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Earnhardt Jr.'s driving style matches short-track racing well

By SceneDaily Staff

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Article Rating: 5.0
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. likes racing on some of NASCAR's fastest tracks, but he says that racing at a short track such as Bristol Motor Speedway offers more familiar turf. That makes the thought of heading back to the track for Saturday night's Sharpie 500 more enjoyable.
   
Earnhardt Jr. won at the track with Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2004. In 17 starts there, he also has seven top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. He has led 743 laps.
   
"I'm looking forward to Bristol because I've had some success there, and it's good short-track racing," he said. "Although I like racing at the Michigans and Atlantas because they are fast and you can choose your groove, I've grown up racing at short tracks and just like them. We did good last time at Bristol, so hopefully we can be consistent and finish next weekend out from start to finish."
   
Now, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is looking to build on that success. He's fourth in the series standings with three races to go before the 12-driver field is set for the Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup, so he seems comfortably set there. Another win would equal 10 bonus points once the Chase begins.
   
Crew chief Tony Eury Jr. sees this as a chance for Earnhardt Jr. to perform well once more.
   
"I think it's just a track that fits his style," he said. "It takes a rhythm, and it's fast-paced. He's raced there a ton of laps on simulation,
and I think it just fits his driving style. We've run good there ever since we were in the Busch cars. We've always run really well there. We've won one time, but it just seems like we've had really good cars just not capitalized on them."
   
Spotter T.J. Majors agrees. He says he has to be on his toes at the small oval – but that it's certainly fun to be in that position with his
driver.
   
"Bristol is a tough place to spot for sure," he said. "I just pay extra attention and keep my eyes open. I have to make sure I watch Dale Jr. and at least half the track in front of him because he will be there in a matter of seconds. Dale Jr. is good at Bristol, and, to be honest, it's really fun to watch him there. He is good at making holes for himself. It's fun working with someone who knows his way around there."
   
Eury says that practice this weekend will be important. At Bristol, the Cup teams practice from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT Friday, qualify at 3:40 and then have a final practice from 6:15 to 7:20 in preparation for Saturday night's race. The practices this weekend will help teams get a handle on the changes needed when going from racing in a cool March event to a hot August night.
    
"It will definitely be hotter, so you really have to pay attention to the grip level of the car during practice," he said. "As the night comes,
the car is definitely going to tighten up. You've just got to really pay attention to not overadjust the car and tighten it up too much because as the night comes on, it's just going to get tighter and tighter."

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Comments

19 responses to "Earnhardt Jr.'s driving style matches short-track racing well "
  1. 1
    beth emerson said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 11:16 AM

    I agree that it does suit Jrs style.But I think he is good no matter what track it is. He has issues with the road courses but I look for him to be there at the end Sat night. Look for the 88 in the winners circle on Sat night.

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  2. 2
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 11:34 AM

    I t's going to be interesting.

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  3. 3
    carrie baker said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 2:17 PM

    i agree. junior dominates and loves the short tracks. he is good no matter what track and has issues with the road courses. it should be a great race!!!!

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  4. 4
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 3:27 PM

    His last five race average is 7. Finished 5th in the spring race. We could see some major points day won or lost. Going around the track in 15 seconds is not good for the guys in the back. I have a feeling Carl & Kyle will get into each other. Rock The House Jr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. 5
    Diamond_56 said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 5:39 PM

    It's Bristol baby!!!!! Do what you do best. Pull those straps down tight, put the pedal to the metal and let's get to Victory Lane!! Leave that #18 in your rear view mirror. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  6. 6
    mike williams said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 7:52 PM

    if tony jr keeps putting air in the front tire to help a tight race car jr,s in trouble again to fix a tight race car on a trace like bristol you put air in the rr and a little out of the lf!!!!!!!

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  7. 7
    emily bagwell said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 7:58 PM

    Ditto, Diamond!!!! Just do it, Junior!!!!

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  8. 8
    mike williams said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 7:58 PM

    good luck jr you,ll need it with tony jr as your crew chief

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  9. 9
    4da88 said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 9:11 PM

    Ahhhh..Bristol...playground to the super NASCAR stars. After a few weeks of disappointing finishes hopefully Junior and team have gotten their act together and will provide an exciting race. And thanks; nice article.

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  10. 10
    John Lockhart said:
    Aug 21, 2008 at 11:38 PM

    I love BRISTOL,even with the new pavement and the second groove.It's going to be a great race!Dale JR.has recieved the most points there,than any driver,now is the time for a BIG WIN!GET IT DONE JR.

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  11. 11
    William Bartz said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 5:12 AM

    Tony Jr: "...We've always run really well there. We've won one time, but it just seems like we've had really good cars just not capitalized on them."" Not capitalize on them? Hmmm! That seems to be a reaccuring theme/nightmare. Time to re-group team Amp/NationalGuard. Qualify well and WIN THE RACE!!!! Your Championship Awaits!

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  12. 12
    Susan Coley said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 5:17 AM

    Yes, Dale Jr. will do great........especially since he has Tony Jr. as his crew chief!!(refer to comment #8) This is one of Jr.'s best track's and Tony can and will help him get to Victory Lane!! If you are gonna bash, then just don't comment!! Now, have a great Friday~~

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  13. 13
    Chazzo Ozzahc said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 6:45 AM

    Junebug will run up front,lead some laps, then with 2 to go he'll have to pit for gas. Thats if Tony Jr brings his "A" game.

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  14. 14
    Chazzo Ozzahc said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 6:52 AM

    Junebug will run up front,lead some laps, then with 2 to go he'll have to pit for gas. Thats if Tony Jr brings his "A" game.

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  15. 15
    Carrie K said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 7:23 AM

    I hope that Dale Jr leads the end of the race and not the begining. Everytime he starts off leading, something causes him to finish poorly. I wonder if Saturday night at Bristol will be any different?. Not as optimistic as I was in the begining of the racing season. Had a lot of hopeful "dreams" then. No matter what I will cheer Dale Jr on. But he needs to pump it up real fast.

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  16. 16
    Anonymous said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 7:45 AM

    Go Jr. and Jr. I smell championship this year. Kyle and Carl - hah!! 88 all the way

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  17. 17
    John Lockhart said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 8:59 AM

    WOW! It's great to see all the Dale Jr. fans excited again.Have a great weekend people,see ya in VICTORY LANE DALE JR.!

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  18. 18
    4da88 said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 4:16 PM

    He has his work cut out for him. He has started far back in the pack more than once and had good finishes. Has looked better in happy hour, but still complaining car is not handling well.

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  19. 19
    Mark Ernst said:
    Aug 22, 2008 at 4:37 PM

    In 2006 Junior started 40th and finished 3rd. Fifth in happy hour. Maybe this will have the 88 crew on their A game. Pit crew, why does it take eighteen seconds for tires and fuel? Jr can pit in first and come out tenth. Thats not how it's done. Don't you guy's practice? Get R Dun!!!!!!!!!!!!

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