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maybe he is tired of being a P/C poster child like hid Daddy Jeff Gordon.
Earnhardt Jr. says late-race wreck was unfortunate for Busch also
By SceneDaily Staff
Monday, May 05, 2008
Todd Warshaw
Getty Images
CONCORD, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. was obviously upset Saturday night after being taken out of contention for a victory at Richmond International Raceway by Kyle Busch. But his anger level wasn’t nearly as high as many of his fans, and he a reason why on Monday.
Earnhardt Jr., at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for a two-day Sprint Cup Series test, said the roles were reversed last September.
“I took him out at Kansas last year during the Chase [For The Nextel Cup],” Earnhardt Jr. said. “That's really why I wouldn't be any more vocal or angry about it, because I would just be hypocritical in that sense. We both [have] been on each side of it now between the two of us.
“Hopefully, once me and him have a chance to talk about it, we can come to some kind of understanding of where we won't have to deal with it ever again, and we can just go out there and race and try to race each other with a little more respect and have a better outcome.”
In the closing laps of Saturday's race, second-place Busch was running the low line around Richmond’s .75-mile track, with Earnhardt Jr. on the outside. As the two raced into Turn 3, Busch’s car slid into Earnhardt Jr.’s, sending the No. 88 Chevrolet into the outside wall.
Earnhardt Jr. said he’s watched replays of the incident and indicated that he didn’t believe Busch took him out on purpose.
“Kyle was just running hard,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “He was running hard for the win there. Looking at all the stuff, it looks like he got loose underneath me. He was running hard there. It's unfortunate for both of us.
“We'll try to go to Darlington and have a good run and rebound a little bit, points-wise, maybe even try to win there. I ain't ever run that good there. I've done OK, but maybe with the new asphalt, I'll be more competitive as far as challenging for the lead.
“[Richmond] was just hard racing. Kyle has his style of driving. I would have been a little more … I don't know. Maybe I would have run as hard at it as he did. I don't know what I would have done.”
While Earnhardt Jr. was upset over failing to break what is now a two-year non-winning streak, he was also mad at losing points after his 15th-place finish.
“The only thing I'm upset with is not being able to get the points out of it I should have been able to get,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “We've been working hard to stay consistent all year. I want to get as good of a finish as I can with my car each week. I've been real proud of that with what we've been able to do this year and the way we've been consistent.
“It's a little bit of a bruise on the stats with what we've had this year. It won't show at the end of the year how good we really were that weekend. I want to minimize that throughout the season.”
Mentioned Drivers: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
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20 responses to "Earnhardt Jr. says late-race wreck was unfortunate for Busch also". Post a Comment.
Anonymous said:
May 5, 2008 at 1:58 PMJunior's comments show a high level of maturity that seems to me to be unreachable by drivers with the last name "Busch". Kyle getting ticked at a Hendrick crewman approaching him after the Cup race is hypocritical considering he got into Steve Wallace's face after the Nationwide race - not even letting Wallace get out of the car before confronting him.
Darrell Walls said:
May 5, 2008 at 3:50 PMIts kyle busch...he dont care who he wrecks nor when he does...its just a dif jeff gordon is all he is...its totally fine for him to get into people..but the moment it happens to him..all heck breaks lose...i applaud JR for NOT going back up to the front and smashing kyles car into the wall or w/e hes a better man than that...but i assure you the next time JR will race kyle harder than he did there and make Kyle make the mistake AGAIN...Kudos to the 88 team for the strong runs...and Im looking forward to getting all those wins you guys are gonna have...Your the #1 team at hendrick right now and it wont be that hard to keep it up!
Worm Dirt said:
May 5, 2008 at 3:57 PMKyle "getting ticked at a crewman approaching him after the race" is NOT hypocritical. What happens out on the track is between the drivers. As far as Juniors comments "showing a high level of maturity"..... I can probably agree with you there, but if I was a Junior fan (and I am NOT), I would be greatly disturbed and sad to hear my driver say........."MAYBE I would have run as hard at it as HE did. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE." If Kyle ever says something like that I'll take off my #18 pit cap (the one with all the marks from Junior fans throwing beer cans at me) and i'll burn it.
Anonymous said:
May 5, 2008 at 4:20 PMI think Nascar had better do something about Bush, He has had run in's with the truck races, nationwide and now sprint, HOW MUCH MORE ARE YOU GOING TO LET BUSH HIM GET BY WITH? If that was Jeff or Jimmie that Bush did that to on the last 2 laps He would be in the truck.
Patricia Payton said:
May 5, 2008 at 7:21 PMKyle Busch all smiles. Well how would he be looking if the race was reversed. The Nationwide Race friday/look at the videos. he didn't get wrecked when Steve Wallace taped him in his bumper but he sure showed his best side! So how and what trash would Kyle B be talking if Dale Jr wrecked him. An by the way, I read a article about Kyle B is like The Intimidator. Kyle B can't even hold a candle or fit in Dale E. Sr shoes. There's is a nickname for Kyle B. Everyone need to move on and leave Dale E Sr memory alone. Dale Jr has grown into a great person. If Dale Jr had done to Kyle B what happened in saturday race Nascar would have parked Dale Jr because he is a Earnhardt. Kyle B aggressive style driving is going to get him in trouble. Joe Gibbs Racing need to get Kyle B under control. It reflects on their team. This is not football game. Nascar Fan
Marybeth Wallick said:
May 5, 2008 at 7:58 PMHi, Uh-huh.... Marybeth
charles keith said:
May 5, 2008 at 10:40 PMgo kyle
charles keith said:
May 5, 2008 at 10:41 PMquit crying jrs
frank janes said:
May 5, 2008 at 11:39 PMI think Nascar needs to do something about Kyle Bush. He is a punk hot headed Dale Earnhardt Sr want to be. Sorry he will never make the grade. If something is not done he will end up causing a driver to really get hurt or worse.
Katie Wirick said:
May 6, 2008 at 12:44 AMI am sick and tired of people dissing other drivers. I mean come on now. Do you have nothing better to do. As for the race I feel it was Junior's and Busch's fault. Junior was too close to Kyle when he got loose, which he does a lot of the races, and Junior did not give him enough room. I am a Kyle Busch fan, but that doesn't mean I hate Junior he was even my fantasy pick for Talladega. But I am really tired of hearing about Junior's 72 race winless streak. and quite frankly each time they interview him he is downright depressing. Sometimes you should just be happy you got as close to winning as you did.
Shawn Madsen said:
May 6, 2008 at 5:40 AMWhy is it that when when two aggressive racers get together in a wreck its someone's fault? Should Kyle have let him win? Would any of you? Doubt it!! What if it was Boyer or Edwards would we even be here discussing? Unfortunately Dale is not as good a racer as most of you think and the proof is in the pudding. Better car same ole' driver.. There is no fault in this matter RACE HARD or go home..
Billie Brooks said:
May 6, 2008 at 7:18 AMI think we should all step back and take a look at the big picture and place blame where it belongs. In the closing laps Jr. had the fastest car(lap times proved that),Hamblin was running around the track with a flat tire and most likely told to stay on the track to bring out the caution because they knew Jr. was faster than Busch.If anyone is to blame its Nascar, Hamblin should have been black flagged, then he would have been off the track and this fiasco would have never taken place. Both of these drivers are very talented, one just happens to have a pleasing personality(Jr.), the other(KB), needs an attitude adjustment, which he will probably get if he stays around, happened to his brother, so hopefully it will happen to him. My gripe is with Nascar officials for allowing Hamblin to stay on the track as long as they did.
Parm McConnell said:
May 6, 2008 at 8:30 AMKyle and his brother Kurt have it out for Jr. Kudos to Jr. for not going to back to front just to get back Kyle. But what gose around comes around.
Jean Toothman said:
May 6, 2008 at 8:30 AMIt was a racing incident, period. If Kyle had meant to wreck Jr., he would have done it before turn 3 and at a previous race.
Dennis Amnott said:
May 6, 2008 at 10:24 AMI don't believe for a minute it was just a "racing incident", while I don't believe it was intended to wreck jr. intentionally either. kyle seems to run out of talent on how to make a clean pass, or is afraid to "race" for the checkers with 20 laps or under to go. Watch his pass of Johnny Benson in the truck race, or any number of drivers who have suffered from his "checkers or wreckers" style of driving. Drivers need to teach him a little respect while passing, 'cause he certainly doesn't have much talent ot maturity.
Jim Teats said:
May 6, 2008 at 6:16 PMI am not a jr fan or klye busch fan. From looking at the replay jr came down on Kyle when going into the corner. Everyonew makes to much hipe on Jr is just a average driver. Who complains to much. As far as the wredk it was a racing incident.
Gladys Bedwell said:
May 6, 2008 at 8:09 PMJim Teats - I agree with you 100%. If this race had been between lets say Bobby Labonte and Mark Martin everyone would agree and say it was hard racing but because it was Jr we have all of Junior Nation crying.
Grover rickman said:
May 7, 2008 at 8:41 PMWith JR's attiude I really don't he will ever win a race again,all anyone has to do is push him out of the way for the win,and JR will just say I bumped him a couple years ago and I had it comming oh well maybe next time I'am sorry!!!!!!!
Grover rickman said:
May 7, 2008 at 8:55 PMJr is becomming a joke as a driver, nice guys don't WIN JR,!!!!!! I want my points I should have won, Please??????
Chris Welcher said:
May 8, 2008 at 6:04 AMIm not a Bush brothers fan but im a big JR. fan. I've seen alot of finger pointing this week but i think they are pointing the wrong way. The person that cost JR. the race was Denny Hamlin, he went lap after lap on a tire they knew was flat and wouldnt make the end of the race. Then proceeded to stop on the track to bring out the yellow flag. That is what stole the win from JR.