“I Didn’t Mean To Wreck Him — I Was Just trying To Rattle His Cage!”
Dale Jr True Life follows Dale Jr’s career from the time he was 15 years old as he tells the story of his start in NASCAR. Junior talks about his early career, his father, the expectations on his shoulders, and a run in with Kurt Busch.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Here’s a few gift ideas for the NASCAR fan on your list (or maybe an early present for yourself). I’ll try to keep this list updated thriugh the holidays whenever I find a unique racing gift.
Be sure to bookmark this page. I’ll be adding Hot Deals now through Christmas.
So, what do you want for Christmas?
Jimmie Johnson Diecast on eBay
NASCAR - The IMAX Experience - DVD
Daytona 500 Tickets - Speedweek 4-Day Package
Daytona 500: 50 Years The Greatest American Race 2008 - DVD
Dale Earnhardt Jr No. 88 Zippo Lighter
Dale Earnhardt Jr Diecast Cars
Talladega Nights - The Ballad of Ricky Bobby - DVD
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Inside the Rise of a NASCAR Superstar - Book
Nascar Illustrated - Magazine Subscription
NASCAR: The Complete History - Book
ESPN Ultimate NASCAR: Collector’s Set
3 - The Dale Earnhardt Story - DVD
National Guard Zippo Dale Earnhardt Jr
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to NASCAR - Book
1998 Daytona 500: Dale Earnhardt’s Win - DVD
Dale Jr.: Shifting Gears - DVD
Junior Johnson: Brave in Life - Book
Full Throttle: The Life and Fast Times of Curtis Turner - Book
Flat Out and Half Turned Over: Tales from Pit Road with Buddy Baker - Book
Tim Richmond: The Fast Life and Remarkable Times of NASCAR’s Top Gun - Book
Fireball: Legends Don’t Fall From the Sky - Book
Best Damn Garage in Town: My Life & Adventures
Holman Moody The Legendary Race Team - Book
Richard Petty: Images of the King - Book
Photo courtesy Hendrick Motorsports
If anybody had any doubt who was going to win the championship Jimmie Johnson just erased it.
Congratulations to Jimmie on the 2008 Sprint Cup Championship, and congratulations to Carl Edwards for the win at Homestead.
Now for the bad news — the NASCAR season is over. But, on the bright side — only 90 more days until the Daytona 500.
For all the Jr. Nation fans out there — tough luck on the broken brake rotor. But more good news, did I mention the next race is Daytona?
Carl Edwards did everything in his power over the final 5 races, but it wasn’t enough to overtake Jimmie Johnson.. Edwards had 3 wins and 5 top fives in the last 5 races.
Fords haven’t always got the best gas mileage, but Carl Edwards seems to know how to get every drop out of a tank of gas. I’m sure there are a few other drivers who would like to know Carl’s secret when it comes to fuel mileage.
So what are your thoughts on Carl Edwards winning this race, and Jimmie Johnson winning the championship?
As always, this page is for you — so fire up your keyboards and give us your opinion.
Jay Busbee got the chance to watch a race from the ultimate position not long ago - on top of a pit box. Jar runs From The Marbles over at Yahoo, and he always has an interesting take on NASCAR.
Jay gives you a real inside view of that race, from being in a throng of fans on pit road just before the ‘Start Your Engines’ command, to watching Bill Elliott pit for repairs right next door.
He describes the feeling of crew members waiting for the next pit stop, and the mad excitement of the stop. He also gives you a feel for what it’s like to watch a race car scream into its pit stall.
“After a few laps, I’m gone, back to watch the race from a distance once again. It was a hell of an experience, though,” said Jay on his blog.
It must have been a pretty cool experience. If you get a chance check out Jay’s blog From The Marbles.
How would you like to work for NASCAR?
Besides having one of the ultimate fringe benefits - actually working for NASCAR - the job also has some pretty good regular benefits.
Voluntary participation benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, supplemental insurance, and long term care insurance.
At NASCAR’s employment site you can search job openings, apply online or submit your resume, or just learn more about a career with NASCAR
NASCAR is a pretty diverse organization, and there’s a job for just about everyone.
Marketing executives bring sponsors to the table and handle merchandise sales and licensing agreements with companies wanting to sell NASCAR related products. 
Engineers work at NASCAR’s research and development center in North Carolina developing standards for race cars and equipment.
Technical inspectors with mechanical backgrounds work the races inspecting cars to keep everyone within the rules.
Race officials monitor practice, qualifying and race events making calls like when to throw a yellow flag, who is the lucky dog, and when a penalty is due.
“NASCAR is truly a place where everyone matters. This is part of our heritage and our tradition. In NASCAR, you’re welcome here, and you’re appreciated here. And you always will be,” according to NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.
If I could have any job in NASCAR Brett Bodine would be out of work. He’s the pace car driver, and I think that would be a pretty cool job.
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I’ve been getting a ton of comments about ABC cutting away from the race with just over 30 laps to go. Looks like a lot of you missed the end of the race thanks to this stupid decision at ABC. I think that must stand for Anything But Competent.
Both ABC and ESPN are owned by The Walt Disney Company — but even Mickey Mouse could have handled this better. I decided to head over to ABC and launch a formal complaint. Then I thought you might want to do the same.
Here’s where to go if you want to complain directly to ABC: http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html
This page also has a link to send Sports Feedback to ESPN, but I suggest sending your comments directly to ABC as this was an executive decision by ABC.
Here are some of the comments I have received so far:
Cutting the second last race of the season off to put on Funny Video’s is just plain stupid. If NASCAR doesn’t step up and do something to ABC for this. Then I have just one more comment for NASCAR. “LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO “CART” - Gordo3 16
I like Fox. I wish that they would broadcast the whole season. — Linda
ABC leaving the race high and dry with so little laps to go was just unbelievable, especially for the people who don’t have cable. They are very disrespectful to the fans that pay their salary. - Motorsports Photography
I think it was extremely stupid of ABC to switch with just a few laps left. I don’t have ESPN, and I missed the end. — Aubrey
I think ABC did us wrong by not finishing the race on that channel. If it was a football, baseball, golf, hockey they would have finished. We need to get rid of ABC for televising races unless they play the whole race. I really wanted to see the ending of the race. - Claudia
So what does all this say for NASCAR? “It doesn’t say very much,” according to Rick Hendrick.
You can read all the comments on the Phoenix Post Race Thread. I hope ABC gets their act together - or gets out of the business of NASCAR altogether.
Was anyone really surprised that Jimmie Johnson won the Checker O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 in Phoenix. Johnson is the only one having a championship type year.
But first of all what’s up with ABC giving up the race broadcast with less than 40 laps to go. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Doesn’t ABC realize that not everyone has access to ESPN2. That’s no way to treat viewers after they’ve hung in with you all afternoon watching all your commercials. Way to take care of the fans ABC.
Hats off to NASCAR for being so fast on the red flag when Scott Speed was trapped underneath the No. 38 car. That could have been ugly. NASCAR did a great job.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray all had great runs — but once again no one had anything for Jimmie Johnson. Busch was giving it everything he had on the final 2 laps.
Are fans getting tired of Jimmie Johnson winning everything? If so, why doesn’t he get booed like Kyle Busch?
Johnson needs to finish 36th or better at Homestead to wrap up his 3rd consecutive championship.
What about the huge wreck after the checkered fell. I think that was the biggest wreck all day.
I wonder what Roger Penske thought about Ryan Newman giving Tony Stewart a push to get started after the red flag. At least Newman has only one more ride in Penske’s car, then he goes to drive for Stewart.
Is there anything you saw. A great move, or something really stupid. Here’s your chance have your say on the race. What do you say?
Honda has a powerful force in NASCAR despite never turning a lap in a race.
44 Honda dealerships in the United States are owned by NASCAR team owners, speedway owners and former drivers.
Bruton Smith’s Sonic Automotive owns 15 Honda dealerships. Bruton is the Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports which owns 7 NASCAR tracks including Lowes Motor Speedway, Texas, Bristol, Atlanta, Infineon, Las Vegas, and New Hampshire. They also own PRN Radio which airs the races on radio.
Roger Penske’s dealership group, Penske Automotive, owns 17 US Honda dealerships. Penske owns Penske Racing South which fields the No. 12, No. 2, and No. 77 in the Sprint Cup series.
Hendrick Automotive Group, headed by Rick Hendrick, owns 8 Honda dealerships. Hendrick Motorsports fields 4 cars in Sprint Cup including those driven by Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earhnardt, Jr.
There are also 3 former NASCAR drivers - with 4 championships between them - who are Honda dealers. Here’s the list. Is one of them near you?
Sonic Automotive Honda Dealerships
1. Buena Park Honda, Buena Park, CA
2. Carson Honda, Carson, CA
3. Concord Honda, Concord , CA
4. Crest Honda, Nashville, TN
5. Economy Honda Superstore, Chattanooga, TN
6. Honda West, Las Vegas, NV
7. Honda of Fort Myers, Fort Myers, FL
8. Honda of Hayward, Hayward, CA
9. Honda of Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA
10. Honda of Serramonte, Colma, CA
11. Honda of Stevens Creek, San Jose, CA
12. Honda of Tyson’s Corner, Vienna, VA
13. Lute Riley Honda, Richardson, TX
14. Pensacola Honda, Pensacola, FL
15. Poway Honda, Poway, CA
16. Steve Bailey Honda, Oklahoma City, OK
Penske Automotive Honda Dealerships
17. Capitol Honda, San Jose, CA - Penske
18. Goodson Honda North, Houston, TX
19. Goodson Honda West, Houston, TX
20. Honda Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, MI
21. Honda Mall of Georgia, Buford, GA
22. Honda Mission Valley, San Diego, CA
23. Honda North, San Diego, CA
24. Honda of Danbury, Danbury, CT
25. Honda of Escondido, Escondido, CA
26. Honda of Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR
27. Honda of Mentor, Mentor, OH
28. Honda of Nanuet, Nanuet, NY
29. Honda of Turnersville, Turnersville, NJ
30. Marin Honda, Madera, CA
31. Penske Honda, Indianapolis, IN
32. Round Rock Honda, Round Rock, TX
33. Tempe Honda, Tempe, AZ
Hendrick Automotive Group Honda Dealerships
34. Darrell Waltrip Honda, Franklin, TN — Hendrick
35. Gwinnett Place Honda, Duluth, GA
36. Hendrick Honda of Charleston, Charleston, SC
37. Hendrick Honda Virginia, Woodbridge, VA
38. Honda Cars of El Cerrito, El Cerrito, CA
39. Honda Cars of McKinney, McKinney, TX
40. Honda Cars of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC
41. Honda Cars of Concord, Concord, NC
Drivers Who Own Honda Dealerships
42. Cale Yarborough Honda, Florence, SC
43. Rusty Wallace Honda, Knoxville, TN
44. Dick Brooks Honda, Greer, SC
How much longer do you think Honda will sit by and watch Toyota race in NASCAR?
Sponsors:
Jeff Gordon isn’t exactly the perfect spokesperson for Nicorette. Back in the day David Pearson and Dick Trickle used to smoke during the race - Pearson even had a cigarette lighter installed in his No. 21 Mercury.
Pearson and Trickle would have done a better job representing this sponsor. Just have them use Nicorette to quit smoking.
I’ve never seen Jeff Gordon smoke a cigarette, so I can’t imagine him using Nicorette. But according to Raygan Swan over 350 people in the NASCAR circle have quit smoking thanks to Nicorette.
So what exactly is Nicorette? It’s a medical chewing gum that helps reduce your craving for nicotine and makes it easier to quit smoking.
According to the company’s website “Nicorette provides a controlled amount of nicotine to your system at a slower, less intense pace than cigarettes. It works as a temporary aid to help you quit smoking by reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms until your body no longer needs nicotine.”
Nicorette is an over the counter medication that’s available without a prescription. They’ve signed on to be the sponsor of Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet in select races through 2010.
NASCAR has come a long way from the days when R.J Reynolds handed out free cigarettes at the races and sponsored the Winston Cup.
If you really want to quit smoking I recommend giving Nicorette a try. You can find Nicorette at Amazon.
