“We’re not really where we want to be as a sport. We need to do things to excite corporate America. Excite the fans. We need to be pro-active. Immediately.” If I didn’t know any better, I would have sworn these words, on first glance, came from the resident curmudgeons of NASCAR Nation like “Mad Mikie” or Matt Mc Laughlin. Do you know where they really came from?
They came from a driver. NASCAR’s most popular driver- the Pied Piper of NASCAR. “King Daddy” as he once said in a TV commercial.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. said this.
Regardless of whether or not you question the means by which he gained his notoriety, regardless of what you think of his driving skills, regardless of what you think of him as a person, if you’re a fan frustrated by the quality of racing, you should applaud Earnhardt sticking his neck out there and calling on the powers that be on this.
If you think about it, he’s in the perfect position to call on NASCAR as he has to “…turn
over every stone…and that includes this COT – and how this car evolves. I’ve just had a sense of urgency over the past few weeks of needing to do better. “The car is really safe, and there are great characteristics about it. But we need to look at opportunities, at what we can do to make it even better.” As it stands, Junior is 25th in the points, so he has nothing to lose. I mean its not like its going to upset the apple cart if the powers that be engage him in a war of words on this matter- which I actually doubt would happen. Earnhardt also has I am quite sure an awareness of his standing with other drivers and the fans. A third generation NASCAR driver, he has a unique position to speak on the state of the sport.
“We need to open our eyes a little bit, everyone. The media could address it stronger. The drivers could be more vocal about it. NASCAR could probably be a little more urgent in improving our product – for great exciting racing, that the fans can enjoy, that the drivers can enjoy.”
It’s been said you draw a lot more flies with honey than you vinegar. To his credit, Earnhardt applauded NASCAR’s decision to go to the shoot-out style double file restarts. It does provide an example that the NASCAR brass is aware of the criticisms and they can be responsive. It’s a good first step. There needs to be more.
I’d agree with Junior. If I ran NASCAR for a day, the first thing I’d do is vary up some of the track configurations, which again, I’d say would be worth the investment in drawing fans to the tracks (anyone in California listening?). I’d also lose the top 35 qualifying rule, and then- as Earnhardt has alluded to- I’d open up work on the car. I’d also agree that just like NASCAR did with the “double file” re-starts, the time to get on it is now. Nothing is gained by dawdling.
Some will argue Earnhardt is just whining because of the season he’s having. to thsoe with that criticism, I’d ask this question: “Forget that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the messenger. Do you agree with his statements that the state of NASCAR racing is not up to par with what you’ve been use to in the past?” If you agree, then who better than the sport’s most popular figure to bear the message.
I see that Mike Helton has responded to Jr.’s comments. Helton says he agrees with Junior’s statements that NASCAR should always be on the lookout to make the racing better. He parts company with Earnhardt on the matter of the new car. Helton says no drastic changes are in order and he further infers that such changes would be detrimental to cash-strapped teams.
![What-Me-Worry[1]](http://bump-drafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/what-me-worry1.jpg)
Speaking as a commentator- this reaction concerns me. For the disgruntled fan, and I continually see article after article how many there are, it will be seen as NASCAR being dismissive in running the sport. In fact, the accompanying illustration here I received this week from the aforementioned “Mad Mikie” of Laid Back Racin’- which you’ll often find links for on the “Articles” page at Jayski’s may say it all.
Speaking as a fan, I’m in it for the long haul. If you know me, I’m more of the eternal optimist than part of the curmudgeon class. That’s just how I roll. I can unearth a positive story line out of a boring race and focus on that, no problem. We had other races that maybe had some dull moments that were punctuated by dramatic finishes (see the last Michigan race for reference).
By the same token, I am only telling half the story if I don’t acknowledge unhappy fans and also shine the light on one of the sport’s biggest names in joining in the chorus. Like it or not, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a pretty big bullhorn and he’s put it to use.
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Wow, great minds think alike, except the Earnhardt name has a hell of a lot more pull than mine lol
Sounds like a whinning 25th place has been, who never will be. Just SHUT-UP and drive JR.
Jr was correct on all points. Mike Helton is nearsighted, and Overra88ted is a p
Jr was correct on all points, Mike Helton is nearsighted, and Overra88ed is a p
Jr was right on all points, Mike Helton is being nearsighted, and Overra88ed is a p*** ant. Just step on him.
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@Overrated. You ever heard of the First Amendment? The guy can say what he wants. Just because he says something doesn’t mean anyone is duty bound to print it or record it. Sounds like a double standard to me. I wonder if you’d say the same thing about Harvick- who’s won 7 fewer races and doesn’t have a championship? I don’t think you would.
Overrated or not, his word have a ring of the truth. All this being said, the problems of the car are the result of NASCAR’s policies and habits of years past when they would make certain concessions to teams in the interest of parity. They’re all just slot cars now.
Back in the day, if a team felt like one brand had an advantage, they’d switch. Why do you think Richard Petty raced for Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler, Pontiac, and whatever other brand he chose? It’s because he felt like at the time, those brands had an advantage. If you felt like Fords were slower than Chevy, you made the change you needed to win races. That changed when Roush and etc. began lobbying for aero changes or engine modifications.
Those days have run their course, and they might as well all be running the same thing–because they are the same. If Kahne can have a photo shoot with a Toyota without a big deal being made of it in the shop, it just goes to show you that everything’s the same. Want to change brands? Just change the stickers. It’s a problem NASCAR created, and only they can fix it–and sometimes the best fix is just to get out of the way.
The problem isn’t that JR is overrated or whatever–the words would be no less valid if Dick Trickle said them. Truthfully, the racing stinks–all the tracks are the same–Bristol’s ruined–and the cars, while only part of the story, are a large part of it, nonetheless. Makes no difference who says it–the truth is not relevant to the person communicating the truth. Roush said it best–”These new rules haven’t saved me any money.”
Too bad some people think Dale Jr. is just another country bumpkin…they are so totally wrong. He is a well educated man and he comes from a family of Champions. He does not drive on the coatails of his father or grandfather. He has been around racing all his life so he knows of what he speaks. There are so many other drivers that are backing up what he says and feel that NASCAR needs to make changes or the sport will lose it’s popularity and fade away . Listen to the drivers and bring back the excitement the fans are looking for, or the vacancy in the grand stands will continue to fall. Remember that without fans or drivers there is no NASCAR.
The argument about saving the teams money doesn’t hold water. If NASCAR is so intent on saving the teams money they wouldn’t be introducing a new car in a handful of Nationwide races next year.
NASCAR holds a meeting asking the owners and drivers for input but then the only thing they change is the double-file restarts. If this is as good as the racing gets NASCAR has a lot more empty seats in their future.
At this rate I see a lot more museums in NASCAR’s future.
Jim….. The First amendment is what’s great about America, even a trash talking average, 20th-someplace driver with a famous last name can speak his mind and his lemming-like fans will blindly kiss his a**. FYI….. Harvick is one of my driver’s, but I will tell you flat out what held Harvick back early in his career, was Kevin Harvick. Many times in 2002-205, the best thing he could have done was to shut up and drive.
(Comment deleted by editor). …..Overra88ed. You crossed a line. Ginger was obviously returning fire after you made inflammatory comments about who I assume is her favorite driver. The two of you were even in my opinion before this comment.
Stick to the subject….both of you.
@Overrated. I understand what you’re saying, Junior has bigger fish to fry- HOWEVER I think the points you and your JR-bashing buddies are missing is this: 1) Who somebody roots for is none of your business. They can root for Jr. foe his Southern twang if they want. Frankly, I think its pretty pathetic when fans devote 90% of their conversation on what they’re against as opposed to what they’re for. But hey, First Amendment works two ways and that’s why- to a certain extent- I’ll tolerate the crap between you and Ginger- though I think I’m near the end of it 2) He may not be winning but WHY NOT use his platform as the sport’s most popular driver to carry a message that I think you yourself would cheer on if anyone else carried it?
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