I'm quoting more for context than really a reply.

My husband is a fan, and I usually watch for the replays of the wrecks while I'm doing doing other stuff. I didn't see the race today, though.

I think that NASCAR has done an excellent job with advertising and marketing driver personalities, and because people feel a connection to the drivers, as artificial as those connections may be, it brings in folks who don't really care who can drive the fastest. Other forms of racing haven't done so much with maybe the exception of a little flurry around Danica Patrick.

Old fans of NASCAR may be driven crazy by this, but it seems to have been successful for the drivers and the products they advertise. Maybe more than any other "sport," people can tell you what product is associated with what personality because the sponsorship is right on the car.

In general the ads with drivers are excellent, lighthearted and funny and they promote driver, product and the events all at once. That's good stuff.

I went to the race yesterday, my first NASCAR race ever. It was a lot of fun and will be back next year, if not this fall. I didn't get to do the camping beforehand, although that is a lot of fun as well. We just drove early in the morning to the race.

Respectfully disagreeing...

NO - they may have said it was for the post-race media conference, but we all know the truth - Tony has the balls to call the "sport" what it is & they didn't like it. They also said that until he made those comments, they were willing to let it go - only AFTER the comments were made, did they impose the $10K fine & probation until Dec 31st. SERIOUSLY - the rest of the YEAR on probation :confused: :mad:

NASCAR is doing exactly what Tony accused them of -- CHANGING THE RULES TO SUIT THEM. He has his own radio show on Sirius - how many people would never have known about the comments if they didn't make such a big deal about it? Its not like he said it during the post race interview where literally millions of fans watch/listen. Heck - he's my favorite driver, and I have Sirius radio and even I wasn't listening to it!

If NASCAR is worried about losing fans over his comments, then maybe its time for them to look in the mirror & think about all these sudden changes they keep throwing in each week.

^^ the above is not intended to be aimed to or at MJo19 - I am simply quoting off the post for reference :)

No offense taken. :) I was skeptical about the probation until the
31st. I mean..it was JUST a post-race conference. It wasn't like he intentially harmed another driver or put another driver in danger. If the fine was for him talking badly about Nascar..why didn't they fine Kyle Busch for his comments at Bristol and how awful terrible nasty the COT was. I was there and some of his comments were a little shocking for someone who just won a race. Interesting......

77 wins 4 championships and more money won than any driver in NASCAR history, and he sucks and he's a fag?

Yeah, o.k. dude.:rolleyes:

Could Jr. Drive a Ford?
 

While talks between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and DEI continue, officials are now talking with other Nextel Cup teams about a partnership, one which could lead to a switch from Chevrolet to Ford.

Try Robert Yates racing.

Anyone hear about this?

Jr. said yesterday that the prospect of DEI switching to Ford was laughable, and that there's no way he's in anything but a Chevy. I think Yates switching is much more likely, despite his comments. However, Ford, Dodge and Toyota are all getting dominated right now, so I imagine Ford wouldn't let Yates go w/o a fight.

Kyle Busch is such a tool. I hate that kid, and he really is dangerous on the track. The only person I think is a more dangerous driver is Jason Leffler.

Sucks about RIR getting rained out, I won't get to see it now.

Hold on Jr. fans...speculations are that tomorrow during his 11am press conference he will announce he is leaving DEI. Truex is going with him. He and Truex will run next year for JR Motorsports and use Hendrick built engines. Woah. Again this is all speculation, but multiple news agencies are reporting close to the same thing... Can I nominate Teresa for dumbass of the year now?

Now I have also heard that Jr. will not be announcing where he will go (Charlotte Observer), what he will do next year. Think of him as a "free agent" Wow... Jr. the sport's most popular driver 4 times running a free agent. If Sr. were around DEI would be a little more on top of things. He needs to reach down and smack Teresa upside the head. DEI was built to ensure the success of Sr.'s children...so much for that. I wonder who DEI will try to get for when they leave.

Awwww..but I like Kenny. When I was at Bristol he put on a Jr. shirt in front of the Race Day crowd. It was pretty cool. Maybe some of the current Toyota drivers will be fed up with Toyota to go drive for DEI. I am sad to *possibly* see the #8 go. What number will Jr. drive? Is there still a # 08 available?

Yeah, I would hate to see the #8 go too. The only thing about Kenny that's cool is he's funny as hell. Not quite as funny as Waltrip, but he's funny. Most of these guys race just for the money. They don't care about winning. I think about maybe 10% of the drivers today race to win. Back in the day I think the percentage was much higher.

Hey, has Waltrip even qualified for a race this year. He really sucks. LOL. I think the whole Toyota team with the exception of Vickers isn't that good. Dale Jarrett doesn't count. He's just getting old. He won the Winston cup in 99, so he's had his day.

Again so true. I could see DEI reaching out to a younger driver like Vickers and even pulling at DJ to come over. Poor Mickey. I miss his after race talks where he mentions every sponsor on his car. I enjoyed that. I am just very disappointed the Jr. might be leaving. I can't wait to see what Darrell has to say about this whole situation.

DW is the funniest guy in NASCAR. I laugh everytime he's on. I remember when Ken Schrader was racing the Little Debbie car last season, and everytime he made a pass, DW was saying that Little Debbie is smiling and saying "Great job Kenny." That was funny. Yeah, I remember when Waltrip used to name all of his sponsors on his car. That was hilarious.

I agree, that would be a smart move to pull Vickers into DEI. He's a good driver.

I think the only reason why Jr. hasn't won a championship is because of Teresa. If it wasn't for her poor management I think he would have at least 2 Nextel Cups by now.

I think Gordon is doing well, but I would be surprised if he wins a Nextel Cup this season. The way they changed the the Chase format, I think Johnson will get another one. I never have been a big fan of the Chase format. Yes, it makes it more exciting, but I think it's unfair to the sponsors.