Earnhardt Has
a Hill to Climb, and Climbing Fences
July 6, 2006
Joe Jacobs - SCR
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the Budweiser
No. 8 team might be solidly in the chase sitting 3rd in the points, but they have a hill to climb when it comes to restrictor
plate racing.
His performance at the last three
plate races has been less than stellar. He was a non-issue last Saturday night at Daytona in the Pepsi 400. At Talladega he
was running mid-pack for most of the race and then he crashed. The Daytona 500 in February has been his best finish at a plate
track, he finished 8th.
The DEI dominance at the plate races
is over, which for years has been DEI’s claim to fame. The one good thing about this for Dale Jr. fans is the teams
over all performance has improved, but being an Earnhardt means being feared when the plates go on.
If Earnhardt and the No. 8 team wants
to regain there strangle hold on plate racing they need to get back to basics which should bring the performance back.
They need to do it now as there is
a plate race (Talladega) during the “Chase” and those points could
decide the 2006 Champion.
In another story coming out of Daytona,
Tony Stewart has to be the new champion of the people. Whether by accident or on purpose Stewart joined the legions of fans
in the grandstand after winning the Pepsi 400 and they were chanting his name.
By jumping in amongst the people he
showed his lighter side, and thus assuring himself as a fan favorite.
Rumor has it that Stewart and/or NASCAR
wants to put a stop to the fun because of safety reasons. However if this practice is stopped by Stewart or NASCAR this will
be a shame. The fans, the television audience, and even Stewart’s crew enjoyed it and, it’s the only true way
to celebrate a win.
NASCAR should make sure that safety
measures are in place so a driver could celebrate the way he chooses, with the fans or in Victory lane.
2006 StockCar Review.
