Year in Review. Follow along each day until the end of 2007 as we look back on the top 25 drivers of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series for the 2007 season. Heck, bookmark us if you have to! Today, we review the season of 16th-place Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Kannapolis, North Carolina
Team: No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet
Points: 16th (-2794)
2006: Made Chase for Nextel Cup, Finished 5th
Key Stats: No wins, 1 pole, 7 Top-5s, 9 DNFs
Back in 2008?: Yes, but moving to Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet

2007 was the first time in a long, long time that a NASCAR driver from North Carolina did not win a race in its premier Cup Series.

Knowing that, it's pretty easy to sum-up Dale Jr.'s year on-track.

Frustrating.

Multiple blown engines, a lack of confidence in the setups, a next-generation race car that didn't particularly run well for DEI and others definitely brought down Dale Jr.'s performance. After all, not only did Junior not add North Carolina to the win column, but it was also his first ever full-time Cup Season that he found himself outside of the winner's circle.

It's not to say that Dale Jr. ran habitually bad, but more of an issue with being there consistently at the end of a race with a shot to win.

Who's to say if things would have been different had an extension with DEI been signed, but obviously, Dale Jr. likely isn't wondering what could have been for his 2007 for long as he knows that Hendrick power is at his disposal in 2008.

That's got to be a great feeling. (Click to read more)

Obviously, Dale Jr.'s departure from Dale Earnhardt Inc., the company that his dad formed, drew huge shockwaves across the NASCAR Nation -- from fans to sponsors and everywhere in between. Never before has a driver allowed no less than three press conferences in the same season to be nationally broadcast as a "breaking news" feature for mostly a few new changes.

But Dale Jr. indeed did, and he knows that 2008 will be a season where both himself and new team owner Rick Hendrick will expect to see great things. For a long time, Junior has been able to use the DEI-performance crutch so to speak, but with Hendrick, that doubt is gone.

Could he win the Daytona 500? Highly likely. Could he win the 2008 title? It wouldn't be a shock.

Obviously, though, one thing is clear for Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans -- he's got loads more opportunity than he's ever had in 2008 for the small price of having to dress a little nicer to meet Mr. Hendrick's guidelines.

NASCAR FanHouse Top 25 Year-in-Review:
Dale Earnhardt Jr., No. 8 DEI Chevrolet originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Geoffrey MillerWed, 19 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST And Now for This Surprise: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wins 5th-Straight Most Popular Driver Awardhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/11/30/and-now-for-this-surprise-dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-5th-straight/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/11/30/and-now-for-this-surprise-dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-5th-straight/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/11/30/and-now-for-this-surprise-dale-earnhardt-jr-wins-5th-straight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

NASCAR fans don't care about wins, poles, or championships for their favorite drivers.

Performance on the track? Well, it's kind of important, but not nearly as important as having multiple television commercials, a pretty-darned famous last name, and a down-home attitude and look.

For those reasons, Dale Earnhardt Jr. just won his fifth-straight NMPA Chex Most Popular Driver award Thursday in New York City. Junior gave his obligatory remarks on winning his 5th-straight popularity contest that came as a surprise to -- well -- no one.
"When I became a Cup driver in 1999, I never would've imagined that we'd be talking about five consecutive Most Popular Driver awards. I have a special place at JR Motorsports where I put the MPD trophies, so I'm honored to add another one to the collection," said Junior.

"I don't want it to sound like a cliché, but this award really does mean a lot to me after all we have been through this year. This year has marked a significant transition in my life and career [...]"

You do kind of have to feel sorry for the folks at the NMPA because of the absolute domination that Junior holds on the contest. According to this article, of nearly 3.8 million votes cast online for each of the top 50 drivers in NASCAR, Dale Jr. managed to pull in 1.4 million of those -- nearly a third of the votes cast.

In other words? Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to have to start building a new room onto JR Motorsports to house the trophies from the popularity contest he is bound to continue winning for a long time.

This victory, of course, comes during the year when Dale Jr. was the single-most talked about driver on the planet because of his departing of Dale Earnhardt Inc. for greener pastures at Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 -- a move that precipitated over several months.

The move, Earnhardt hopes, will take him from his zero-win 16th-place 2007 series finish to contending for wins and championships.

And Now for This Surprise: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Wins 5th-Straight Most Popular Driver Award originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>chexjuniormost popular driverMostPopularDrivermountain dewMountainDewnascar awardsNascarAwardsnational guardNationalGuardnew york cityNewYorkCityNMPANo. 88No.88tony eury jr.TonyEuryJr.Geoffrey MillerFri, 30 Nov 2007 06:32:00 EST DEI Plans to Engineer Their Way Back Into Competitionhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/11/08/dei-plans-to-engineer-their-way-back-into-competition/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/11/08/dei-plans-to-engineer-their-way-back-into-competition/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/11/08/dei-plans-to-engineer-their-way-back-into-competition/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to FoxSports Lee Spencer, Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced major organizational moves designed to place greater emphasis on engineering and technology.
"We're taking the necessary steps now in order to go out and win a championship in 2008."
Oh, now they want to take the necessary steps. Now that the rising star of the family-owned business--my bad, I mean stars--have left the building.

DEI Vice President of Global Operations, Max Siegel:
"We've been working on the plan for a long time. We're putting a huge emphasis on engineering. If all of this doesn't speak to our commitment to motorsports, I don't know what will."
Well loddy-freaking-dah. You couldn't have started this, I don't know, LAST YEAR?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. supposedly isn't bitter:
After two more races, the team will sever official ties with the 33-year-old who once stood first in its line of succession. There aren't many lingering feelings of bitterness or betrayal - just a difference of opinion on how to do business.
Well, I'm bitter. And I've been left to wonder, "What if ...?," for a long time to come.
What if Teresa Earnhardt, et. al. had listened to Junior when he first started voicing his opinion on the deteriorating development at DEI? What if it hadn't come to him pushing for half the company in an attempt to gain more control over the competition side? What if DEI had made improvements while he was still there and saw Junior to a championship on the team his father started?

We shall never know. Much like we'll never know the answer to the February 18, 2001 "What if ...?" that continues to loom over NASCAR nation.

Such is life. With life comes change. With change comes growth. With growth come growing pains. Right now, TEI is a growing pain in my side. Even so, I remain optimistic that something good always comes from change. At least that's what the H.A.N.S. device keeps whispering in my ear.

DEI Plans to Engineer Their Way Back Into Competition originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tallglassofmilkThu, 08 Nov 2007 10:08:00 EST Is DEI Giving Junior Horses or Hamsters?http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/10/26/is-dei-giving-junior-horses-or-hamsters/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/10/26/is-dei-giving-junior-horses-or-hamsters/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/10/26/is-dei-giving-junior-horses-or-hamsters/#commentsFiled under: , ,


What do you suppose DEI pulled out of the Garage Mahal and put under Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s hood this weekend?

Will he get an engine that lays all it's cylinders on the track up front and craps out before the halfway mark like in Fontana? Or will he get a teaser that takes him all the way to the end providing hope of a top 5 finish only to give up on the last lap like last weekend in Martinsville?

It's quite laughable that the #8 car was labeled still running in the Subway 500 results, but I guess that's accurate--it did, after all, sprint backwards from the fourth position to a 23rd place finish. But if the race had been even one lap longer, this would have been his eighth DNF of the season--seven due to engine failures.

Is it enough for conspiracy theories? Depends on who you ask. It's sure enough for Dale Jr. fans--and any other NASCAR fan whose got brain enough to recognize his talent and ability to put the car at the front of the pack.

Whatever it is they got him running in Atlanta was good enough for a top 5 start. But will it be good enough for a top 5 finish?

Is DEI Giving Junior Horses or Hamsters? originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>atlanta motor speedwayAtlantaMotorSpeedwaycalifornia speedwayCaliforniaSpeedwaymartinsville speedwayMartinsvilleSpeedwayPep Boys Auto 500PepBoysAuto500subway 500Subway500tallglassofmilkFri, 26 Oct 2007 21:26:00 EST Eury Jr. to Hendrick After 'Dega; Junior Too?http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/20/eury-jr-to-hendrick-after-talladega-junior-too/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/20/eury-jr-to-hendrick-after-talladega-junior-too/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/20/eury-jr-to-hendrick-after-talladega-junior-too/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that we've got all of the -- um -- important details out the way, the focus of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s voyage to Hendrick Motorsports has reached a point that matters.

The competitive side. You know -- the side that Dale Earnhardt Jr. actually left Dale Earnhardt Inc. in favor of Hendrick for in the first place?

First off, Earnhardt's current and future crew chief at Hendrick Tony Eury Jr. will be released from his duties at DEI. following the Oct. 7 race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Eury, who has been Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car or crew chief for all but one season since the two broke into the Nextel Cup Series in 2000, will step down after the Oct. 7 race at Talladega Superspeedway.

He will be allowed to take four members of Earnhardt's No. 8 team with him under a deal made by DEI when it agreed to free him contractually to join Earnhardt at HMS in 2008.
According to the article, only one team member has told DEI that they will departing with Eury Jr.

The jump for Eury Jr. will work out nicely as he'll not only get a head start at Hendrick, but Earnhardt Jr. may be in a Hendrick ride following the last October race in Atlanta.

NASCAR has scheduled a Car of Tomorrow test at the track for the following Monday:
The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday that Rick Hendrick is considering asking car owners involved in the forthcoming driver changes to agree to a plan that would let Earnhardt Jr. test in a Hendrick car of tomorrow at Atlanta Motor Speedway next month.

The idea would be for Earnhardt Jr. to test for Hendrick, Kyle Busch to test for Joe Gibbs Racing, J.J. Yeley to test for Hall of Fame Racing and Regan Smith to test in the Dale Earnhardt Jr. car he'll be driving next year.
While the deal does sound pretty fair all around, it seems there might be too many eggs in the basket for it to completely work right.

Don't ya just love silly season?

Eury Jr. to Hendrick After 'Dega; Junior Too? originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>AMPAtlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlantaMotorSpeedwayDale Earnhardt Jr.DaleEarnhardtJr.J.J. YeleyJ.j.YeleyMountain DewMountainDewNational GuardNationalGuardNextel CupNextelCupNo. 88No.88Regan SmithReganSmithRick HendrickRickHendrickTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladegaSuperspeedwayTony Eury Jr.TonyEuryJr.Geoffrey MillerThu, 20 Sep 2007 19:59:00 EST Blaney Can't Finish and Other Regurgitationshttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/11/blaney-cant-finish-and-other-regurgitations/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/11/blaney-cant-finish-and-other-regurgitations/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/11/blaney-cant-finish-and-other-regurgitations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Blaney Confused, But We Know
Dave Blaney can't believe his team is still struggling for a spot in the top 35:

"Honestly, with 10 races left, I can't believe we're sitting here fighting for a spot in the top 35 because this Caterpillar team has run so much better than that so many times. Tommy has done a great job of bringing good cars to the track every week, but we've just had so many problems either finishing races at all or finishing them in one piece."

Um .. yeah. I think that's what I said. I'll be rooting for Ken Schrader this weekend.

Ragan 14, Montoya 11
I meant to include Lead Lap Finishes in my rookie chart the other day, but forgot. I was reminded today when I read The Juan Pablo "Crash" Montoya Running Incident Report on The Black Flag Blog.

He gets what in his contract?
The Nemechek//Marlin suits against Ginn/DEI provide a rare inside glimpse into the structure of drivers' contracts.

DEI Engines Blow
Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn't the only one who gets bad engines at DEI. Martin Truex Jr. blew one in testing at Talladega on Monday ... and another last month at Iowa. Those are the engines they give Junior on race day.

Blaney Can't Finish and Other Regurgitations originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>tallglassofmilkTue, 11 Sep 2007 20:49:00 EST DEI/Ginn Next In Line at NASCAR Courthttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/11/dei-ginn-next-in-line-at-nascar-court/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/11/dei-ginn-next-in-line-at-nascar-court/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/11/dei-ginn-next-in-line-at-nascar-court/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that we've got NASCAR, Sprint, and AT&T to settle their legal differences, it's only appropriate to get another going, right?

A few former employees of Ginn Racing think so. And good for them, too.

Former drivers Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin in addition to former Ginn crew chiefs Peter Sospenzo and Richard "Slugger" Labbe have filed suit claiming breach of contract because Ginn apparently hasn't paid what's due to them.
Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek have sued Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. for alleged breaches of their contracts, which included a base salary of $1.2 million apiece.

The separate suits, filed Sept. 7 in Cabarrus County, N.C., do not specify how much they have been paid or what they exactly are owed.
Ginn Racing and DEI joined forces prior to the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in July. Some folks in the garage area estimated anywhere from 70 to over 120 employees at Ginn were terminated in the merger that lacked in the merge department.

It was essentially a DEI takeover of all things Ginn.

Hopefully the rest of the employees who worked the nine to fivers out of the spotlight are taking action against Ginn as well.

They deserve so much better than an outside real estate mogul buying into NASCAR and failing to realize the massive responsibility of the sport.

DEI/Ginn Next In Line at NASCAR Court originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bobby GinnBobbyGinnJoe NemechekJoeNemechekNew Hampshire International SpeedwayNewHampshireInternationalSpeedwayPeter SospenzoPeterSospenzoSlugger LabbeSluggerLabbeSterling MarlinSterlingMarlinGeoffrey MillerTue, 11 Sep 2007 07:36:00 EST Lame Duck Out of Chase, DEI Shifts Prioritieshttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/09/lame-duck-out-of-chase-dei-shifts-priorities/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/09/lame-duck-out-of-chase-dei-shifts-priorities/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/09/09/lame-duck-out-of-chase-dei-shifts-priorities/#commentsFiled under: , ,

"I don't want to drive this car anymore for the rest of the year if I don't have to."
~ Dale Earnhardt Jr., over his in-car radio during the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway
My heart stopped when I heard Junior say those words yesterday. It has been my hope, and the hope of all of Junior Nation, since his announcement in May that he would finish the season at DEI in the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet.

As it turns out, that's still Junior's hope, too. When he said he didn't want to drive the car anymore, he actually meant that specific car--the seat makes his back hurt. Phew. Although, at this point I wouldn't have any issues with him jumping ship right now. Even if Hendrick couldn't put him in a car, someone would.

For now, it seems Junior will still finish the 2007 season with DEI. But he won't be a priority. Within just a few hours of missing the Chase, Junior's spotter was reassigned to "help Truex around the garage." It could the first of many changes. A few members of Junior Nation are up in arms about this. To them I must say, "What's the worst that could happen? He already can't get an engine to finish a race."
"We've been a top-five car and a top-five team almost every week and yet we struggled with engines that wouldn't get us to the finish line. I'm really sad for my fans, but especially for my team. If you knew how hard they have all worked this year, and to run as well as we have, it breaks my heart. "
Ours, too. DEI gave him five crappy engines that couldn't go the distance this season. Finishing even one of those races could have made the difference in the race to the Chase.

T.J. Majors, Junior's buddy and spotter for the JRM #88 NAVY team, will replace Hmiel for the last 10 races and I'm sure Junior will smack any additional curve balls out of the park accordingly. But 2008 can't get here fast enough for Junior Nation.

Lame Duck Out of Chase, DEI Shifts Priorities originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>teresa earnhardtTeresaEarnhardttj majorsTjMajorstallglassofmilkSun, 09 Sep 2007 13:46:00 EST Regan Smith Not Getting Shafted by DEIhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/30/regan-smith-not-getting-shafted-by-dei/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/30/regan-smith-not-getting-shafted-by-dei/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/30/regan-smith-not-getting-shafted-by-dei/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When the DEI takeover merger of Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Ginn Racing happened at the end of July, Regan Smith had just secured a Cup ride for the remainder of the season in a Ginn Chevrolet.

Abruptly, those plans were halted and Smith was essentially taken out of a job he hadn't even gotten a chance at yet. Granted somewhere around 70 Ginn Racing employees did lose their jobs in the process, it still had to be a blow to the driver who had already lost his Busch ride despite his best start ever in the series.

Thursday, though, came word of good news for the New York-born driver. DEI and Smith have a verbal agreement for a ride in the No. 01 car for 2008.

Regan Smith was finalizing a deal Thursday to drive the No. 01 for Dale Earnhardt Inc. next season.

Smith has verbally agreed to a one-year contract that includes a team option for two more seasons. The deal is expected to be announced next weekend at Richmond International Raceway, where DEI is planning to announce its entire 2008 lineup.
A one-year deal with a second-year option is better than nothing, right?

Hopefully DEI can give Smith equipment that he has a fighting shot with, and not the same stuff that Paul Menard currently pilots.

Regan Smith Not Getting Shafted by DEI originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Ginn RacingGinnRacingGeoffrey MillerThu, 30 Aug 2007 11:40:00 EST 3+8=38 and Other Car Number Mathhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/27/3-8-38-and-other-car-number-math/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/27/3-8-38-and-other-car-number-math/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/27/3-8-38-and-other-car-number-math/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bob Dilner reported last night that Hendrick Motor Sports has requested the #38 from Robert Yates Racing for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I think he's on to something ... but the chatter in my inbox suggests that RYR offered the #38 up to HMS and will acquire the rights to the #89, which is currently assigned to Morgan Shepherd but hasn't been run in 2007. Yates would then have the #88 and #89 in Sprint Cup and the #90 in the Busch Series.

Since he can't get the #8, I have to guess that having his daddy's number along side his own has got to be the next best thing for Junior. That ought to even satisfy the fans that continually beg him to drive the #3 made famous by Dale Earnhardt.

Can he still make a connection to his grandfather in the #38? Well, Ralph drove a 1938 Chevrolet making a name for himself on the short tracks of North Carolina. That ought to count for something.

I don't suppose I need to mention the difference between 8 and 3 is 5. Rick Hendrick, for whom the #5 holds sentimental value, will still have that number in Busch to honor his son, the late Ricky Hendrick, who, incidentally, ran 38 Busch Series races in his career.

3+8=38 and Other Car Number Math originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>ralph earnhardtRalphEarnhardtrick hendrickRickHendrickricky hendrickRickyHendricktallglassofmilkMon, 27 Aug 2007 08:49:00 EST Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Back Off Daddy's Widowhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/25/junior-to-media-back-off-daddys-widow/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/25/junior-to-media-back-off-daddys-widow/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/25/junior-to-media-back-off-daddys-widow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yes Junior is bummed he isn't getting the #8. Yes he feels for those fans who have tattooed the #8 on their person. But ... he wants everybody to lay off his step-mother, Teresa--the one who made taking the #8 to Hendrick Motorsports impossible:

"I do want to say that I think it's about time we give Teresa a break. She makes the decision on that number because she owns it and as much as I am disappointed and frustrated over the fact that I don't get to keep driving the No. 8, the stuff that I read on the Internet and the stuff that I'm hearing is going on, the remarks about her, directed toward her, I don't think anybody deserves that."
Stuff like "ridiculously spiteful b*tch," and "evil step mom" and remarks like "Teresa Earnhardt should be tarred and feathered. She's acting like an ex-wife rather than a widow."
"If people just take a step back and look, she hasn't done anything intentionally detrimental to me."
Intentional being the key word.
"I've got a good future, I've got a good opportunity in my hands, she's doing what she feels like she needs to do and I just think everybody needs to lay off a little bit. She was married to my daddy and I know he wouldn't be too happy about it, what's going on, what's being said about her. It bothers me a little bit."
Well, when he puts it like that ... it bothers me a little more. I don't think Dale Sr. would be too happy about how things transpired at DEI that led to Junior leaving either. Shouldn't we start there? Isn't that where the instinct to jump in and protect Junior from the actions of the evil step-monster comes in?

In his chat with the media Friday morning, Junior acknowledged that he and Teresa don't understand each other--that she underestimates his determination. Likewise, he doesn't understand everything she does--but he accepts it.

Teresa is a big girl. She could defend her decisions. She doesn't. Save the time she blind-sided Junior with a Wall Street Journal interview questioning his commitment to racing, she doesn't really talk to the media. We are then left to make judgments based on what Junior and Max Siegel tell us. If Teresa was more accessible and forthcoming, maybe it wouldn't be so tempting for the media to throw labels on her.

Junior, on the other hand, wears his heart on the sleeve of his firesuit. And at the end of the day, after everything his daddy's widow has seemingly put him through, he still has a desire to protect her. She is, after all, family. And it's what his daddy would want.

It's more of the kind of behavior that endears fans to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and make him NASCAR's most popular driver--regardless of his performance behind the wheel. But I can't promise that I'll be able to oblige his request, although it should get progressively easier from here on out.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Back Off Daddy's Widow originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>NASCAR WAGsNascarWagsteresa earnhardtTeresaEarnhardttallglassofmilkSat, 25 Aug 2007 06:00:00 EST Great Work If You Can Get Ithttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/23/great-work-if-you-can-get-it/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/23/great-work-if-you-can-get-it/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/23/great-work-if-you-can-get-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's been quite a month for Aric Almirola.

He went from having no Nextel Cup ride, to having a third-rate Cup ride to possibly taking over what is now the most popular Cup ride on the circuit.

According to Marty Smith, DEI might solve their "too many drivers not enough cars and lack of a new high-caliber driver to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr." with the most obvious solution: putting veteran Mark Martin behind the wheel of the #8.

DEI President Max Siegel:
"If there's anyone that would represent Dale Earnhardt Inc. and what the No. 8 means to this company it would be Mark Martin."
Martin doesn't want a full-time Cup ride, though, so he'd split the season with Almirola, but nothing is written in stone yet.

The car would be sponsored by The Army and presumably this means that Regan Smith could still have a job driving the #01 for 2008 with sponsor TBD. But, it sounds like DEI is keeping their "several options" open and is still looking at Greg Biffle for 2009.

Almirola will make his DEI debut Saturday night in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the #01. I don't know what to make of his racing abilities yet since I haven't seen him race too much and he hasn't completed even one full season in any NASCAR series. But I do know he's gonna have to work his a** off to get the same kind of love showered on the #8 car as it gets now.

Great Work If You Can Get It originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>aric almirolaAricAlmirolabristol motor speedwayBristolMotorSpeedwaymax siegelMaxSiegelsharpie 500Sharpie500tallglassofmilkThu, 23 Aug 2007 21:29:00 EST Racin' and Rainin' Do Not Go Togetherhttp://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/20/racin-and-rainin-do-not-go-together/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/20/racin-and-rainin-do-not-go-together/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/20/racin-and-rainin-do-not-go-together/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This rain is for the birds!

Not only was the race postponed again, but so was DEI testing at Iowa Speedway tomorrow and Wednesday. Surely, that isn't a big deal to most, but for the past week I've been listening to my 10-year-old my niece visiting from my home state talking about how she finally gets to meet her aunt's favorite driver on Tuesday after she's back from her Socal vacation.

Now Dale Earnhardt Jr., et. al. are stuck in Michigan and next week when they finally do make it to Iowa, my niece will be in school and unable to attend. Total bummer.

Total bummer for the fans in Michigan, too, who are floating away or, gasp, had to skip town already to get back to work without even getting to see the race. How's that for an anti-climatic race weekend?

And what if they don't get it in at all this week? Is it time for NASCAR to start scheduling snow rain days?

Belated Thanks
Huge thanks to Geoffrey Miller for holding down the NASCAR Fanhouse while I was riding Space Mountain at Disneyland, California Screamin' and Soarin' at California Adventure, hiking off the beaten path in Griffith Park, lounging at Zuma Beach, walking the boardwalk and collecting sea shells in Redondo Beach and doing other Hollywood touristy things with the family. It was nice not to have to think about the Fanhouse for a bit.

Meanwhile, we could use a little rain here in Southern California. How 'bout it, Ma Nature?

Racin' and Rainin' Do Not Go Together originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>3m performance 4003mPerformance400michigan international speedwayMichiganInternationalSpeedwaytallglassofmilkMon, 20 Aug 2007 19:40:00 EST Junior: Teresa's No. 8 Negotiations "Ridiculous"http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/19/junior-teresas-no-8-negotiations-ridiculous/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/19/junior-teresas-no-8-negotiations-ridiculous/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/19/junior-teresas-no-8-negotiations-ridiculous/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened up his mouth today to the media about this week's announcement that Junior wouldn't be able to be in the No. 8 after his move to Hendrick Motorsports this year.

Generally, when Junebug lets the world know his true feelings, there's not a lot to be held back, and he'll just about always shoot it straight.

He didn't seem to miss this weekend at Michigan when asked about not getting the No. 8 for his use.
"She either feels too personal about the number, or the rift between me and her is too personal," Earnhardt Jr. said Saturday. "I'm not going to sit here and get personal about this. It's upsetting as hell and unfortunate, but that's just what happens sometimes."
He didn't stop there, either.
Earnhardt Jr. said negotiations broke down when Teresa asked for part of the licensing revenue, along with wanting the number back after he retired.

"Just ridiculous kind of requests," Earnhardt Jr. said. "We just wanted the number, but I was willing to give the number back when I was done driving. I wouldn't have any use for it personally."

The business side of me wants to say that Junior really doesn't have much of a leg to stand on. After all, he decided to leave the team for a better opportunity and he expects the car number to follow suit with him.
But on the other hand, Junior does have a point in that the number has been carried in his family's legacy for both his father and grandfather.

Aside from not wanting to buy new merchandise, should Junior have had increased rights to his number, or did leaving the team is father built naturally take him out of that number -- and rightfully so?

What say you?

Junior: Teresa's No. 8 Negotiations "Ridiculous" originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Geoffrey MillerSun, 19 Aug 2007 00:54:00 EST Junior Won't Drive the No. 8http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/16/junior-wont-drive-the-no-8/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/16/junior-wont-drive-the-no-8/http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2007/08/16/junior-wont-drive-the-no-8/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Gather the kids, sound the alarms -- for Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself will not be piloting a car with a No. 8 emblazoned on the side in 2008.

Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that Junior's new ride (yeah, we know it's a Chevrolet, and that's about it) won't be carrying the number that would seemingly never leave the driver.
"We've been working hard to secure the No. 8 for Dale Jr.'s car number next season," said Marshall Carlson, general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. "Obviously, he has a tremendous history with that number, and we know how important it is to his fans. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach a point where the terms made sense, and now we have to move forward with other options.

"We appreciate the efforts of Max Siegel and his team (at Dale Earnhardt Inc.), and are excited about unveiling our plans for 2008 in the near future."
I guess this means that the folks campaigning to "Free the 8" -- because it's obviously the most important thing that people in society need to join behind, right? -- have not succeeded in their soon-to-be efforts to raid and destroy Dale Earnhardt Inc.Maybe, just maybe, those Junior crazies could focus on better things in NASCAR -- like, say, the racing itself?

Who's really going to care if Junior isn't in the No. 8 anymore? Sure, it'll hurt some in the pocketbook for souvenirs come 2008, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. will continue to be Dale Earnhardt Jr.

What more does the Junior Nation need? An assortment of tissues and a DEI engine that lasts for a race?

That's what we call progress.

Junior Won't Drive the No. 8 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Geoffrey MillerThu, 16 Aug 2007 13:02:00 EST