Dale Earnhardt Jr drove the #5 Hendick Motorsports Chevrolet to the finish of the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday. No, I don't believe that this was a negotiating ploy by the Earnhardt siblings designed to pressure Theresa E into a new contract. I'm not really sure what it was.
First, Junior gets caught up in the second Tony Stewart spin of the day. There was an earlier spin that Tony very vocally blamed on rookie Juan Pablo Montoya. I watched a lot of video on this. I agree with Boris Said.
Boris said "this was just a racing deal. Tony has to realize that Montoya was one of the most aggressive formula one drivers I've ever seen. He is going to race to win. He won't back down."
He didn't. Jimmy Johnson got caught up in this spin.
Back to Junior, who now was in second place and contending for a needed win. Blinded by the smoke from Smoke's second spin - this time it was those damn, aggressive, rookie tires, or something - Dale checked up and was tail-ended hard by Kyle Busch, in the #5. It looked like both cars were toast.
Surprisingly, a tantrum ensued. Kyle Busch has left the racetrack. The thing is, the number 5 was still breathing.
Enter THE MOST POPULAR DRIVER IN NASCAR. Did you see the way people went absolutely crazy when he passed Jeff Gordon for the lead midway through the race? The number five hasn't been as loved by fans since Texas Terry Labonte climbed out, as it was today when Dale Jr climbed in and drove a few laps.
Earnhardt didn't need to volunteer to drive that car. He and his team had seen a promising day go south and many of his fellow drivers would have pulled a Busch. Or a Tony. Junior, instead, helped another team, whose driver had split. He earned the team 3 extra points, too.
After the race, Hendrick crown prince, Jeff Gordon was less than happy saying that maybe letting a competitor drive one of the Hendrick mounts was akin to aiding and abetting the enemy.
I think Gordon, somehow, heard those cheers for Junior while he was being passed. And he probably realizes that, nice as he is, Dale Earnhardt Jr, given the ride, will give him all he can handle.
Picture credit - NBC Sports
The Junior saga continues!
Posted by: Vroom! | April 16, 2007 at 04:34 AM
Just one question: Are those two "rookies" Jr. is toying with or grizzled old vets that have been in the DEI stable for a while?
Posted by: marc | April 16, 2007 at 05:31 AM
I like it when Smoke gets angry
Posted by: racefan57 | April 16, 2007 at 05:31 AM
Vroom, I think it will be a long saga, and I look forward to being there.
Race fan, Smoke is a throwback and that is not a bad thing.
Marc, I am of the belief that, there are no rookies in the Cup Series, poetic license excused.
Posted by: charlie | April 17, 2007 at 12:07 AM