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Earnhardt Jr. says NASCAR meeting raised awareness about recent comments

By SceneDaily Staff

Friday, June 13, 2008

Article Rating: 4.0
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BROOKLYN, Mich. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. says that today's closed-door meeting with NASCAR officials made him think about some of the comments he has made concerning NASCAR's new model Sprint Cup car.
   
Earnhardt Jr. said that he listened and recognized the impression fans get from the negative talk about the car that is being used in all Cup races this season. He also said that NASCAR is doing more behind-the-scenes work with the new model than he was aware of.
   
The car, which debuted on intermediate tracks this season after being run in 16 races last year, has drawn constant fire from drivers who feel passing is too difficult in the new model.
   
Earnhardt Jr. has not been a fan of the model, though he has run well in it and is third in the driver standings this season.
   
Still, the Hendrick Motorsports' driver said that the private talk made an impression on him. He did not reveal the specifics of the conversation but did offer his impression of it.
   
"My interpretation was that the drivers should be thankful for the position they're in and should be more positive in where this car is going to be in a year or two and more … it reminds me a lot of working with video-game developers. And the reason why the analogy works is because the public wants to know how good the game is. The public wants to know what's being fixed. Once the game is released, there's a lot of buzz and stuff, just like with this race car, and the public wants to know when it's going to be fixed, what's being worked on, what's going to be added, and a lot of companies are not eager to give that information out until it's done and Finished, and I see NASCAR with that same attitude," he said. "I think they do a lot of work behind the scenes, and they probably agree with us more than we tend to believe.
   
"They understand that the car is new, and that it's going to evolve, and we're going to learn more, and maybe three years from now we'll look back at what we have today and say, 'Man, can you believe that's the way we did it'  because there will be some things we'll find that will just be like, 'Man, that's way better; let's go in that direction.' So I think they're doing more than we give them credit for. They're thinking and working and trying and wanting to improve and that we should, us drivers, should do less complaining."
   
Earnhardt Jr. didn't seem upset at all about the meeting, which was called at Michigan International Speedway this morning and seemed to surprise drivers. In fact, he said that listening to NASCAR President Mike Helton's comments "gave me a whole lot clearer view of the situation than I had, and I appreciate Mike and NASCAR for thinking that it was a good opportunity today to have that."
   
Specifically, Earnhardt Jr. said it gave him pause over some of the criticism he's offered concerning the car.
   
"I was pretty critical and overly critical at times, and the only reason why the drivers are like that is because they want, we feel like our best avenue is through the media because it's very effective … but at the same time not only NASCAR reads those opinions, and it's not good for the sport," he said. "If I enjoy what I do and I'm having fun and want to be here and want to be around for a while, I shouldn't tell people not to buy tickets."
   
Earnhardt Jr. said that the car is in a critical phase right now and that it is still evolving. He expects NASCAR to test some new ideas and see where that leads them.
   
He also said that he now understands that NASCAR will continue to work on the car, something that wasn't as clear to him before the talk.
   
"As a driver you just pent up the anguish that you had about the situation, and you misinterpret NASCAR's position and their approach and what their really doing," he said. "They're doing a lot with the car now. They're coming up with some new ideas and new ways to make the car not quite as sensitive in dirty air, and they'll be testing that soon, hopefully.... I think it's great that they feel like the car can evolve. It should, as every car that's been involved in the sport has evolved. This car should as well. I feel like they know that, and they're open to it … You want to make the car where it has more front grip and drives better in dirty air and turns down in the corner better, at the same time, I like the way the rules are stricter on this car. It's a very difficult situation to have both."

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Comments

8 responses to "Earnhardt Jr. says NASCAR meeting raised awareness about recent comments"
  1. 1
    Anonymous said:
    Jun 13, 2008 at 1:41 PM

    Good thoughtful comments from Junebug help all of us understand Nascar alot better.

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  2. 2
    S Beau said:
    Jun 13, 2008 at 2:11 PM

    So essentially NASCAR wants drivers to keep quiet so they don't keep giving the fans the impression that the racing is currently bad ? Despite the fact the tv coverage shows otherwise

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  3. 3
    Mary Froehlich said:
    Jun 13, 2008 at 2:22 PM

    Dale Jr.s comments all sounded very nice, but I sensed a little "Yes sir NASCAR." I hope not. I was at the Dover race, and that was the worst race I ever saw. If NASCAR wants to improve the COT, why wasn't a lot more work put into it before they put it on the track. NASCAR says they are concerned about the fans, but it is the fans who are putting out millions of dollars to see second-rate races.

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  4. 4
    Francine D'Alonzo said:
    Jun 13, 2008 at 5:05 PM

    I respected what the drivers had to say on new car until NASCAR stepped in to monitor/program them...but what I see on the track is lack of side by side racing, no passing..get out front on pit road - not the track. NASCAR can spin it any way they want, but I believe what I see.

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  5. 5
    Judi Bechard said:
    Jun 14, 2008 at 3:52 AM

    You go along to get along. It sounds to me like NASCAR stepped in, as only NASCAR can, and gave the drivers "the talk". I don't doubt that NASCAR continues to look at the car and ways to improve its on track performance...but I wonder if they would be "inspired" to improve if the stands were full? and the ratings were going up? But the other side is that they tend to make a change that negatively (even if temporarily) effects most of the teams because the cost of the change is born by the teams, not NASCAR. An unfunded mandate of sorts. I'm a fan. I'm still going to watch. I'm still going to buy. But you're going to have to tape my mouth shut if you don't want to hear what I have to say.

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  6. 6
    Becky Stewart said:
    Jun 14, 2008 at 4:57 AM

    Dale Jr. has matured as a driver and a businessman. The media can create much out of a comment. He is smart to listen. I am an elementary educator and so many young ones identify "Dale Jr" as their hero. He fan audience is widespread. My 80 year old mother thinks Dale Jr. is the man. It is a wise person that really thinks about a vocal statement that may be nationwide.

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  7. 7
    Bob Earnhardt said:
    Jun 14, 2008 at 4:58 AM

    Dale jr. loves the sport and is a product of its history. He is in for the long run and is reflecting on the importance of putting people in the stands versus just his personal needs. This never has been more important now with costs at an all time high and an economy that is not in a position to fully support the sport. He is not taking the "party line" but pointing out the importance of supporting NASCAR for the overall good of the sport not just his personal gain.

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  8. 8
    James Eason said:
    Jun 15, 2008 at 7:36 PM

    You can count the really good races this year on one hand. Well I would probally be hard pressed to say there has been a good race. It seems to be more of a pit road race, first out leads, normally; until the next round of pit stops. I have sat in the stands through my last boring race. I can be bored in front of a TV a lot cheaper. AND NOW NASCAR WANTS THE DRIVERS TO NOT COMMENT ON THE CAR OR THE RACE. They will probally try to censor the media next.

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