Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. make it into NASCAR Hall of Fame?
Who Will Make it into the NASCAR Hall of Fame?
Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. make it in? What about Jeff Gordon, or Tony Stewart or Jimmie Johnson — or what about Kyle Busch?
There’s no doubt that drivers like Richard Petty, David Pearson and Dale Earnhardt will go into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. They’ll probably be the first ones to go in.
But which of today’s drivers will go into the Hall of Fame?
It’s too soon to tell on Dale Jr. If his career continues the way it has the last 3 years it will be hard to make a case for putting Junior into the Hall of Fame.
If his career had continued the way it started Junior would be a lock for the Hall of Fame. In fact, he would probably be a Champion by now.
After all Dale Jr. has 18 Cup wins and 2 Nationwide Series Championships.
He’s off to a good start, he just needs to close the deal
But if Dale Jr., Tony Eury Jr., and the rest of the No. 88 team bring their A Game in 2009 — if they lead laps, win poles and races, and make a competitive run at the Championship it will be a step in the right direction.
Jeff Gordon likely already has a spot guaranteed in the Hall based on his 4 Championships and 81 wins in 17 years.
Same for Jimmie Johnson with 3 straight Championships.
But who else in today’s class of drivers have what it takes to make it into the NASCAR Hall of Fame?
For drivers like Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards it’s too soon to tell. It depends on how the rest of their careers go. Do these drivers have staying power — or was 2008 just a flash in the pan?
Time will tell.
What’s your prediction — which drivers racing now will eventually make it into the Hall of Fame, and why do you think they’ll make it?
Photo courtesy Hendrick Motorsports
Elliott Sadler Fired by GEM
Elliott Sadler Replaced by Allmendinger at GEM
Elliott Sadler has been released by Gillett Evernham Motorsports from the No. 19 Sprint Cup Dodge for 2009. Sadler will be replaced by AJ Allmendinger.
Allmendinger was hired by GEM to finish the final 5 races in the 2008 season replacing Patrick Carpentier in the No. 10 Dodge. He was able to improve the No. 10 cars performance, though he never scored a top 10 finish in those 5 races.
“They asked AJ to do a job, and he exceeded their expectations,” said Tara Ragan, Allmendinger’s business manager.
I knew that Allmendinger would find a ride — he’s an extremely talented driver. I’m just disappointed that it came at Elliott Sadler’s expense.
NASCAR TV Network
Would you watch the NASCAR TV Network?
NASCAR is the only major sport in America without its own Network. We’ve got the Golf Channel, the NFL Network, and the Major League Baseball Network is coming in January – but still no NASCAR Network.
But the talk keeps getting louder that NASCAR will start its own network to carry more in-depth coverage of the sport.
Would you like to see NASCAR come out with its own Network? If so, what would you like to see on the NASCAR Network?
I don’t think you’ll see live races – NASCAR is not going to compete with its major TV partners on that one.
But you could see race replays – maybe condensed versions of Sunday’s race on Monday night that only last for an hour or two.
Maybe we could get a better post race show that lasts for an hour or so and really breaks down the race and interviews more people after the checkered flag flies.
After all, the networks that carry the race are ready to go to another show as soon as the winner climbs out of the car – and sometimes before. Remember what happened at Phoenix earlier this year when ABC dropped their coverage with just a few laps to go.
The NASCAR Network would also be a great place to learn more about the history of NASCAR. Lets interview some of the people who have made NASCAR what is is today.
So – would you like to see the NASCAR Network? What kind of programming would you like to see on it? Would you be willing to pay a little extra to see the NASCAR Network? If so, how much would it be worth?
Give us your comments. I’ll forward them on to NASCAR so they will know how the fans feel about a NASCAR Network.
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Start Your Own Race Team
Want To Race in the Daytona 500?
All you need are a few sponsor decals to go on this car, a car number, and — oh, yeah approval from NASCAR.
But if you can get that, and you can pass inspection and qualify then you can race in the Daytona 500. All you have to do is go on eBay and buy this race car.
Okay, maybe it’s not that simple — but this is a COT with a new engine that has an opening bid of $15,000.
It would make a great hobby racer or promotional show car.
It would be fun to paint this car like Junior’s and drive it down Talladega Boulevard on race weekend. Or if you want free beer at Talladega just paint it like Jeff Gordon’s car — I guarantee they’ll throw beer cans at you.
Dale Earnhardt with Dale Jr Video
Interview with Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr
Do you want to get an inside look at Dale Earnhardt Jr’s relationship with his Father? If so you have to watch this video.
You can listen to Dale Earnhardt say “People come up to me and say you’re Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Dad? Pretty cool.”
Dale Earnhardt also talks about what he hoped to see in his Son — and DEI — in the future “All I hope is you do well enough when I retire from driving I can be a nice comfortable car owner with a winning driver,” said the elder Earnhardt. Too bad it didn’t work out that way.
The two Earnhardts also debate who is the better driver.
“When I was his age I was a lot better than he is now,” The Intimidator said.
But Junior would not hear of that. “I think it’s the other way around – I think I”m a little better than he was at 23,” said Dale Jr.
Dale tried to give his Son some advice in a round about way that Junior might listen to it.
“I remember my dad telling me the dos and don’ts of life,” Dale Earnhardt Sr. said. “You never believe what your dad says, and it always came true.”
“I sorta let him learn it on his own and help it when it needs help. Hopefully we can keep the driver going in the right direction and everything will work well.”
Watch this video and let us know what you think.
Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Favorite Quote
Earnhardt Likes President’s Quote
This is one of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s favorite quotes according to his page at Infield Parking. These are not Dale Jr’s words — they’re Abraham Lincoln’s. But Junior must have got a lot out of them to say this is his favorite quote.
It’s pretty patriotic and timeless — the words are as meaningful today as they were 170 years ago.
Here it is. What do you think?
At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!
All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected?
I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. — By Abraham Lincoln — from The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume I, “Address Before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois.”
Sprint Sound and Speed 2009
Meet Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Nashville for Sound and Speed.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is going to be in Nashville in January for Sprint Sound and Speed 2009. Nashville is one of my favorite cities even when NASCAR is not in town — so I might have to pack things up and head over there.
The event will include an autograph session with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Michael Waltrip and a few other NASCAR drivers including Reed Sorenson, Aric Almirola and David Stremme.
Country Music artists Josh Turner, Eddie Montgomery Troy Gentry, among others, will also be there. Montgomery Gentry will be in concert Friday January 9 at Sommet Center in downtown Nashville.
NASCAR show cars will be on display, and a charity auction will be held with proceeds going to The Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Earnhardt , Waltrip and the other NASCAR drivers are set to appear at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, January 10, 2009.
NASCAR broadcaster Eli Gold, and Winston Kelley, the director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame will also be there.
Photo courtesy Hendrick Motorsports
Dale Earnhardt Guitars
Dale Earnhardt No. 3 The Intimidator Gibson Les Paul Guitars
I wish I could play guitar — I’d like to have these guitars anyway.
I found these Dale Earnhardt Gibson Les Paul Guitars on eBay. They’re being sold as a pair. The guitars are limited editions designed by Sam Bass. Only 333 of each guitar were ever made.
Maybe I could take guitar lessons.
See the ebay listing with more photos here
Dale Earnhardt Jr Video of The Year
Dale Earnhardt Jr Video of The Year on NASCAR.com
This video from GrannyD1951 won the Fan’s Choice Award for Community Video of the Year at NASCAR.com.
I think the fans made a great choice. Watch it and tell us what you think. Do you know someone else who would want to watch this video? Be sure to spread the word.
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Jimmie Johnson Photos From New York
Photo Gallery: Jimmie Johnson in New York
Jimmie Johnson was in New York to receive the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Trophy. Here are some photos of Jimmie as he made his way around New York for the festivities.
Johnson stands in Central Park with The Sprint Cup.
Jimmie Johnson and Brian France
Johnson accepts the Sportsman of The Year award at the annual March of Dimes Luncheon.
Johnson and his posse at the New York Stock Exchange.
The Sprint Cup.
Jimmie and Chandra Johnson with The Sprint Cup.
Photos Courtesy Hendrick Motorsports
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