I have always been a Dale Jr fan because of his driving and his personality. I think it was in 2005 that he had won a race and during the post race interview he said the word shit… not in anger or in vengeance , but in excitement. He was fined both points and money and eventually the loss of the points took him out of the chase. It was at that time that NASCAR mandated a 5 second audio delay.
I was very angered by the situation and its effects, I felt that it was NASCARS fault not Jr’s. First why didn’t NASCAR have the audio delay in effect long before that, there is commentators fallowing the drivers all over the place except the rest room, sticking a microphone in their face and asking the all sorts of dumb questions. What did they expect, they couldn’t see the potential for that to happen?? A driver has just spent three or more hours doing about 200 mph and they put a microphone in his face even before he’s out of the car…if it was me they would probably hear a lot more than just the word shit come out of my mouth/
I would think that NASCAR as well as the crew chiefs would protect the drivers and give them a ‘no contact cool down period’ for the first 5 minutes following a race where they have a chance to collect their thoughts, get rid of the shakes, cool tempers down etc.
Tony Stewart has also fallen victim to the microphone and has gotten fined… BUT .. There was a time when during a race Tony had gotten sick and had an accident in his fire suit. Tony radio’d in at the end of the race that he didn’t want anyone around when he came in and that he needed to get to his bus asap. The team had a golf cart parked waiting and when Tony pulled in he quickly got out of his car & to the cart to be taken to his bus.. But not without tv cameras and a commentator following him. My God, couldn’t they give the guy some privacy and consideration.
Since the time of Jr’s slip of the tongue I noticed a very big change in Dale, he just wasn’t himself any more. Since then he has taken his time talking, being very deliberate and choosing his words very carefully during an interview.. And he kept his comments and opinions to himself… He just wasn’t the same anymore.
The following report came out last Tuesday and it would seem that Jr;s tired of it and tired of being pushed, pulled, second guessed, criticized and hounded !! And it seems that some of the real Dale Jr is coming out.. And personally I hope it continues and he gets back to his normal self and have some fun racing. After I read this I couldn’t help but thinking way to go Dale…you tell ’em, ..Its about friggin time !! So I hope you enjoy his comments and feel the same way…..
Championship slipping away for Earnhardt at DEI
By JENNA FRYER, AP Auto Racing Writer
August 26, 2007
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- After his best finish in almost a month, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had one thing on his mind.
``I'm ready to go home, get on the lake!'' he said, pumping his fist.
But as Earnhardt enjoyed a rare Sunday off from Nextel Cup racing, he was faced with the harsh realization that his last chance to win a championship for Dale Earnhardt Inc. is slipping away.
Carl Edwards clinched a berth for the Chase for the championship by winning Saturday night's race at Bristol Motor Speedway, leaving Earnhardt farther from contention with his fifth-place finish. With only two races to go before the championship field is set, Earnhardt is 158 points away from the 12th and final qualifying spot.
He knows that not making the Chase is considered professional failure -- Earnhardt lived it during a miserable 2005 season -- and dreads what the final 10 weeks of the season will be like if he again isn't eligible to run for the title.
``When we don't make it, everybody makes a big deal out of it,'' he said. ``They talk about it pre-race. They talk about it post-race. It's a bummer when you see that and have to watch that and read it and what not. You kind of want to go under the radar when you can't get it done.''
But NASCAR's most popular driver can't ever go under the radar. His every move is scrutinized, and Earnhardt is convinced the credit for his success isn't nearly as great as the criticism for his failures.
Despite 17 career victories, a Daytona 500 win and two Busch Series championships, Earnhardt is often judged by his inability to win a Cup title. The closest he came was third in 2003, and he's not seriously contended since a brief run at the title in the inaugural 2004 Chase.
``Y'all make it pretty miserable because that's all y'all talk about,'' he told reporters Saturday night. ``I shouldn't tell you that you dictate my mood. But now you know.''
And if Earnhardt fails to make the Chase for the second time in three years, he'll be faced with the fact that he'll likely never win a Cup title for his late father's team. He's leaving DEI at the end of this season to drive for Hendrick Motorsports, where he's got a five-year contract and hopes to finish his career there.
His relationship with his stepmother is a bitter rollercoaster ride -- he blasted Teresa Earnhardt a week ago for not letting him take his No. 8 with him to Hendrick, then on Friday implored fans to halt their Internet attacks against her. It seems unlikely he'll drive for DEI again.
When he said in May he would leave at the end of the year, he promised to go hard the rest of the year. That won't change the next two weeks as he tries to knock Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. or Kurt Busch out of the Chase.
``All I can do is be (aggressive) and run as good as I can run,'' Earnhardt said.
Edwards believes Earnhardt has the right attitude and that Busch, currently 12th, should keep a close eye on his rearview mirror.
